Adding SSQA to a Box Blade

[Vigo327]

I suspect that single bolted brace at the top will be under a LOT of tension and compression when actually using the box blade and will probably bend the tube or rip the single bolt out of the end of the tube when you snag something. It is nowhere near the strength of a top link. I think you will have to either implement something of similar strength to a top link there using the original pin hole on the box blade, or build braces from the bottom rear of the box blade to the bottom of the fork frame. It looks to me like you could drill straight down through the that 1.5 or 2" square tube on the top rear of the fork frame and run one end of a top link with the pin vertical there, and other end in the original top link hole on the box blade in the usual way. But I can't see how resistant that tube would be to rotation/torsion in the middle because i can't see if it it welded anywhere but at the ends.

But, i'm curious to see how my theory holds up to your real life testing!!

 

[Xfaxman]

I suspect that single bolted brace at the top will be under a LOT of tension and compression when actually using the box blade and will probably bend the tube or rip the single bolt out of the end of the tube when you snag something. It is nowhere near the strength of a top link.

I agree it doesn't look as strong as a top link, but the wall thickness is more than twice as thick as the tube part of a top link.

For it to bend or get ripped out the other attachment points would have to fail. And that could happen with enough force.

I think you will have to either implement something of similar strength to a top link there using the original pin hole on the box blade,

That was my original plan, but this was easier and TLAR.

or build braces from the bottom rear of the box blade to the bottom of the fork frame. It looks to me like you could drill straight down through the that 1.5 or 2" square tube on the top rear of the fork frame and run one end of a top link with the pin vertical there, and other end in the original top link hole on the box blade in the usual way. But I can't see how resistant that tube would be to rotation/torsion in the middle because i can't see if it it welded anywhere but at the ends.

It is welded in the middle..

I added the 2" square tubing many years ago after straightening the fork frame after getting bent from trying to use the tree shear as a tree puller.

But, i'm curious to see how my theory holds up to your real life testing!!

Me too!!

 

[Xfaxman]

First real life test. This is the top of a terrace that I have been removing dirt from:

Raised it after the first short push:

And after a longer hard push:

So far so good, nothing bent or broke.

 

[Smokeydog]

The down pressure and articulation certainly gives new abilities to the box blade. Having the ability to push or pull with the same box and machine. And you have that awesome reach.

Guess pulling has the side link tilt feature on a tractor. Can you tilt the handler like some? Maybe a swivel made from RV fifth wheel hitch and couple of hydraulic cylinders? If it does what you need done then it’s a perfect tool as is.

Kudos for thinking out of the box and trying. You have a nice proving ground and skills to try ideas.

 

[Xfaxman]

Guess pulling has the side link tilt feature on a tractor. Can you tilt the handler like some?

No, but have a hydraulic Tilt-Tach for the SSQA. here it is with the 6' box blade:

Here is the Tilt-Tach on the Toolcat:

Kudos for thinking out of the box and trying. You have a nice proving ground and skills to try ideas.

Thanks muchly.

 

[Xfaxman]

Found some pictures from 2014 that show the SSQA fork frame after the cedar tree shear was removed:

And even had the 3 point linkage hooked to the box blade:

 

[Xfaxman]

I can also use it on the 3 point adapter:

Max rollback:

 

[Vigo327]

If the rippers are involved I like the idea of pushing from the SSQA side. I've noticed most skid steer attachments with rippers have you ripping pulling back, which is probably preferable in terms of the loader itself for the most part, but i don't like the idea of pulling real hard on just the QA pins.. Maybe i'm being over-paranoid.