Advice on SSQA conversion L4850

[Brambleberry]

I got a really nice used L4850 with FEL last fall, and am totally loving this tractor! However, it has a pin-style loader bucket attachment, and I want to change this to a SSQA, so I can use my nice forks from my skid steer, as well as other attachments.

I have a friend who is a union pipe fitter that can weld like a champ, and he's offered to help me do this fab job. However, I want to make sure I install the latch boxes etc at the proper place, and make sure they are heavy duty enough to safely work, the loader is rated at over 1 ton.

Can I just use the $100 latch boxes from eBay for this? I can't find any load limits on the product descriptions. Is there a superior product that I'm just not seeing? They all look pretty similar to me.

Also, since this is a round back bucket, I'm scratching my head trying to decide the best place to cut the brackets for welding on to the SSQA latch boxes. Any thoughts?

Attaching pictures, and TIA for any advice!

 

[ovrszd]

Sorry I don't have any valid suggestions.

It would be great if someone with the same FEL including SSQA could join this discussion with pics and measurements. What is the model # of your FEL?

Looking forward to seeing your progress. Keep us updated!!!

 

[LouNY]

Before cutting anything, roll your bucket down to the level position (the cutting edge flat on the ground).
If you have a level indicating rod check it's position then measure how much your cylinders are extended.
Once you get all your pieces and get your tractor side together either using a kit to replace your pin on or building your own,
extend your bucket cylinder the same amount and mount your bucket mounting plate to the ssqa push the bucket up to the plate
and then build your spacers to fit. Also measure your lift arm cylinders at the same time and repeat those measurements when aligning your bucket.

 

[LouNY]

Here are several kits ready to go;
https://www.worksaver.com/universal-skid-steer-quick-attach-system#831895

 

[ovrszd]

Here are several kits ready to go;
https://www.worksaver.com/universal-skid-steer-quick-attach-system#831895

Good link Lou!!!

 

[Brambleberry]

Here are several kits ready to go;
https://www.worksaver.com/universal-skid-steer-quick-attach-system#831895

Unfortunately they don't have one for my LA950A.

I would much prefer something like this that I don't have to cut on the original bucket at all. I'll try giving them a call and see if they can make one for me.

 

[Brambleberry]

Here are several kits ready to go;
https://www.worksaver.com/universal-skid-steer-quick-attach-system#831895

On second thought, I'd still need to cut my bucket brackets to put a female SSQA reciever on it unless I want to pull pins each time I change buckets

 

[sixdogs]

Here are several kits ready to go;
https://www.worksaver.com/universal-skid-steer-quick-attach-system#831895

This is what you want and there are lots of makers of them. I got mine from Mast Farm Service in Millersburg, Ohio. They make a beautiful product. There are others scattered around the country.

Custom Fabrication & Attachments | Mast Farm Service

Custom metal fabrication, welding services, I-beams, steel staircases, metal railings, and skid steer attachments. Near Millersburg, Ohio.

www.mastfarmservice.com

Mast makes lots of things not shown.

You should put down a general area where you live so people can be more helpful.

 

[ovrszd]

Unfortunately they don't have one for my LA950A.

I would much prefer something like this that I don't have to cut on the original bucket at all. I'll try giving them a call and see if they can make one for me.

Trying to run this thru my brain. I can't see any way to leave your existing bracketry on the back of your bucket. I guess anything is possible. I think the problem would be the SSQA plate will be too far rearward of your bucket. You would lose lift and curl ability.

The bucket part will be the easiest. I built one on an old Ford FEL bucket. Removed all brackets that were in my way to get the attachment plate as close to the backside of the bucket as possible.

The FEL part of the SSQA will be the most difficult to fabricate.

Keep us posted on your progress!!!

 

[rbargeron]

Here are brochure pages for the L4850 that state the load the LA950 loader is designed for - need similar SSQA rating.

My L5450 has the round-back bucket like yours. It looked like a QA setup would move things forward, reducing capacity - so I settled for forks that go in holders in the bucket.

 

[jjeff]

From a little experience on a different project I will not use or buy seperated $100 dollar latch boxes ever again. When back dragging the pins would pop up sheared the bottom off on one of them. Could be due to my fab skills, weight of attachment or there just cheap but probably all of the above. Im following cause Ive been contemplating to convert my bf500 loader to QA eventually.

