Members home made attachments / improvements

[IslandTractor]

Barryh,
Just an observation. Looking at your pictures, I noticed that you have a tooth bar installed. I just bought mine from Markham and was not sure on which side of the bucket to mount the square plate they supplied with the bolt mount.

That square plate is supposed to be welded to the bucket wall presumably to prevent the bolt hole from elongating. However, there is very little stress on that bolt so I think this is an example of overengineering and overcomplicating the installation. The force exerted on a toothbar is almost entirely against the bucket lip as the teeth slip over and under the lip and are tightly pushed against the lip. The bolt on the toothbar tabs really just prevents the unlikely occurance of having the toothbar slip off the bucket. I suppose it also prevents the toothbar from wiggling up and down but the lever arm is such that there are not great forces involved. That said, if you do install the square piece it could be either inside or outside the bucket as either would serve the same purpose of preventing the hole from eventually enlongating. Lacking instructions, I used mine on the outside but never bothered to weld it as simply compressing it with the bolt added enough friction to keep it from moving.

 

[Rivco]

Barry,
How is your custom grapple working out ?. Did you notice much battery drain after using it ( slow starting, dim lights ) ?. Is there anything you would do differently if you were to build another one ?.

 

[Barryh]

Barry,
How is your custom grapple working out ?. Did you notice much battery drain after using it ( slow starting, dim lights ) ?. Is there anything you would do differently if you were to build another one ?.

No sign of dimming lights or slow starting as of yet, I haven't really used it that much at present just here and there.

As far as doing anything different, I would use the next actuator up. Even though Im very happy with the results, and the one I have is sufficient.

I think like the rest of you guys on this forum. Bigger is always better... I would rather have more power than I need, rather than just enough for the task at hand ........

 

[Barryh]

Ohh yeah, and the next time I would use a welder much quicker......

 

[Red Zebra]

Hey folks!

A couple of mods I came up with.

First mod: I noticed the grass would get burned wherever the PT was sitting and running--bucket work, fork work, etc.
The exhaust was so forceful and hot it would scortch grass and kick up dust in areas where there was none. Didn't want to attenuate the exhaust...hence a diffuser/redirecter (is that a real word?). Seems to work well without adding backpressure. Also seems to direct sound to the rear.

*Second mod in next post.

 

[Red Zebra]

Second mod:
A small excavation bucket. It's 30in wide. With five 1/2"w by 3"L teeth.
The bucket floor and rear are 3/8". The sides and tooth bar mount are 1/4".
The back is braced by 1" x 2" tubing and 3/8" flat stock.

I found the basic bucket at the scrap yard...added the tooth bar and mount....voila = poor mans SMB. Or a "mini' SMB. Because of the 2" hitch mount I'm not sure a wider bucket would be wise...with all the lateral forces.

Anyway a few pics. This is why I love PT...easy mods...whatever you dream up it can be done!

 

[Barryh]

Second mod:
A small excavation bucket. It's 30in wide. With five 1/2"w by 3"L teeth.
The bucket floor and rear are 3/8". The sides and tooth bar mount are 1/4".
The back is braced by 1" x 2" tubing and 3/8" flat stock.

I found the basic bucket at the scrap yard...added the tooth bar and mount....voila = poor mans SMB. Or a "mini' SMB. Because of the 2" hitch mount I'm not sure a wider bucket would be wise...with all the lateral forces.

Anyway a few pics. This is why I love PT...easy mods...whatever you dream up it can be done!

Very clever, and great job. Its amazing how those hitch mounts can add so much more versatility to the ol PT.

 

[Red Zebra]

The mini SMB works well. Really digs into dry clay without much effort if I don't dig deeper than 6" at a time. I can take full scoops of losse soil and rock without problems.

.....And because it works so well:
Next weekend I plan to add 3" tall x 1/4" flat stock along the back and down the side to give it more capacity.

Will try to post new pics if I get it done.

 

[Barryh]

For those that have PM'ed me on how I rigged my ripper attachment. I just took some 48 inch hitch tubing which I never got around to cutting down in size. Drilled two holes on either end. Bolted a 6,000 pound clevis mount to the business end. Ran a box blade shank in-between the mount. Via ripper

On the top is a piece of 3/8 thick inch steel I had laying around. I drilled a hole through it, added two small square steel plates to act as washers on either end.

Then ran the bolt through the steel piece and tube, along with some chain link for extra hold. Torqued the piece down tight. The plate is resting against the top of the shank holding it in place. Nothing complicated hope this helps.

 

[Barryh]

Ok, I've been thinking about this from day one. I'm sure this will amuse you guys. I was talking this over with my neighbor when I sold him the 180. He thought it was a very cool idea. At the time I was still on the fence as to which I would buy, a regular tractor or PT 422 / 425.

When I bought my tractor already being a PT guy, I was a little more than torn. What really helped me a lot to make the decision to buy a regular tractor over another PT? The idea in the back of my head of taking the front bucket off. Having a thick piece of steel welded / configured I could bolt to the front.

Then buying a PT-400 serious adapter and Attachment plate and have it welded on. This way I could make use of PT's attachments with my Bota. As strange as it may look or sound, I really could care less as long as it works. A sort of Kubota, PT hybrid if you will. I'll be exploring this more when the weather breaks.

Even though I believe Kubota already makes a form of quick attach for the front of their tractors. I think mostly so you can conveniently use 3-point attachments, front forks etc.... it's still no where close to PT's setup.

I know?.....Why not just buy another PT ???

I love a lot of things about the Kubota, the wide comfortable ride platform and handling. The diesel engine is smooth and powerful. 4x4 works great and the lift is really high. Will be great for loading mulch / material into the back of my truck. Also the 3-point on the back is really nice and very handy for having a second attachment in use. I bought an adaptor for it that makes for quick on and off of attachments.

On another note, I also love the almost unlimited versatility of the PT. It's quick on and off attachment capabilities along with a wide selection of attachments. So to me it would be the best of both worlds. Figured I would wait for warm weather and closer to taking the project on before I said anything but what the heck, thought it might give you guys little something to grin about.