Pallet forks suppose to be loose or SSQA bracket improperly made?

[Fallon]

I understand. I tend to avoid Harbor Freight or Walmart for a lot of stuff, but sometimes cheap semi-disposable stuff is a better answer than the more expensive options.

 

[TomSeller]

, the warranty has been voided because you modified it from factory specs.
.

Therein lies the problem. There were no factory specs they built it to. That is why we are talking.

My guess is these are Chinese and that is why they never have fixed the underlying issue of fabrication. They probably make $75 per unit and just call it a wash when they have a problem rather than try to fix the issue through a language/cultural barrier. If you look at the steel in one of those forks, you would have a hard time buying it for what they charge.

 

[merlynr]

I bought a "Dirt Dog" brand front bale spike with qa and it fit just like the front bucket from the factory with no play when you tighten the levers. Quality piece.

 

[ovrszd]

Therein lies the problem. There were no factory specs they built it to. That is why we are talking.

My guess is these are Chinese and that is why they never have fixed the underlying issue of fabrication. They probably make $75 per unit and just call it a wash when they have a problem rather than try to fix the issue through a language/cultural barrier. If you look at the steel in one of those forks, you would have a hard time buying it for what they charge.

I agree Tom. But it still aggravates me that we as a people are willing to sell out our standards to make a buck. There's no real excuse for this. I totally understand having something built in China if it increases profit margins. But that's no excuse to ignore standards. The Chinese, or any other nation including Mexico that's building products for us will only build them to whatever standards we enforce. If we reject anything below that standard, they will comply. If not, they will continue to make and sell us junk. It's simple human nature. We'd do it to them too.

 

[Herkypilot]

Richard,
Remember the term "Japanese Junk"? That was thrown around in the '60's & 70's relating to Japanese manufactured equipment. I don't think anyone associates Japanese made equipment with "Junk" anymore, do you?

Remaining comment not directed at Richard...
I've heard that these fitment issues seem to be more of a Kubota SSQA problem as Kubota is slightly off on their standard compared to others. Anyone here have a different experience? Do you think a company like "WildKat", who by the way MAKES their equipment on-site, would stay in business long if ALL their products didn't fit skid-steer equipment right? As far as their company, it isn't a "China" issue at all. Btw, WildKat's shop is 40 miles from my house, I've been there multiple times.

 

[TomSeller]

I agree Tom. But it still aggravates me that we as a people are willing to sell out our standards to make a buck. There's no real excuse for this. I totally understand having something built in China if it increases profit margins. But that's no excuse to ignore standards. The Chinese, or any other nation including Mexico that's building products for us will only build them to whatever standards we enforce. If we reject anything below that standard, they will comply. If not, they will continue to make and sell us junk. It's simple human nature. We'd do it to them too.

You are exactly right. Since Titan has been doing this refund for years I have no other explanation for it. Price talks so they sell a lot. I bought one of their ssqa adapter plates to weld to an old bucket and it was spot on dimensionally. So they obviously know the correct dimensions.

 

[TomSeller]

I've heard that these fitment issues seem to be more of a Kubota SSQA problem as Kubota is slightly off on their standard compared to others. Anyone here have a different experience? Do you think a company like "WildKat", who by the way MAKES their equipment on-site, would stay in business long if ALL their products didn't fit skid-steer equipment right? As far as their company, it isn't a "China" issue at all. Btw, WildKat's shop is 40 miles from my house, I've been there multiple times.

I have a Wildkat that fits loosely and none of my 3 SSQA attachment ends are made by Kubota. The Wildkat fits loosely on each. To some extent I want a little slop if I am working in mud or ice and I have some buildup over time I can still get the pins down.

 

[Herkypilot]

Interesting Tom. I wonder what template/standard measurement Wildkat is using then? I believe they work on Bobcats at their shop too so I'd have to believe there are no problems with hooking up to them. Anyhow, the price was right and now, after adding shims, they fit tight.

HP

 

[Fallon]

Welded it up last night. Found out I was out of larger sized filler rod & had some shielding gas issues, but I got the job done... Barely. It held up to some abuse with a quick spade.


Don't laugh at the weld quality. Will finish it up when I get some bigger filler rod.

 

[k0ua]

hey, you "got-er-done"

 

[ovrszd]

Richard,
Remember the term "Japanese Junk"? That was thrown around in the '60's & 70's relating to Japanese manufactured equipment. I don't think anyone associates Japanese made equipment with "Junk" anymore, do you?

