Difficulty/costs in changing FEL to a quick-tach set-up

[super55]

I was wondering if anyone has went and converted there FEL with a permanently fastened bucket to a skid-steer quick attach. I will probably have the dealer or thought about taking my tractor to a local metal fabrication shop and build one. I'm really hoping to be able to use the existing bucket and will probably add a second set of auxiliary hydraulics to possibly run a grapple eventually.

The tractor is a kubota L2500 with a LB 400 loader. Been hoping there is a bolt on attachment for the loader and was going to weld an adapter plate on the bucket. I've had no problem finding the weld on adapter for the bucket but been having some difficulty finding the attachment adapter.

It doesn't look to be too difficult of a project. Just punch the pins that the bucket and arms connect and torch off the brackets and put the adapter on but not sure if additional bracing or such is required.

 

[k0ua]

I was wondering if anyone has went and converted there FEL with a permanently fastened bucket to a skid-steer quick attach. I will probably have the dealer or thought about taking my tractor to a local metal fabrication shop and build one. I'm really hoping to be able to use the existing bucket and will probably add a second set of auxiliary hydraulics to possibly run a grapple eventually.

The tractor is a kubota L2500 with a LB 400 loader. Been hoping there is a bolt on attachment for the loader and was going to weld an adapter plate on the bucket. I've had no problem finding the weld on adapter for the bucket but been having some difficulty finding the attachment adapter.

It doesn't look to be too difficult of a project. Just punch the pins that the bucket and arms connect and torch off the brackets and put the adapter on but not sure if additional bracing or such is required.

Nope you pretty well have the idea... here is my laughable journey doing what you described.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/208653-so-you-think-converting-pin.html

James K0UA

 

[SSdoxie]

Check with your dealer to see what Kubot QA costs or if they offer one. I paid $850 for my Bobcat Bob-Tach QA & 1 adapter plate and 1 day to moun the QA, grind off the pin on mounts & weld on the adapter plate. Best money I have spent in a long time other than buying the tractor.

 

[k0ua]

I gave $400 for the Kubota SSQA adaptor, I bought a plate from Skidsteer Express for $125 delivered. The real money was in the new bucket I also bought, at $600. I converted my original bucket later. I still have it and use it on my Kioti.

James K0UA

 

[EverythingAttachments]

You'll find loader quick attach adapters here on our website. We have the drawings for your loader so it will be custom made and fit perfectly. Those ship free to your home within 1,000 miles of Newton, NC. Freight shouldn't be much even if you're outside the free shipping zone.

 

[WM75Guy]

Here is the thread where I did mine. Best thing I ever did. Received my receiver hitch plate from Skid Steer Express yesterday, really nice for moving trailers around the yard to make mowing easier.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ng/195123-switched-16la-fel-quick-attach.html

 

[nybirdman]

Remember you are adding weight so reduceing you lift capacity.

 

[chopped]

I dont think its the weight as much as the moving the points out a couple of inches.With all good is a sacrafice..Just a matter of if we can live with it..Im a bit surprised they didnt have a setup where all the latch was between the lift arms and it maintained the original position in reference to the loader arms attashments.I didnt gain quite as much lifft as I wanted when i went to a QA from hanging the forks on the bucket outside lip.
i dont regret at all.to remove the 'ears' I took the chop saw (14 inch) from its base and used it as a handheld saw. it went better than i expected it would.

 

[joshuabardwell]

You'll find loader quick attach adapters here on our website. We have the drawings for your loader so it will be custom made and fit perfectly. Those ship free to your home within 1,000 miles of Newton, NC. Freight shouldn't be much even if you're outside the free shipping zone.

If I had gotten the Bob-Tach bucket with my tractor, would the loader arms have a QA connector welded onto them, or would they be pin-on arms with an adapter like this attached? I'm trying to figure out the difference between a factory QA system and this adapter.

 

[WM75Guy]

All the factory ones I have seen are pin on. Mine was the NH factory QA from the NH dealer.

 

[chopped]

on the factory ones does it stick out more than it would if it didnt have to have the pin lock lever on it?(like factory)? actually i found a pic of yours in another search.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...5-switched-16la-fel-quick-attach-100_0936.jpg
Its hard to tell if its out more than a standadtd NON qa would.
And int the pic I can see the pin section beyond the frame.Seems like it must set out somewhat.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

If I had gotten the Bob-Tach bucket with my tractor, would the loader arms have a QA connector welded onto them, or would they be pin-on arms with an adapter like this attached? I'm trying to figure out the difference between a factory QA system and this adapter.

Like repowell said, all factory quick attaches that i've seen are pin-on and many of them stick out further from your loader arms than the QA adapters that we sell.

 

[super55]

I know that john deere runs there own style of quick-tach implements but am curious if other manufacturers are inter-changeable. The reason I ask is because my brother has a bobcat ss with there set-up. Will I need to get a specific mount for Bobcat and if I do will it be able to work with Kubota, NH, case, etc. attachments. I know JD/frontier won't fit but what about others.

 

[joshuabardwell]

I believe that SSQA (skid-steer quick attach) is universal.

 

[WM75Guy]

on the factory ones does it stick out more than it would if it didnt have to have the pin lock lever on it?(like factory)? actually i found a pic of yours in another search.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...5-switched-16la-fel-quick-attach-100_0936.jpg
Its hard to tell if its out more than a standadtd NON qa would.
And int the pic I can see the pin section beyond the frame.Seems like it must set out somewhat.

The SSQA has the pin lock levers. That is what makes it a standard SSQA. The JD QA has a different type of attachment. Where the 4 mounting pins hold the SSQA adapter is where the 4 holes on my bucket originally were attached. The SSQA does cause the bucket to stick out further than the original brackets on the bucket that were cut off at the welding shop. The original bucket bracket holes were about half the distance from the bucket than where the SSQA adapter pin holes are now. The WR Long adapter does not look as thick as the NH adapter. I don't believe I can tell any difference in lifting capacity. If the 3" ever does make a difference I need a bigger tractor as I am at max capacity.

 

[k0ua]

I know that john deere runs there own style of quick-tach implements but am curious if other manufacturers are inter-changeable. The reason I ask is because my brother has a bobcat ss with there set-up. Will I need to get a specific mount for Bobcat and if I do will it be able to work with Kubota, NH, case, etc. attachments. I know JD/frontier won't fit but what about others.

They are universal, I am still using my old Kubota bucket on the new Kioti.. that said.. sometimes a little grinding here and there is needed.. Not all manufacture's interpret the specification exactly the same. But most fit just fine. When I added SSQA to the Kubota L3400, I did not notice much if any loss of lift capacity. If there is any loss, it is pretty minor.

James K0UA

 

[IslandTractor]

I believe that SSQA (skid-steer quick attach) is universal.

Not exactly but they are generally interchangeable. However, some are narrower than others. Narrow receiver fits wide implement but not vice versa. Kioti for example has a narrow receiver and matching standard bucket. The Kioti will mount anyone elses implements but other brands may not mount the Kioti buckets.