Look What Followed Me Home (w/Pictures!)....

[TBDonnelly]

This picture shows the home fabricated 3 point receiver hitch. It started with an off the shelf drawbar. An old 2" receiver hitch was flipped down side up and the ends were cut off. Two holes were drilled through the hitch to mount it to the draw bar. Material for the upright was spare tubing I was saving for a special project. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Also welded a flat bar for a pin style hitch to the side and 2 chain hooks. Little did I know how handy this set-up would be for next project.....

Picture 10 of 16

 

[TBDonnelly]

Driveway grader, dirt leveler, final grade dresser, grass rougher upper. This attachment was built from an old 'gate'. Outfitted with commercial grade chain link fence. (first version had residential grade and lets just say it did not hold up very well.) The design also included a lift for transport and backing up capabilities. Note the bed rails welded on to the gate frame, they have a purpose.

Picture 11 of 16

 

[TBDonnelly]

It's all about weight. Two I beams weighing a total of 270 pounds firmly plant the fence to the ground. The grader does an excellent job leveling out the high spots and filling in the low spots.

Picture 12 of 16

 

[TBDonnelly]

The rig is pulled by two chains attached to the front corners of the gate frame and the chain hooks on the 3 point receiver hitch. The lifting contraption is lowered and the two chains take over for the 'pulling'. The lifting contraption was a pick up truck bed extender and still can be utilized for that purpose. The horizontal tubing was upgraded to a thicker walled version to hold-up to the weight. A couple inexpensive ratchet straps provided an adjustable means of balancing the load.

Picture 13 of 16

 

[TBDonnelly]

.....and some extra headlight protection. Had some scrap expanded metal. Used the electrolysis process to remove and neutralize the rust prior to painting. Nice coat of Kioti black. Cut an extra metal plate to sandwich and hold the expanded metal at the bottom. Added a utilitarian tie down loop for good measure.

Picture 14 of 16

 

[TBDonnelly]

The loader forks have already proved themselves to be quite handy on their very first project. Had to transport some deckboards from a disassembled deck. Had 32 deck boards 17 foot in length that needed to go through a 12 foot fence opening. Up and over the 4 foot high fence. In the picture the loader forks demonstrate the lift..... Other than the lift to cross over the fence, low and slow to move this load safely. Did not have far to go.

Picture 15 of 16

 

[TBDonnelly]

Here's 50 deck boards with varying lengths up top 12 feet. The rear mounted sprayer comes in handy for rear ballast. This lift height is for demonstration purposes only. Low and slow is my motto......

Incidentally, in my situation, the turf tires have met my needs handily. I have level ground with mostly grass to criss-cross. I've grated the driveway, had gravel to the top of the 72" rear blade and the tractor w/ the turf tires did not even blink. I've also box bladed (60" box blade) a final grade on about 1/2 acre of property with impressive results.

The unsung hero in all of this is a CK30HST w/turf tires and the KL130 front end loader. The CK30HST has been a wonderful 'attachment' for the front and rear implements, has more than lived up to my expectations and has proven to be formidable partner in the journey to enhance the natural beauty of this piece of the planet for which I call home.

Thanks for listening and hope you enjoyed the pictures!


TB'Don'nelly
A veteran TBN'r formerly known as 'shoppintractors' is done shoppin' /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[TBDonnelly]

<font color="blue"> Good lands, how long are those forks? </font>

Jerry, those forks are long enough that I can just about see the tips while sitting in the seat of the tractor. I have an identical second set I may cut down and make them a bit shorter. The long ones work really good to pierce through and aerate the compost pile. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Don

 

[albmn10]

Congratulations Don, those forks do look handy... I was very curious how the turf tires would do for grading and ground work. From your lawn shots the turfs seem like they do very well.. Enjoy your new toy... Matt

 

[KiotiJohn]

Well Don, I'm impressed. I really like the way you set up those forks. Being able to just move them to the back in a moment is a big help. I can see lots of times I could use that setup. You also get a lot of strength when using those brackets for chain hooks.

The pics are very good. Looks like you have a little piece of heaven to work/play on too.

I hope that after all this time, it's not anticlimactic to finally get the tractor!
John