Adding Mirror to Loader Frame

airbiscuit · May 24, 2018

I maintain a 1/2 mile private drive and occasionally travel down local roads. I like to see what's behind me. I saw on TBN that someone used a Jeep Wrangler Mirror and attached it to their loader frame.

I thought I'd try it. The Jeep Wrangler mirror is perfect. Flat attachment point, nice size, and $17 on ebay. There was an existing hole on my loader frame. I took a piece of wood and used threaded inserts for the mounting bolts, and done!

Doofy · May 24, 2018

Great idea and nice job.

Gordon Gould · May 24, 2018

I like the way that will just fold in if you come to close to a tree or something. Mine is on a solid mount so I had to mount it further in. so it would not be to exposed. You get a little better view with it out like that. A rear view mirror is definitely a big plus when doing road work or traveling on a public roadway.

gg

airbiscuit · May 24, 2018

It vibrates surprisingly little. I didn't want to drill any holes in the loader frame, so that single existing hole came in handy. The threaded inserts (T-nuts) were really the answer.

PhysAssist · May 25, 2018

airbiscuit said:
It vibrates surprisingly little. I didn't want to drill any holes in the loader frame, so that single existing hole came in handy. The threaded inserts (T-nuts) were really the answer.

How do you get the T-nuts to bite into the steel loader frame?

[Just kidding- I saw your notes on using the board to mount to the frame.]

Have you ever used Nutserts?

I've used them in a few areas where I need to be able to tighten up an assembly blindly, and for the application they can be pretty handy.

HOW TO INSTALL NUTSERT INSERT threaded insert demo fasteners australia - YouTube

Rivet Nuts | Threaded Inserts | Blind Rivet Nuts | Jay-Cee Sales & Rivet, Inc.

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Jstpssng · May 25, 2018

Nice job. I may borrow your idea, unless you've already filed the patent.

If I start up my tractor it's almost guaranteed that I will be out in the road. There's very little traffic here, yet that just makes it easy to get complacent.
Your picture also reminded me that I need to mount my fire extinguisher. I mounted one on my last tractor using duct tape; it sounds funky but it worked well and I didn't need to drill into my ROPS.

airbiscuit · May 25, 2018

You can get black duct tape for a professional installation. I figure a fire extinguisher is cheap insurance.

Doofy · May 25, 2018

airbiscuit said:
You can get black duct tape for a professional installation. I figure a fire extinguisher is cheap insurance.

Haha Yes, get some black Gorilla Tape.

Dave M7040 · May 25, 2018

For those who have yet to mount mirrors, in years past owners have reported great success in using adhesive mounting studs to secure mirrors and work lights to FEL and ROPS frames.

This is aircraft grade stuff.

A forum search using "adhesive studs" should turn up the old threads. Its benefit is not drilling or bolting on your new finishes.

Weld Mount is one product that comes to mind.
Weld Mount - Marine Applications
Dave M7040

Doofy · May 25, 2018

Dave M7040 said:
For those who have yet to mount mirrors, in years past owners have reported great success in using adhesive mounting studs to secure mirrors and work lights to FEL and ROPS frames.

This is aircraft grade stuff.

A forum search using "adhesive studs" should turn up the old threads. Its benefit is not drilling or bolting on your new finishes.

Weld Mount is one product that comes to mind.
Weld Mount - Marine Applications
Dave M7040

Thanks for the reminder. I'd forgotten about that stuff.

Jeepnford · May 30, 2018

I have some old Jeep CJ mirrors I'm going to mount on my loader arms, going to check out those adhesive studs first. I used some large square U-bolts to attach my fire extinguisher bracket to my ROPS. Worked out well.

majorwager · May 30, 2018

I mounted a mirror on ford years ago but it vibrated so badly, it was useless.

EDIT: I did not incoporate a gasket in the ford installation, it was bracket to aluminum roof canopy.

When I added an aftermarket cab to the kubota, it rests upon 4 dedicated rubber isolation mounts, which absorb vibration. The two exterior cab mount mirrors do NOT suffer the vibration issue.

Wagtail · May 30, 2018

majorwager said:
I mounted a mirror on ford years ago but it vibrated so badly, it was useless.

Whenever I mount something on my tractor (yes, that includes a mirror on the loader arm) I always include a 'rubber' anti-vibration gasket. It can be as simple as some cut-up floor mat or a cut-up foam-neoprene stubbie holder (koozie?).

It does help.

PILOON · May 30, 2018

I simply used a backup camera and mounted the view screen under my windshield, that way I always see what is behind me.
If I was more computer savey I could probably have videos on board as well.

Jeepnford · May 31, 2018

PILOON said:
I simply used a backup camera and mounted the view screen under my windshield, that way I always see what is behind me.
If I was more computer savey I could probably have videos on board as well.

That sounds like a good idea. Now I just need to get one of those windshield things.

PhysAssist · Jun 1, 2018

Jeepnford said:
That sounds like a good idea. Now I just need to get one of those windshield things.

HEHEHEHEHEHHEh... :mischievous:

exedman · May 10, 2019

Hi all....
I hot-glued a couple of dollar store mirrors to a 10" x 20" OSB panel and hinged it to the ceiling of my tractor canopy. When I clear my 2000 foot driveway with a 6 foot 3 pt hitch snowblower, it saves cramping my neck around for extended periods. It is also very helpful otherwise.
Take care,
John

duffer · May 18, 2019

Great minds think alike Airbiscuit. Just found your post, and here is my morning project:

My Saturday morning project was to install a couple of side mirrors on the beast.

Picked up a pair of adjustable mirrors 6"x7.5" with articulated arms off of eBay. Got the pair for under $30. But the idiot seller didn't include the mounting bolts, as advertised, so I had to run to HD to pick up 6. (I'm amazed HD actually had 6 metric bolts to fit in stock!)

Anyway, found a place on the support structure of the FEL where I could drill and tap holes to mount them. Never had done a hole tap before, so it took me a little longer than you experts, I'm sure, but I got 'er done!

Couple of pics for those who might be interested.