B3200 w/LA524 want to built frame for forks

Chain Bender · Apr 19, 2011

let say I wanted to drop the bucket and attach a home made frame that I can attach a variety of forks to.

I don't have a set of QA's, so I would have to take the time to remove the pens the hard way. But if I was going to use the forks for several days or a week it might be worth it.

So if I start from scratch what all would be involved? I know I could build one if I just knew exactly how to build it. Other than the hvy frame, I don't think much of it would be over 1/4" stuff. If I can get a good idea of the frame where it attaches to the rams I can take it from there. Maybe I should wander through a dealership with a camera and small tape measure. Recon I might get thrown off the place doing that? ;-)

Any ideas would be appreciated.

CB

Baby Grand · Apr 19, 2011

Bender-
I'm going thru a similar exercise, adapting a set of used FEL forks to fit my LA724. I have cut the brackets off of the frame and am sorting out how to make bushings for the pins to fit into. I want to make something that looks very similar to what's on my pinned on bucket. Basically, I have to take 1/2" plate and cut 30.5 mm (Can't recall exact dimmension) holes to provide a good running fit with the pins. I'll cross drill these to fit the smallish locking bolts so it will go on & come off the same as the bucket. As I don't have a machine shop, but do have a Drill press, I have ordered one of these (today) to make the large holes in the plate stock:

PracTool | Super Drill

There was another thread on here that suggested this plan - I'll see if I can find a link...

-Jim

Baby Grand · Apr 19, 2011

Found it ... R_W provided the idea :

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/200209-pin-holes-tubing-drill-bits-4.html

wydchd provides a better description at the top of that page of what I'm attempting.

Now I just need to get some plate ...

jimgerken · Apr 19, 2011

Guys, do yourselves a big favor and start with a quick-tach stage. In fact make it just like the skid steer standard quick-tach. Then modify your bucket to fit the Q-T, and THEN make your fork base frame.

Baby Grand · Apr 20, 2011

jimgerken said:
Guys, do yourselves a big favor and start with a quick-tach stage. In fact make it just like the skid steer standard quick-tach. Then modify your bucket to fit the Q-T, and THEN make your fork base frame.

JimG,
So far I have $400 in the used forks and $120 in a metal working tool I can use for a lot of other projects. How much would the plate for the FEL + 2 adapter plates (1 for the bucket & 1 for the forks) cost? The pins remove & replace easily enough - I'm not using this thing to make money, so I don't mind spending 10 - 15 minutes changing out forks to bucket or back as I don't plan to do it frequently. Just curious what I would be looking at in terms of getting approval from "The Bank" aka The Plant Manager for discretionary funds?
-Jim

jimgerken · Apr 20, 2011

I guess the message I was trying to give you was that the adaptor (you need only 1) stays on the tractor and then allows quick attachment of any skid-loader compatible bucket type attachment to go on quickly and easily. If you have only one bucket now, and its now quick-attach, and you could re-make it to quick attach capable, then everything you build from now on, starting with the fork tines base frame, would be compatible. In the long run you win HUGE in compatibility with borrowed or rented stuff to attach, and in time savings every time you swap (and you will swap often if you can do so quickly). If you do it now, its not too late. Once you own a couple or a few items, its too late to commit to re-fabbing them all. Good luck!!! We like pics too...