Homemade toolbox examples

[DavidAubke]

It's tough finding a spot to carry anything other than a beverage on a BX. I've seen some fine examples here of homemade toolboxes including this recent one.

I just added a small toolbox to my BX2350. This is an easy project that only requires a little very simple metal fabrication.


The box itself is this toolbox from Northern Tool.

It's held on by two U-bolts and some angle iron.

Carriage bolts and nylon lock nuts attach the box to the angle iron.

I cut a piece of sheet metal from Lowe's (not sure what gauge I used) to reinforce the bottom of the toolbox. Without this, I doubt the plastic box would be able to hang on by two carriage bolts. The toughest part of the project for me was squaring the bolt holes in the metal. I think I ended up grinding them most of the way with a Dremel then just pounding the carriage bolt in there to finish the job.

It's not rock-solid but maybe sturdier than it looks. I had doubts until I tightened everything up. It's been on for around 10 hours and I'm very happy with it.

 

[DavidAubke]

I meant to point out that in the first picture, you can see that the 25CDA Tilt Meter fits well on the loader valve.

 

[Travelover]

Nice project. My only comment is to get rid of the sharp corners and put acorn nuts on the ends of the U bolts. I tend to leave a lot of skin on anything sharp.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Now you have a place to keep some tools, spare pins and stuff. Your sheet metal bottom was a good idea. :thumbsup:

 

[troutsqueezer]

That's very similar to mine: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/199286-b21-toolbox.html

But after only three or four weeks I could see the plastic wasn't going to hold up in the sun and weather in general as it had already begun to lose a lot of its color. Considering I carry a heavy chain in it as well as tools, I thought it wouldn't be too long before I ran over a bump and the whole thing would crack from brittleness.

I replaced it this weekend with a metal version which I will paint with some Kubota Orange II.

 

[Leejohn]

Here is how I done mine. Its just the right size for me.

 

[harper975]

Here's my attempt at a tool box. Made it out of 3/4" square tubing and some expanded metal. Drill and tapped the frame to secure it. Added a place for my 2 year old son to stand.

 

[luc]

I meant to point out that in the first picture, you can see that the 25CDA Tilt Meter fits well on the loader valve.

Not to start an argument here but I fail to understand why some one would use a tilt meter?

Every tractors and situations are differents and if you're fine at 10* with an empty FEL down, what do that mean with a loaded FEL in a higher position?
Most roll over happen because one wheel either go up on a rock,etc or go down in a hole.
A tilt meter is completly wortless in "real" life and can give you a false sense of safety

 

[Gordon Gould]

Not to start an argument here but I fail to understand why some one would use a tilt meter?

Every tractors and situations are differents and if you're fine at 10* with an empty FEL down, what do that mean with a loaded FEL in a higher position?
Most roll over happen because one wheel either go up on a rock,etc or go down in a hole.
A tilt meter is completly wortless in "real" life and can give you a false sense of safety

I would not be so fast to condem them. I have one. When I was a new operator it gave me useful feedback. It helped me get a feel for the tractor.
What you say though is true. Every situation is different. You cant say - OK, I'm good for 15*. That is not what it is ment for.
Now I use it to check my road contours while grading. It is hard to tell what angle you are at on a side cut when you are grading for drainage. I find the tilt meter useful as a rough guage.

 

[jwatt51]

I USED AN 50 CAL AMMO BOX AND BOLTED IT TO LUGS THAT WE'RE ALREADY ON MY SEAT UNDER PLASTIC CAPS WHERE ARM RESTS CAN BOLT TO.

 

[Stargazer]

Hi Leejohn:
If I may inquire where did you get the step(if you have part # manufacture) or is it homemade. Find as getting older first step is getting harder esp with boots winter coat on!!

Thanx Pat R

 

[DavidAubke]

This is perfect. I was hoping that by naming the thread this way others might add their projects. I remember a nice one made from pvc pipe (painted Kubota Orange) just strapped to the loader frame but can't find it right now.

I like using this board to find examples of others' homemade improvements but they're not always easy to find. I'm hoping that by using this name, the thread can be found easily by someone trying to figure out how to add a toolbox to their tractor.

It would be really cool to see other similar threads for things like ballast boxes, canopies, skid plates, loader forks, etc.

 

[DavidAubke]

Not to start an argument here but I fail to understand why some one would use a tilt meter?

Every tractors and situations are differents and if you're fine at 10* with an empty FEL down, what do that mean with a loaded FEL in a higher position?
Most roll over happen because one wheel either go up on a rock,etc or go down in a hole.
A tilt meter is completly wortless in "real" life and can give you a false sense of safety

You're absolutely right that a tilt meter is not to be used to decide whether you're safe or not in any given situation. I have always used my clenchometer to make that judgment. The tilt meter is nice for keeping my butt calibrated.

I think that after prolonged use on slopes or uneven terrain, your internal gauge can get a little out of tolerance. The meter is nice to glance at every once in a while to confirm that reality matches your senses.

Also, it can be useful for grading.

 

[Tom_H]

This is perfect. I was hoping that by naming the thread this way others might add their projects. I remember a nice one made from pvc pipe (painted Kubota Orange) just strapped to the loader frame but can't find it right now.

I like using this board to find examples of others' homemade improvements but they're not always easy to find. I'm hoping that by using this name, the thread can be found easily by someone trying to figure out how to add a toolbox to their tractor.

There are several old threads in the archives on this subject. Just use the search function.

It would be really cool to see other similar threads for things like ballast boxes, canopies, skid plates, loader forks, etc.

There are hundreds of threads on those subjects in the archives. One can just browse by going back a page of threads at a time, or use the search function.

Just curious, as you mention things not always being easy to find. Have you had difficulties in getting the search function to work for you?

 

[PossumHound]

Here's my attempt at a tool box. Made it out of 3/4" square tubing and some expanded metal. Drill and tapped the frame to secure it. Added a place for my 2 year old son to stand.

Duck- here come the safety police!

 

[Gordon Gould]

here is mine

 

[jimmer2880]

Here's my attempt at a tool box. Made it out of 3/4" square tubing and some expanded metal. Drill and tapped the frame to secure it. Added a place for my 2 year old son to stand.

I like it. I may have to copy that for mine

 

[Leejohn]

Hi Leejohn:
If I may inquire where did you get the step(if you have part # manufacture) or is it homemade. Find as getting older first step is getting harder esp with boots winter coat on!!

Thanx Pat R

I made it. I use one 5/16th bolt to hold it on, could hold it on with a pin. I haven't tried the pin yet because I thought it might rattle. It has to come off when I put my deck on, but only takes a min. It is also adjustable in and out about 1 1/2", I use mine all the way out. Maybe I could make you one if you would like one. PM me.

 

[Leejohn]

Pat I just looked at your profile and see you have a BX23. I'm not sure that would work for you. Would have to do more checking before I could make one.
Lee

 

[boggen]

It's tough finding a spot to carry anything other than a beverage on a BX. I've seen some fine examples here of homemade toolboxes including this recent one.

I just added a small toolbox to my BX2350. This is an easy project that only requires a little very simple metal fabrication.


The box itself is this toolbox from Northern Tool.

It's held on by two U-bolts and some angle iron.


Carriage bolts and nylon lock nuts attach the box to the angle iron.


I cut a piece of sheet metal from Lowe's (not sure what gauge I used) to reinforce the bottom of the toolbox. Without this, I doubt the plastic box would be able to hang on by two carriage bolts. The toughest part of the project for me was squaring the bolt holes in the metal. I think I ended up grinding them most of the way with a Dremel then just pounding the carriage bolt in there to finish the job.


It's not rock-solid but maybe sturdier than it looks. I had doubts until I tightened everything up. It's been on for around 10 hours and I'm very happy with it.

get yourself some J bolts and then adapter to go between the ends of the U clamps to J bolts. and you can hang chains from, or 5 gallon buckets of tools from.

though at quick look, i might encourage a little bit bigger U clamps. at least if it was me. i would most likely end up bending those U clamps, with what i fill 5 gallon buckets up at times.