Help detaching 200CX

[chipsndust]

Has anyone detached the loader WITHOUT the bucket on it?
The manual says "Be sure loader is equipped with a materials bucket."

Here's my problem:
I have the loader and bucket detached and as far to the back of my shed as I can get it. I lack about one foot of space to be able to get my gator in the shed and close the doors. I measured and I can see that the gator would fit inside behind the loader if the bucket was not on. I don't mind leaving the bucket out all winter, but I hate to leave the loader out if I can avoid it.

Here's my plan:
I'm thinking about taking the bucket off and bolting a 2X6 across the loader arms in the bucket's place, to distribute the weight while detaching the loader. The shed has a solid, level floor, and using a 2X6 instead of the bucket will give me enough space to get the loader and the gator in for the winter.

Has anyone tried anything like this?
Do you see a problem with it?
Thanks

BTW
I did break the kick stand on the loader, less than a week after I bought it. Since then I've been very careful about detaching on solid level surface.

 

[kennyd]

I have never tried, seen, or heard of this being done...but the 2x6 idea is a good one and certainly worth a try. Please post how it work with pictures please.

 

[chipsndust]

Thanks, Kenny, I was hoping to hear from you!

I thought it would be worth a try. I hope to get to it in the next day or so, I'll let you know how it works.

 

[hanson1999]

have taken my 200cx off many times with bucket off. no problem i have a gravel floor in shed, i just put a 2x6 down for the kickstand to slide on and never had a problem.

 

[Runner]

"I have the loader and bucket detached and as far to the back of my shed as I can get it. I lack about one foot of space to be able to get my gator in the shed and close the doors. I measured and I can see that the gator would fit inside behind the loader if the bucket was not on."

I wonder if there is a way you could leave the bucket on and just jack up and block the rear of the loader frame so you would have enough room to drive the nose of the Gator under it?

 

[chipsndust]

have taken my 200cx off many times with bucket off. no problem i have a gravel floor in shed, i just put a 2x6 down for the kickstand to slide on and never had a problem.

Hanson:
That's good to know. Do you just lay a 2X6 on the floor between and parallel to the loader arms? Wouldn't the loader "rock" on one in the center?

 

[chipsndust]

I wonder if there is a way you could leave the bucket on and just jack up and block the rear of the loader frame so you would have enough room to drive the nose of the Gator under it?

Runner:
I thought about that, or, I could lift it from the rafter trusses, and then block it. Just seems easier (and probably safer) if I can avoid that.

 

[chipsndust]

Well, I got the loader and the gator in the shed.

I used a 2X4 (instead of 2X6) in place of the bucket. Gained less space than I thought, because the bucket holders on the ends of the arms are extended, but it was enough to get everything to fit.

Drilled holes through the 2X4, ran bolts through the 2X4, the bucket holder, and metal pieces on the back side of the holders with flat washers.
Worked really well, no problems, in fact it might even be easier, because of visibility in getting as close to the back wall as possible.

 

[kennyd]

Interesting-but not what I had envisioned!

I was thinking the 2x4 would go on the bottom of the shoes to help support the part that would touch the floor if the shoes where vertical. You would gain at least another foot this way...

 

[hanson1999]

ya why are you bothering with the board at all?? looks like you have a nice wood floor to set it on leave the arms vertical like kennyd said. the board is a waste of time from what i can see???? i unhook with no bucket or board on the front arms all the time...no problems.

I use a board under the park stand because i unhook on gravel floor and the park stand slides forward and backward easily on the board. heard many stories of bent parking stands on the 200cx

 

[Willl]

ya why are you bothering with the board at all?

Ditto, I see no need for it.

 

[chipsndust]

ya why are you bothering with the board at all?? looks like you have a nice wood floor to set it on leave the arms vertical like kennyd said. the board is a waste of time from what i can see???? i unhook with no bucket or board on the front arms all the time...no problems.

I use a board under the park stand because i unhook on gravel floor and the park stand slides forward and backward easily on the board. heard many stories of bent parking stands on the 200cx

kenny, hanson, Willl:

Maybe I need to give this another try?!
I had the holders (with the board attached) pointing straight down and against the back wall. When I moved the SCV through all positions to relieve pressure, the holders settled to horizontal (flat on the floor) and the loader moved backwards.

I think I'll try it like kenny suggested, board attached to loader arms, instead of holders, with holders retracted (pointing up). With no weight on the holders, they should stay up when I toggle the control stick. If that works, it would give me another foot of space.

I might even get brave and try it without the 2X4.

I'll let you know how it works

 

[chipsndust]

Thanks, guys!

Holders up, no board, gained about 14", no problems.

 

[kennyd]

Awesome! Thanks for the pictures!

 

[atschirner]

Does this leave room to slide the bucket under the loader arms so everything is tucked in for the winter?

 

[chipsndust]

Does this leave room to slide the bucket under the loader arms so everything is tucked in for the winter?

atschirner:
I'm not concerned about the bucket being out all winter, (no hydraulics or non-metallic parts).

I didn't verify, but it looks like the bucket would fit under the loader arms. Even if it would fit, I don't have any means of getting it there, with the loader off the tractor

 

[kennyd]

I had the opportunity to try this today with my 410 loader, I can assure you all this will NOT work well-at least with the 410 on my 4110.

First issue was I could not get the loader arms to go down far enough to lift the front wheels to take the pressure off of the latch mechanism. So I put wood 4x4 blocks under the arms so solve that problem...Next there was not enough weight to "pull" the loader free from the tractor. So instead of just stopping like a smart person would do...I got off the tractor and pulled on it to start it up and off the mounts.

OK, so now I got the loader off and go to re-attach it-should be easy right? Well, the loader shifted, then fell off of the blocks! Now I get it back close to aligning with the tractor and use the hydraulics to pull it on as usual but since the arms are now on the floor the latch mechanism won't engage because it's not high enough!

I struggled (and cursed once or twice) for about 1/2 hour till I finally got it back on!

So, for all you 200CX loader guy's-go for it! If you have the older loader's keep the bucket on just like the instructions say!

 

[chipsndust]

Kenny:
Do you think it's because of the height of the front wheels on the 4110, compared to the 2305? Sounds like it was close, if you only needed 4" blocks.
Sorry to hear it didn't work out for you, but now we know, and no damage done.

 

[kennyd]

Kenny:
Do you think it's because of the height of the front wheels on the 4110, compared to the 2305? Sounds like it was close, if you only needed 4" blocks.
Sorry to hear it didn't work out for you, but now we know, and no damage done.

That is very possible...but I am NOT going to experiment again!