 

[Brambleberry]

This is what you want and there are lots of makers of them. I got mine from Mast Farm Service in Millersburg, Ohio. They make a beautiful product. There are others scattered around the country.

Custom Fabrication & Attachments | Mast Farm Service

Custom metal fabrication, welding services, I-beams, steel staircases, metal railings, and skid steer attachments. Near Millersburg, Ohio.

www.mastfarmservice.com

Mast makes lots of things not shown.

You should put down a general area where you live so people can be more helpful.

Thanks, I'm in southern Indiana USA

 

[Woodbutcher56]

I got a really nice used L4850 with FEL last fall, and am totally loving this tractor! However, it has a pin-style loader bucket attachment, and I want to change this to a SSQA, so I can use my nice forks from my skid steer, as well as other attachments.

I have a friend who is a union pipe fitter that can weld like a champ, and he's offered to help me do this fab job. However, I want to make sure I install the latch boxes etc at the proper place, and make sure they are heavy duty enough to safely work, the loader is rated at over 1 ton.

Can I just use the $100 latch boxes from eBay for this? I can't find any load limits on the product descriptions. Is there a superior product that I'm just not seeing? They all look pretty similar to me.

Also, since this is a round back bucket, I'm scratching my head trying to decide the best place to cut the brackets for welding on to the SSQA latch boxes. Any thoughts?

Attaching pictures, and TIA for any adv

 

[Woodbutcher56]

Tractor Products for Sale - Visit Our Fun Store - Ask Tractor Mike and https://www.everythingattachments.com/ both sell conversion kits from ATI Industries that are well built. I purchased a kit to convert a Kubota L35 to SSQA and was pleased with the quality. Asktractormike.com has a good video on converting a rounded back bucket to SSQA.

 

[rbargeron]

Here's a kit for the LA950a loader - they include info on getting the face plate mounted at the correct angle on a round-back bucket.

Kubota LA950A Tractor Quick Attach Conversion Kubota -Ask Tractor Mike

Kubota LA950A, LA1001, LA1002 & LA1150A Front End Loaders to Skid Steer Quick Attach Conversion. Welds on. Weighs 110 lbs.

asktractormike.com

 

[sixdogs]

Thanks, I'm in southern Indiana USA

I'll bet there are lots of locals that make adaptors. Also, most farm shows have dealers attending and often with samples they sell for a reduced price.

That's how I learned about Mast Farm Eq. I wanted an adaptor but JD wanted something like $1800 for one. I bought one at the farm show for -I think--$650? or so. Now I see lots of welding shops making them. Look around where you live and I'll bet there are a number of makers of whatever you need.

 

[rbargeron]

Brambleberry - sent you a pm.

 

[Brambleberry]

Okay, so I decided to play it safe in terms of proper load rating etc, and went with this adapter from ATI for $1000. Big thanks to Dick for tipping me off to this, and at a very good price compared to others!

I'll still need to cut the brackets on the bucket if I want to have it as a QA, but for now I'm going to have the forks live on the tractor and see how often I actually switch to the bucket.

One really strange thing I ran into is that the forks wouldn't sit down against the new SSQA reciever. I found two little 1/2” steel extensions of a vertical piece of the fork frame that were hitting the horizontal crossbar of the adapter, and not letting the frame sit against the flat plate of the receiver. I actually ran into this same issue last year trying to put them on my friend's new Kubota skid steer. They fit on my bobcat 743 just fine. Not sure why they were there, but I cut them off and now the forks fit just fine.

Here's some pictures of the new setup. Thanks for all the advice everyone!

 

[Brambleberry]

Also, FWIW, this ATI adapter was 10 lbs heavier shipping weight than the one from asktractormike, and I think also the one from everything attachments. I thought that might be a sign that it's slightly thicker guage steel.

I got it through Amazon, and it was free shipping. Got to me in just 2 days!

 

[2manyrocks]

Maybe you will luck out and find a QA bucket for cheap at an auction or something instead of having to convert yours. With standardized buckets becoming more popular, that increases the odds of actually finding one.