That is very impressive and you have amazing skills. I have to wonder though how much time you spent on this and if you came out ahead? Someone with your skills likely earns a pretty good wage. I too like to build a lot of things myself ( not of this caliber) but I have found over time that I am often ahead spending my time doing what I do for a living and just buying the item instead.
Homemade loader for Branson tractor
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- branson homemade loader loader
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ptsg
Super Member
Actually, I do use the winch for all kind of stuff. I use it much more than I thought I would.
Thank you bdog.
I started this project about a year ago. Then I stopped messing with it for about 8 or 9 months. So in the last 3 months I've been pushing this a bit harder. It does take a lot of time to make this. I had a bit for free time, so it was not a big deal.
I do like to make my build my own things. It's always a learning experience and you can make it fit your needs.
I spent slightly less 1000$ on this loader, not counting my time. This includes 4 cylinder seal kits, chrome rod (6.8 ft), cylinder barrel (6.5 ft), control valve (50$ used), 32 ft of 5/8" hydraulic tubing, various hydraulic fittings, hoses and quick disconnects, a couple runs to the scrapyard to get sheet metal for the bucket and some other parts and a couple runs to steel supplier to get stock for pins and so on.
I had most of the steel on had. The rectangular tubing came from a A-frame crane I had. If I had to buy everything, I think it would go over 3000$, not counting my time.
I could send the tractor to a company up north and they would mount a new loader on my tractor for about 2800$. But they would just send the tractor back with the weights and winch sitting on the bucket, which is not something I want.
How much FEL weight is your tractor rated for and is your bucket the right size for that? My tractor bucket is 5'wide, will lift at full height with a full bucket of dirt @ around 2000 rpm, it's all it wants. I figure if it's is design to lift that then it shouldn't break the front end.
Looks like you now have a cutting edge on the bucket now, have you done a new video lately on digging dirt?
Looks like you now have a cutting edge on the bucket now, have you done a new video lately on digging dirt?
OP
ptsg
Super Member
There is a tag on the tractor that says the Permissible front axle load at 870 kgs (1918 lbs).
I built the loader by matching the specs with the loader that Branson sells over there in the US and the for the design, I used some pictures from a local company that builds loaders and all kinds of attachments.
I did run some numbers some time ago, I was getting around 1600 kgs (3527 lbs) lift capacity at the pins, close to the ground and about 750 kgs (1653 lbs) full height (106").
The bucket is much narrower that what you guys use there. It's 51" wide. I'm sure I can lift a full bucket of dirt at full height easily, just idling.
I don't have any video of it working for now. We're having quite a bit of a very welcome rain at the moment and I don't really have any dirt work for the loader for now. Mostly carrying wood once it stops raining.
I built the loader by matching the specs with the loader that Branson sells over there in the US and the for the design, I used some pictures from a local company that builds loaders and all kinds of attachments.
I did run some numbers some time ago, I was getting around 1600 kgs (3527 lbs) lift capacity at the pins, close to the ground and about 750 kgs (1653 lbs) full height (106").
The bucket is much narrower that what you guys use there. It's 51" wide. I'm sure I can lift a full bucket of dirt at full height easily, just idling.
I don't have any video of it working for now. We're having quite a bit of a very welcome rain at the moment and I don't really have any dirt work for the loader for now. Mostly carrying wood once it stops raining.
OP
ptsg
Super Member
For two reasons, one is because 51" is 1.3 meters, which almost matches the width of the tractor (1.4 meters or 55"). The second reason is because the 5/16" thick sheet metal I had from the scrapyard had a really bad dent at around 52" and I really don't have a good way to deal with that.
Thanks for mm to inches, saves me time of looking it up, I'm still in the dark ages with the metric system. I think your 2nd reason is the main reason for 51", dealing with dents is an art, at the ship yard they spot heat then drench with water to straighten out steel. Is all of that bucket 5/16"? that's heavy duty. My bucket is 1/4 thick at best with a 7/16-1/2" x 6" cutting edge, it has wore down some in ten years.
OP
ptsg
Super Member
The second reason definitely makes for the first one. I don't have a oxy acetylene torch, so that makes it even harder.
I bought the sheet metal at the scrapyard. All they had was this massive piles of 20" x 120" x 5/16" sheet metal. And managed to spot the only 1/4" in the middle of the pile.
So I used the 1/4" on the bottom, since doesn't see the much stress as long as it has a cutting edge and using the 5/16" on the back and on the sides. The 5/16" on the back gives me a better base to weld the attaching points for the quick attach.
This makes the bucket quite heavy though, to the point that I barely need the supporting legs when I take the loader off.
I bought the sheet metal at the scrapyard. All they had was this massive piles of 20" x 120" x 5/16" sheet metal. And managed to spot the only 1/4" in the middle of the pile.
So I used the 1/4" on the bottom, since doesn't see the much stress as long as it has a cutting edge and using the 5/16" on the back and on the sides. The 5/16" on the back gives me a better base to weld the attaching points for the quick attach.
This makes the bucket quite heavy though, to the point that I barely need the supporting legs when I take the loader off.
OP
ptsg
Super Member
I decided to go with the Euro style quick attach, instead of the skid-steer type. The Euro one is much more common over here and in my opinion, it's a stronger system than the SSQA. I did maintain the standard dimensions on the quick attach, in case I ever have the need to sell the tractor, the new owner can get whatever attachments he wants for the tractor and it will fit right up.
I used to cut steel with a 4" and 6" angle grinder and when possible, I also have an old power hacksaw. But sometime in January, I came across on one of those cheap plasma cutters and I have to say, that thing is a must to have.
Cost me 140$, it's a 40 amp machine. It will struggle a bit with 3/8" stuff, but will leave a decent finish on 5/16". I can't count how many cutting discs for the angle grinders I've saved with the plasma cutter. I also made cutting curves and shapes much much more easy.
I used to cut steel with a 4" and 6" angle grinder and when possible, I also have an old power hacksaw. But sometime in January, I came across on one of those cheap plasma cutters and I have to say, that thing is a must to have.
Cost me 140$, it's a 40 amp machine. It will struggle a bit with 3/8" stuff, but will leave a decent finish on 5/16". I can't count how many cutting discs for the angle grinders I've saved with the plasma cutter. I also made cutting curves and shapes much much more easy.
