Front-End Loader FEL and Subcompacts

[HangarDebris]

Hi, I am new to the TBN forums and have been searching for advice in regards to mounting a FEL on my Simplicity Legacy XL 4X4. Due to the styling of the Legacy tractors there are no options regarding factory bult loaders as far as mount kits. I have researched the Kwik-Way loader and persobnaly don't like the width, bucket,Price and manufactures additude. So I started to make my own and have the cylinders and have built a nice 42 inch bucket and then found a brand new Koyker model 80 for $1500 which is perfectly sized for my tractor and is a well built loader loader in my opinion.

Has anyone put a Koyker loader on a Legacy tractor before?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[LBrown59]

Has anyone put a Koyker loader on a Legacy tractor before?

Thanks,
Jim

I haven't heard of anybody with one on a Legacy.
Every one I've read about with a loader is a Legacy loader.

 

[HangarDebris]

Well, I finally got it done, it was built with on hand materials but a lot of time was spent due to that. I can see why no one makes loaders for this tractor. It is not an easy task by any means. The final result is very rugged. I worked the crap out of it. It is an awsome combination and does'nt seem to even care if I have a counter weight or not. However with the factory settings on the pump it will not lift a full bucket to maximum height with the little 1.5 inch bore cylinders. Probably due to the long moment arm with this loader. With the entire subframe from the base arms forward to the front structure it does allow use of the 52 inch mower deck without removing the FEL

Here is a picture
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=88349&stc=1&d=1193723348

Hi, I am new to the TBN forums and have been searching for advice in regards to mounting a FEL on my Simplicity Legacy XL 4X4. Due to the styling of the Legacy tractors there are no options regarding factory bult loaders as far as mount kits. I have researched the Kwik-Way loader and persobnaly don't like the width, bucket,Price and manufactures additude. So I started to make my own and have the cylinders and have built a nice 42 inch bucket and then found a brand new Koyker model 80 for $1500 which is perfectly sized for my tractor and is a well built loader loader in my opinion.

Has anyone put a Koyker loader on a Legacy tractor before?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[MJPetersen]

Well done!! Why don't you share a few more pics and any of the process of building the mount that you might have. It looks great!!

Mike

PS in your sig you state that you have NO dirt. How do you plan on using your new capabilities?

 

[HangarDebris]

Thanks Mike, The main mounts are square tubes (Reciever tubes 2 inch inside slides over the 2 inch bolted to the frame). The saddles were made up from 3/16 th and 1/4 high strength steel (because thats what was available). The front support is modified factory suitcase weight support to accomidate the new front frame. I used a plasma cutter to slit 2 by 4 steel tube for the front supports with a piece of 1.5 inch round 4130 DOM seperator while the subframe supports are 3/8 X 2 inch hot rolled bar stock bolted to tabs on the saddle supports and then to 3 inch structural channel welded to 4 inch structural channel crossframe. I used a Lincoln 175 Square Wave TIG.

The dirt is curtious the city water main break which totally washed out and damaged my backyard landscaping. They did pay to fix the swimming pool but haven't budged on paying for the repairs to the landscaping and concrete. Guess they want to pay court and attornies fees too.

The rest can be figured out by viewing the images below:

Well done!! Why don't you share a few more pics and any of the process of building the mount that you might have. It looks great!!

Mike

PS in your sig you state that you have NO dirt. How do you plan on using your new capabilities?

 

[HangarDebris]

PS I even made the hose sleeves from 1000D orange Cordura fabric. It seems to match pretty close and will help protect the hoses. This stuff is very durable and is used in horse tack and sports bags, luggage etc.

Jim

 

[Killer_B]

Very nice looking job! I doubt the factory could have done any better.

Out of curiosity, did you check on the load rating of the front axle vs. the carry capacity of the loader?

KB

 

[LBrown59]

Why didn't you just go with the Simplicity factory installed loader?

Hi, I am new to the TBN forums and have been searching for advice in regards to mounting a FEL on my Simplicity Legacy XL 4X4. Due to the styling of the Legacy tractors there are no options regarding factory bult loaders as far as mount kits. I have researched the Kwik-Way loader and persobnaly don't like the width, bucket,Price and manufactures additude. So I started to make my own and have the cylinders and have built a nice 42 inch bucket and then found a brand new Koyker model 80 for $1500 which is perfectly sized for my tractor and is a well built loader loader in my opinion.

Has anyone put a Koyker loader on a Legacy tractor before?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[SkunkWerX]

Very slick! Very slick indeed!!
Nice work , looks like a good sized bucket.

Be sure to weight down the rear end when lifting the heavy stuff.

Your attention to detail is great, I like the red hose wrapper , makes it look even more "factory".

Thanks for the additional pics!

 

[MJPetersen]

Super!! Simply Super!! You have every right to be very happy with that. First rate craftsmanship and execution. Thanks for the photos.

Mike

 

[AndyMA]

Looks great. Nice adaption of the Koyker loader. I would be proud.

Andy

 

[Grrrr]

You should be very proud of that. Looks excellent.

One day I will own a Simplicity Legacy......One day....... even if I have to import one from the US

Something to look forward to

 

[HangarDebris]

Very nice looking job! I doubt the factory could have done any better.

Out of curiosity, did you check on the load rating of the front axle vs. the carry capacity of the loader?

KB

Thanks for the positive comment, I have not checked on the tractors axle capacity but the furthest forward capacity of my loader is 700 lb. which I would emagine is far less the the robust axle is capable of. A full bucket which i would guess to be about 400# will only go up to half of unloaded height. I am going to have to do some examination into solutions to this.

Jim

 

[HangarDebris]

The Quick-Way loader (sold for Simplicity) is $3800 plus freight, plus tax and the bucket is too big. The Koyker I bought locally at the Import tractor dealer for $1500 plus 7.75% sales tax. It is better built, narrower and prettier (is that a possible consideration?) However it was a challenge to build the mounts. Still I prefer the Koyker loader.

 

[bx23barry]

Kool! Good job! Could the "not going all the way up" thing have anything to do with fluid capacity? Looks like dual acting cylinders so maybe not.

 

[HangarDebris]

I really do not know, my first tractor. I suspect my pressure is regulated at 1500 PSI (I'll have to check the manual) and the loader is specified for 2000 PSI I think. Jamming full throttle gives me 6 more inches and thats it. Could also be fluid capacity as the transaxle is every thing I believe. Strange this is it was originally equipped with 6,000 PSI Safeway Quick connects that do not interchange with Ag type. I changed them out for $40, the Safeway male nipples alone were $70. I hate proprietory parts!

Kool! Good job! Could the "not going all the way up" thing have anything to do with fluid capacity? Looks like dual acting cylinders so maybe not.

Here are some images from the rear of the mounts to see the mods to the brake pedal required:

 

[randyny]

Wow, that is really slick. And a beautiful finish.

On the factory loader, the main support bar is attached to the frame via a subframe of 3/8" steel, the subframe is about 20" long so it spreads out the force a bit and makes the whole shebang quite a bit stiffer. Although with your obvious skill I'm sure you can add it if you deem necessary.


And dang, that loader is 3800 now - it was 3200 list 2 years ago when I got mine (for 3K), which is still high.

 

[jimmer2880]

Looks like a top notch job. Nice work.

Did you buy the "starter kit" from Koyker for the mounts, or just start from complete scratch?

I ordered a koyker 80 a couple weeks ago with the "starter kit" and am curious what is going to come with it.

 

[lawn_king]

Great job jim! Can you stop by my shop, i have like a thousand things i need you to build for me!