Remaining comment not directed at Richard...
I've heard that these fitment issues seem to be more of a Kubota SSQA problem as Kubota is slightly off on their standard compared to others. Anyone here have a different experience? Do you think a company like "WildKat", who by the way MAKES their equipment on-site, would stay in business long if ALL their products didn't fit skid-steer equipment right? As far as their company, it isn't a "China" issue at all. Btw, WildKat's shop is 40 miles from my house, I've been there multiple times.

I definitely remember those days and I agree, they have came a long ways. Hoping the other nations will do the same. I'm just afraid in today's society we tend to let our standards slip. Again, if we don't enforce the standards, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, India, and any others I've missed won't either.

As to the Kubota issue. I agree. I've built several QA attachments. I like a tight fit. I use my M9540 Kubota FEL head as a guide and build my attachments to snugly fit. I remodeled a Meyer Snow Blade to fit FEL QA, again, using my tractor as a guide, built it with a very snug fit. I had to remodel it and loosen the fit so my Brother could use it on his Kubota L3240 with Kubota FEL. His QA head is 1/2" wider than mine. What's up with that????? I could have understood if we had different brand FELs, but both are Kubota. Very loose standard if you ask me, and that's from a reputable manufacturer, Kubota....

 

[Herkypilot]

That's interesting...different SSQA measurements from the same manufacturer...loose standard indeed. That explains a lot about this issue.

 

[ovrszd]

That's interesting...different SSQA measurements from the same manufacturer...loose standard indeed. That explains a lot about this issue.

First, shocked me. Then, disappointed me.

So,,,, I guess if I was making aftermarket attachments I'd loosen my fit as much as I thought I could so I didn't have customers like my Brother calling and bit**ing about my attachment not fitting his tractor!!!! Better a loose fit than no fit at all.....

 

[ishiboo]

I wonder if pin dimensions on the hitch side actually vary, and the "loose fit" are actually correctly made for skid loader pins, and the tight specifically for smaller tractors? The handles/springs/etc on smaller tractor QAs are nothing compared to the hardware on my Bobcat 773.

 

[ishiboo]

I definitely remember those days and I agree, they have came a long ways. Hoping the other nations will do the same. I'm just afraid in today's society we tend to let our standards slip. Again, if we don't enforce the standards, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, India, and any others I've missed won't either.

As to the Kubota issue. I agree. I've built several QA attachments. I like a tight fit. I use my M9540 Kubota FEL head as a guide and build my attachments to snugly fit. I remodeled a Meyer Snow Blade to fit FEL QA, again, using my tractor as a guide, built it with a very snug fit. I had to remodel it and loosen the fit so my Brother could use it on his Kubota L3240 with Kubota FEL. His QA head is 1/2" wider than mine. What's up with that????? I could have understood if we had different brand FELs, but both are Kubota. Very loose standard if you ask me, and that's from a reputable manufacturer, Kubota....

The QA standard allows for both, and many are cut for outboard pins too. Once you weld it up to be "tight" you fit only that particular QA and not the whole standard.

It's kinda like if you welded up your 3 point arms to a specific spacing between them, and then your next attachment wouldn't fit. The standard specifically allows for these variations.

 

[Fallon]

http://www.bobcat.com/utility_machines/toolcat/attachments/bob-tach

Interesting read on the development of SSQA & the value of the triple wedge design being self-tightening with the springs on the pins.

 

[TomSeller]

http://www.bobcat.com/utility_machines/toolcat/attachments/bob-tach

Interesting read on the development of SSQA & the value of the triple wedge design being self-tightening with the springs on the pins.

I had not seen that before and it is interesting that the concept was to allow the bottom pins to self compensate and extend further when the attachment is wedged tighter into the top wedge. However, in the situations we are talking about the fit is so loose that the pins do not even touch the frame when the attachment is squarely on the mount. Your picture in the initial post shows a perfect example.

 

[Fallon]

Ya. Pins are about half way down the taper now with the bar stock I welded in, so about right I think.

 

[Guesseral]

I really like the hydraulic operation. I can just see it someday i'll have to do that also.

 

[TomSeller]

I really like the hydraulic operation. I can just see it someday i'll have to do that also.

You still have to get off and do the hoses for anything hydraulic ie auger or grapple.