SSQA pads fixed together vs not fixed together - why?

[Jim Timber]

My tractor's SSQA adapters aren't fixed to the same plane, so if one is rubbing on the attachment and not lined up right the other will move out of sync.

Other than cost, why are they made this way, and is there any reason to not fix them together?

The reason I'm asking is that I want to put a hydraulic cylinder on the latch levers and it would be much easier to do if they remained in the same plane all the time.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Is this a factory JD ssqa? All the JD ones I've seen have a small diameter timing bar, between the two pads to keep them in sync, the bar is held in place by bolts or pins. Did you buy yours used, if so maybe the PO broke, bent, or lost the bar? Here is a pic of a small JD loader you can see the silver bar between the two plates.

 

[Jim Timber]

The timing bar at the bottom is a common axis the top of the pads are free to rotate as they want.



This is from the manual and doesn't even have the timing bar in this one.

 

[Jim Timber]

From doing some digging, it appears my timing rod isn't doing what it's supposed to, but since it's always done that I didn't know anything was amiss.

Looks like I'll need to address that issue and then think of how to handle my hydraulic actuator.

 

[RickB]

Other than cost, why are they made this way, and is there any reason to not fix them together?

Cost is the only reason I have ever come up with. Cheap design, expensive paint.

 

[Jim Timber]

The latch arms are a heavy cast part that dwarf most other's designs.

Post up yours.

 

[DK35vince]

My tractor's SSQA adapters aren't fixed to the same plane, so if one is rubbing on the attachment and not lined up right the other will move out of sync.

Other than cost, why are they made this way, and is there any reason to not fix them together?

The reason I'm asking is that I want to put a hydraulic cylinder on the latch levers and it would be much easier to do if they remained in the same plane all the time.

All SSQA I have ever worked around were fixed solid together.

 

[DK35vince]

The latch arms are a heavy cast part that dwarf most other's designs.

Post up yours.

Heres mine on a 35 HP tractor.
Mine is heavy enough between the latch arms I welded in a hook and use it for lifting.

 

[rd_macgregor]

My DK45 has a single lever to operate the pins. The whole arrangement is part of a backing plate, so the spacing between the pads is constant. I wonder if the single handle setup makes this amenable to hydraulic operation/conversion?

 

[Jim Timber]

Single lever would make things easier.

Mine won't be too bad, but it'll take some added material.