Drill hole on 420 FEL cross tube support?

[jdgreg]

I'm cleaning up my lines going from the Fasse valve to the FEL for my grapple and snow plow. I'm working on a plate to secure the QDs up front (thanks to kennyd and a few others for pics of their setups), so my question is the best way to secure it the middle of the loader suport tube. This is the 3" tube that secures the front ends of the loader arms, right behind the bucket. I thought about drilling and taping a small hole (6-8mm) so I can bolt the plate onto it. So my question is would drilling a small hole seriously weaken the integrity of the tube? I could weld it on, but probably wont for access reasons. May wind up useing large hose clamps, but that would probably look a little cheezy.
Thoughts?

 

[jdgreg]

Anyone?

 

[kennyd]

Flame suit on.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

IMHO, drilling 1 or 2 small holes will be fine.
Yes I did drill my ROPS to install lights, and my R/H loader upright to install my electric diverter and lived to tell about it.

Did you find the bulkhead adapters Greg?

 

[jdgreg]

Thanks Kennyd, I figured as much. I also drilled a small hole in my ROPS and taped it to relocate the rear work light when I put my Curtis cab on. And I'm still here too. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Not sure what you mean by bulkhead adapters. My present plan is to secure the QD with U bolts to a 1" piece of U channel, then either bolt or strap the U channel to the FEL tube. I'll post a pic when I get it done.

Thanks /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif