How to build a Skid Steer to 3pt adapter?

cwave · Feb 25, 2003

I'm always coming up with Idea's for some attachment - Right now I looking to mount a couple of 55 gallon drums to catch some water. Next dry season I'll be able to water my trees.

MossRoad · Feb 25, 2003

Dude! You're gettin' a quick attach! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif (Couldn't resist)

MossRoad · Feb 25, 2003

( getting 3 Skid Steer plates for a total of $225 instead of making the adapter )

Now that sounds like a great idea. If you can mount the skid steer plate so that it does not interfere with the 3pt, all it will cost you is the $75.00 + some steel stock, maybe.

$75.00 to get a dual use implement sounds like a great price to me! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Mosey · Feb 25, 2003

Another advantage of a Skid Steer plate on each implement instead of making the adapter is that it will be less weight overall for each implement when I'm using it on the FEL since I won't have the weight of the Quick Hitch. Unfortunately, I'll have more weight when I use an implement on the 3pt since I'll have the added weight of the Skid Steer plate. This will be an advantage on the grader blade, but a disadvantage on the pallet mover and boom pole. Just another thing for me to consider!

I did some measuring and the dimensions of the 3pt brackets on the 3 implements mentioned are not the same. The pallet mover has the lower pins 25" apart and the top bracket is 18" above them. The grader blade has the lower pins 26" apart and the top bracket is 15 3/4" above them. The boom pole has the lower pins 27 3/4" apart and the top bracket is 27" above them. I don't know the dimensions of the TSC Quick Hitch yet, so I'll measure it next time I'm there. I'm starting to see where the Kasco adapter becomes worth it's $500! From the looks of it in the picture, it looks like it can be adjusted to match a variety of dimensions.

Hoeman00 · Feb 27, 2003

I built a 3 PT quick tach to go on the front of my SSL(same set up that u are doing).
I used my Speeco QT and instead of welding to the plate,I built the plate and welded 2 1x4x4 HRS plates w/ 7/8 holes at bottom and 2 w/ 3/4 holes at top.
This way I can pin the QT on and take off to use it for rear tractor.
Mosey did u see the plates on top link in your pic. on the other thread?

Mosey · Feb 27, 2003

Hoeman00 - ( Mosey did u see the plates on top link in your pic. on the other thread? )

No, I don't know what you're referring to. ??

Mosey · Feb 27, 2003

( I checked with my John Deere Dealer - he quoted $220 for an Imatch Quick Hitch - I paid around $75 for the Bobcat skid steer blank plate.

JD Quick Hitch ------- 220.
Skid Steer plate ------- 75.
-------------------
Sub Total $295.

+ Welding $$$$$$

Got my plates at a John Deere/Bobcat Dealer
)

I just checked 2 Bobcat dealers here in Indiana and one sells the Skid Steer plates for $90 and the other sells them for $95. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Hoeman00 · Feb 28, 2003

Hoeman00 - ( Mosey did u see the plates on top link in your pic. on the other thread? )

No, I don't know what you're referring to. ??

Your post (TSC quick hitch) under Attachments.
The top link adapter u had ?? about are shown in the pic of the TSC Q-T, it is bolted thru the back hole on top.
I've seen the bobcat plates but I had a 1/2" plate and used this for extra strength.
I use this plate for other attachments, it has a 2" tube for trailer hitches and other blocks to mount 7.5' Western plow.
I found the difference in price at bobcat also.
For my other adapters I bought 1/2 x 2" strap and 1/4 x 10" strap to make my own.
I think top is 45* and bottom is 60* angles for the plates.
Now to really confuse matters this is for sale on the classifieds
it has SSL Q-T and hydro PTO this is the website.
www.wide-range.us

Mosey · Feb 28, 2003

( Hoeman00 - The top link adapter u had ?? about are shown in the pic of the TSC Q-T, it is bolted thru the back hole on top.)

OK, I see what you're talking about now. I can see how that would make it able to fit various implements, but would require getting off the tractor to hook it up. I'll have to decide if I would rather use that or modify each implement so the hook will work. I really don't mind getting off the tractor right now, but as I get older I may prefer not to. Thanks for the link. Never saw a Skid Steer with a bush hog before!

Hoeman00 · Feb 28, 2003

Glad to help, it took a little while and w/ the extra posts.

Mosey · Mar 3, 2003

I was able to find a dealer that sells a Bradco "Skid Steer mount to 3pt hitch adapter" for $370. It has adjustable lower brackets and an adjustable upper bracket, but it's not a quick hitch like the Worksaver Kasco one.

I'm leaning more and more toward the idea of getting 3 blank skid steer plates and putting them on each of the implements I plan to use on the FEL. I can do that for under $300 and have less weight overall.

Spencer · Mar 3, 2003

Mosey, I like the look of that Bradco unit. I especially like the double sided hook (I have to turn my hook upside down to hook up my boom pole) they have on top and the large adjustment range of that hook. I wouldn't worry about it not being a quick-hitch type, I would probably actually prefer it, It is $70 more than the 3 plates would cost you but if you end up with a fourth attachment it will cost you $30 less, plus there will be no welding or modifications involved. If you wanted to sell or trade in any of your 3-point attachments you would be better off if they weren't modified. Also you could sell the Bradco unit someday but you could never get your money back out of the plates. I do agree with you about the less weight issue though.

Mosey · Mar 4, 2003

You make some good points Spencer. I've got some time to think about it, since my FEL is not here yet anyway. I've been trying to think of what else besides the boom pole, pallet mover, and grader blade that I might get someday and want to use on the FEL. So far, I haven't come up with anything.

Mosey · Mar 4, 2003

Spencer - I was reading your thread My Personnel Lift Project. Very impressive! I came across the picture of the Bobcat quick-tach plate. I found a dealer in Indy that sells them for $90 and another in Ft. Wayne that sells them for $79 (I can stop by the next time I make a trip to MI to visit family). I'm glad I saw your picture, I didn't realize the inside would be open, I expected a solid plate. Next time you get a chance (no hurry, I don't have the FEL yet!), would you mind measuring the overall width and height and the width of the open part in the middle? The dealer didn't have any in stock. depending on the width of the opening, I might have to add a cross brace across the bottom to attach it to my 3pt implements, so I wanted to get an idea what would be required. How much work I have to do will affect my decision on whether to use the plates or get the Bradco adapter.

Hoeman00 · Mar 5, 2003

Bradco also has blank plates and they are solid face.
U can see them at:
http://www.abcgroff.com/ic/indust.htm
Click on Bradco, then misc, then adapter plates.

Mosey · Mar 5, 2003

Thanks Hoeman00. I checked them and unfortunately they are a lot more money. The cheapest I could find was $180.

Hoeman00 · Mar 5, 2003

I was thinking u could build something like it.
Do u have any fab shops near by?
A new company built a shop down the road and I'm going to buy a full sheet of 1/4" plate and get it sheared and bent to the right specs plus it will give me 4 plates at the price of 1 store bought.
I bought some forklifts at auction and used the parts off of a 4 K walkie to go on my SSL.

Spencer · Mar 6, 2003

( Spencer... Next time you get a chance (no hurry, I don't have the FEL yet!), would you mind measuring the overall width and height and the width of the open part in the middle? )

Mosey, sorry this took so long but I haven't been able to get outside to measure this until today. These are fairly rough measurements (see attachment) I didn't have a lot of time. The 19 1/8" measurement is from the top to the very bottom of the angled flange (not just the flat part).

Mosey · Mar 6, 2003

Thanks a lot Spencer! That was a big favor (going out in the snow and cold) for someone you've never actually met. I really appreciate it!

Spencer · Mar 6, 2003

( ... for someone you've never actually met.)

Ya, my last plan to buy you dinner didn't work out. I might be passing by again around the end of the month. There is a job down in Lebanon Kentucky that I might get. I'll let you know.