Engineering question

[woodlandfarms]

So, in the greatest form of flattery I was going to rip off KentT idea for a PTO lever.

Mods & Custom Builts

But as I looked over my PT, I realized that the hole I need to drill down is going to be right next to a flange that holds the lift arms.

So, a 1/2" hole is what I am thinking. Will I create a weakness that is going to impact that lift. I looked at Kents setup and he is a good 2" away.

In the photo, it would be between the console and the lift flange

Any thoughts?

 

[SnowRidge]

I don't think there would be any problem, but I'm not an engineer, so please don't sue me if I'm wrong.

 

[coolconnection]

I wouldn't do it. Not a 1/2" hole. To close to an arm support. The weld from the arm supports has already weakened the steel in that area. Having a hole there now in softer steel on a support arm area is not a good idea. Steel, probably cold rolled steel has its own temper, by heating it and allowing it to cool from the weld made it softer than the other steel in that area within several inches of the arm weld bracket. It probably isn't a big difference from the other steel but who knows how much carbon was in the steel in the first place. Carbon can make steel harder and also more brittle if heat treated. Either way it could be a bad thing to do. Then again it may never hurt anything either but I wouldn't drill there.

There is another picture of a PT with a different set up for your tractor. It is also a red one but I don't know off hand where to find it but it goes at the base of the steering column and uses 2 clamps that cross over to the other side. No major holes drilled. If I can find it I will give you the file path but it is on the PT forum. I think they used some kind of strap, but not sure. It looked pretty good and no worries on metal fatigue.

 

[SnowRidge]

PT doesn't seem to have any problem drilling holes near the pivot flanges. There are two holes for each headlight on the PT-425.

 

[3238dpw]

I think this is what coolconnection is talking about.Post #18

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/116761-anyone-have-pictures-quck-attach.html

 

[KentT]

I think this is what coolconnection is talking about.Post #18

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/116761-anyone-have-pictures-quck-attach.html

I agree that this is the approach I'd take, given the location of that lift arm bracket. Looks like the linkage to connect to the valbe body control on the right side is a bit more complicated, but it doesn't weaken anything...

Another alternative would be cable controls, if it would all fit up underneath there, and if you can find one that'll fit the valve. I considered converting mine to cable controls, but my PT has Gresen brand control valves, and I couldn't readily find any kits for connecting the control cable to the valve... Prince brand cables were available at Surplus Center for a decent price, but I didn't know if I could make them fit... and my shade-tree setup is still working fine, some 250 hours later... or tightening the grapple's "bite" while transporting -- which is often required as the material shifts around.

I will say this -- I think you'll like the controls within finger-reach from the left side of the steering wheel. It allows you to conveniently control both lift/tilt and the grapple action (or minihoe bucket curl) all at the same time -- while still holding on to the steering wheel. For example, when articulating the machine and dumping the dirt from the minihoe bucket...

 

[woodlandfarms]

I did this design (with the rod) and failed miserably. The linkage was my downfall for sure. But, I am worried about drilling alongside the flange so I guess it is the way to go.

Not a clue as to who make the lift and tilt controls... I don't like them due to the sensitivity but...

 

[J_J]

Carl, I still think the electric grapple valve would work better using one hand on the joystick,. and a thumb switch to control the electric valve. You want slow, use the QD lines, you want fast, use the PTO circuit. Use your left hand to steer.

 

[coolconnection]

Well here is something similar I was talking about. The first one is not the picture I wanted because the one I wanted was on the red style of PT. This is from mckat, it was connected very much the same but the strap was in a different location. The pictures of the red PT are the ones I was talking about and their from DonStillwagon from the post "Anyone have pictures of Quick Attach Handle Mods" on 3-18-2008. I hope this helps.