Custom options on B26

[powerstroke444e]

Most used item, I had someone ask about how to reposition the tractor while trenching or using the backhoe. I made a lever out of an old jack handle, i.e. and bent it to fit and added a piece of angle iron to make it stay on the foot pedal. It stays on very well and makes it easy to reposition the tractor and it priceless when moving brush or broken concrete with the backhoe and thumb.
I also built a grapple and have not gotten to use it yet but I would advise purchase not making one as it took twice as long as I thought it would to build.
The second best thing is the pallet forks that have side shift. They are a little heavy but are used all the time.
I also built a 29 mud/sand/grading bucket which is priceless for cleaning up a yard as you can scrape the dirt and leave the grass.
I also built a scraper blade out of a blade off a front mount Kubota mower but have not added hydraulics to it yet.
Comments are welcome and if you can think of something else to build I have AWA(I am a welding addict) or have question ask away.

 

[powerstroke444e]

More photo's

 

[apease]

Very interesting with the pedal lever! It made me think - how about adding excavator-style dual "throttle" levers, just behind the backhoe controls, that would allow forward/reverse and left/right motion. It would be tricky to get all the linkages right, especially into the steering wheel, but you'd essentially wind up with a backhoe that could be run like an excavator.

 

[powerstroke444e]

On the trencher you can control it from the back hoe but it is all hydraulic, I have tried to figure it out and it could be done using the lever I put on there and rear remote but I didn't figure it was worth the effort as its not to hard to steer when moving it from the hoe. The big issue was being able to reach the hydro pedal, which this works well.

 

[jlrsn]

Most used item, I had someone ask about how to reposition the tractor while trenching or using the backhoe..

I'm intrigued by your mods. On my L39 I can reach all the controls while sitting backwards while operating my backhoe except for my brakes but haven't tried it yet. With my GST Transmission I can put my transmission in 1st gear (of 12 forward speeds) and also activate my Shuttle Shift Handle and Hand Throttle while sitting backwards. I don't have to use my clutch pedal. I haven't tried it yet but I will. If I vacate my seat there is a safety kill switch that I could put another switch inline with it to bypass that safety feature. If I were to start rolling forward I can switch my Shuttle Shift Handle to reverse or drop my Stabilizers or Backhoe bucket without touching my clutch pedal or stopping. They advertise how easy it is to change the seat position while sitting on the seat but at 6'3" tall and with size 13 shoes it isn't that easy. On the L45 they offer the creeping while sitting backwards operating the backhoe. Can anyone with an L45 explain how they use the brakes.

Which Pallet Forks do you have. My next purchase will be Pallet Forks. I really miss having a forklift since selling my all-terrain forklift to my brother.
Take care,
Jim

 

[powerstroke444e]

Which Pallet Forks do you have. My next purchase will be Pallet Forks. I really miss having a forklift since selling my all-terrain forklift to my brother.
Take care,
Jim

I went to a forklift place and they had a side shift carriage with 42" forks for $100-$150 I can't remember exact price. Then I went to the local bobcat dealer & they had blank qa plates Bobcat brand for $150 then welded it together, but I did have to get new hydraulic lines for the side shift. I works great for loading & unloading trucks. With your L you should be able to get 2000lbs or bigger pallets I max out a litte before that.

 

[Denwa]

Most used item, I had someone ask about how to reposition the tractor while trenching or using the backhoe. I made a lever out of an old jack handle, i.e. and bent it to fit and added a piece of angle iron to make it stay on the foot pedal. It stays on very well and makes it easy to reposition the tractor and it priceless when moving brush or broken concrete with the backhoe and thumb......

Interesting in that my B20 has a 1/2" or so tube welded to the inside face of the go pedal. When I bought the thing it came with a 3'+ metal rod that fits into that tube nicely, and is for the express purpose of moving the tractor while facing backwards using the hoe.

The B20 is supposed to be a "commercial" machine, so perhaps this little extra was a standard "commercial" feature, or at some point, has become a victim of bean counting adjustments.

Dennis

 

[jlrsn]

Interesting in that my B20 has a 1/2" or so tube welded to the inside face of the go pedal.
Dennis

Dennis,
Did it appear to be a modification or a factory install?
Jim

 

[dfkrug]

On the L45 they offer the creeping while sitting backwards operating the backhoe. Can anyone with an L45 explain how they use the brakes.

I don't have an L45, Jim, but since it has HST, I suspect that the brakes are
not used during creep.

What I do (with my Kioti) is leave the parking brake off when I switch over
to the hoe, setting the loader down for additional anchorage. When ready
to creep from the hoe seat, I use a pole (shovel, actually) to push the
go pedal FWD or REV. After lifting the FEL.

A built-in creep function would be great, but a better thing these TLBs (B20,
B21, B26, L39, L45, etc) have is the engine speed control on the right fender,
accessible while operating the hoe. I added mine.

 

[jlrsn]

Hi Dave,
My L39 has the Hand Throttle Control. I also usually don't lock my brakes and anchor my bucket until I get my Stabilizers down. When I have to move my tractor I raise my Stabilizers enough to allow movement and have always used my BH Bucket to move my tractor.

What I really enjoyed from your reply is I went in and read your TBN Projects. I turned each TBN Project into a pdf file so I wouldn't lose them. You've got a lot of usable data posted!!! I see many future mods coming up!!
Thanks,
Jim