Powertrac to ssqa adapter

[2manyrocks]

10.8 degrees which I roughly copied from ponytug's adapter in the sense that he used 2x2 tubing at the bottom to establish his angle. I couldn't find enough flat plate in the dimensions needed to totally copy his adapter, but I had enough 2x2 heavy wall tubing on hand to make this version.

Already seeing things I wish I'd changed. If I had used two vertical tubes in the very center of the adapter, I could have sandwiched a receiver hitch tube between them....

Overall, I suspect PowerTracManiac may have the better approach because the basic SSQA adapter he used as a starting point is already completed, and he didn't have to source a lot of other materials other than the angle his welding shop was able to provide.

 

[2manyrocks]

To illustrate the missed opportunity, I think I could have welded in a receiver tube between two tubes spaced in the center if I had thought of it before welding this up.

The latches don't seem to operate that smoothly compared to my Kubota (grease will help that). I welded in a couple of stops and a guide plate. Had to cut the latch arms down a bit to clear the PT plate.

 

[Xfaxman]

Make sure they go over center when the pin is latched down with the lever pulled up in your case:

 

[2manyrocks]

Thank you. Is there a way to know when the latch spring is correctly tensioned?

 

[Xfaxman]

I guess it is correctly tensioned when the latch pin stays down and latched.

What is the reason that your levers work backwards to latch and unlatch?

This is normal:

 

[2manyrocks]

You are correct. I installed them the wrong way after I took them off to weld the adapter. The latch arms should push down to engage and pull up to disengage the pins.

It looks like I have full engagement and disengagement, but it would have been better not to have reversed the manner of engagement.

 

[PowerTracManiac]

Nice work 2 many.
Couldnt u could still weld in a receiver tube to the side of the center post? I don't think being very slightly off center for the receiver tube will affect it significantly.

Also, as suggested above the adapter angle is a compromise. The curl is somewhat limited at full extension in either direction on my PT1460-even with stock implements and no adapter. Since most implements are usually run in the middle range of the curl and not the extremes, I think your angle will prolly work out OK.
I had my adapter welded up and I am considering what my first SSQA implement should be?
EIther a post hole digger for planting some trees or a sickle bar mower so I can go down my driveway and trials and trim small branches?
After I buy a SSQA implement I will report back on my adapter angles and how things are working.

 

[2manyrocks]

I need to stop and make certain that the pins lock in place the way I've welded my adapter.

My original plan was to fabricate something to snake out some trees using the factory PT plate. Now that I've used the factory PT plate for this adapter, I'm going to change my plans. I think I'll buy a blank SSQA plate and fabricate a tree hoist that maybe incorporates a receiver hitch.

Have vaguely thought about suspending a cordless hedge trimmer off a SSQA plate to mow some creek banks.....

 

[MossRoad]

Got a spare $3K+?

FH-BRM Boom Sickle Hedge Cutter | Betstco Sales, Parts, and Service:

Got ditches to mow, hedges to trim? Brush overgrowing your driveway? Shrub that needs to be controlled? Our sickle hedge cutter is a perfect solution for maintaining hedges, ditches, and shrubs along side roadways and fields.

betstco.com

 

[2manyrocks]

I think I could spend $100 on an SSQA plate and fabricate a mount for a cordless pole saw hedge trimmer with the material I have laying around. These cordless hedge trimmers have enough power to cut through a briar patch. The trouble is they are tiring to hand hold for any extended period because the weight of the cutting head and the length of the pole saw shaft create leverage against me. Should be relatively easy to take some tubing to fabricate a carrier to mount on a SSQA plate. It won't have the flexibility or cutting speed of the $3k cutter, but I think it could be enough to chop a few weeds off the creek bank.

 

[ponytug]

Got a spare $3K+?

FH-BRM Boom Sickle Hedge Cutter | Betstco Sales, Parts, and Service:

Got ditches to mow, hedges to trim? Brush overgrowing your driveway? Shrub that needs to be controlled? Our sickle hedge cutter is a perfect solution for maintaining hedges, ditches, and shrubs along side roadways and fields.

betstco.com

Didn't Charlie Iliff (@Charlie_Iliff) fabricate a vertical sickle bar hedge trimmer for keeping his trails from being overgrown?

All the best,

Peter

 

[MossRoad]

Didn't Charlie Iliff (@Charlie_Iliff) fabricate a vertical sickle bar hedge trimmer for keeping his trails from being overgrown?

All the best,

Peter

I can't recall (that's rare and I don't like it ).

 

[2manyrocks]

I tried searching and found hints of it, but no actual photos.

Another thread I found in the search suggested finding a used hydraulic pole saw to rebuild and use for mowing trails.

edit: While a hydraulic pole saw may be more heavy duty, I am thinking a regular hedge trimmer attachment for a battery powered pole saw is the easiest and least expensive option for knocking down some weeds in my situation.

 

[2manyrocks]

I guess it is correctly tensioned when the latch pin stays down and latched.

What is the reason that your levers work backwards to latch and unlatch?

This is normal:
View attachment 919744

Returning to this subject, the stops that I welded in place prevent the latch pin from going over center, and I had to cut them out.

I very much appreciate your keen eye and pointing this out to me before an attachment could fall off.

 

[Xfaxman]

You are welcome.

Some guys have added a stop block to prevent the pin from getting pushed up even though the linkage is over center:

 

[Gravy]

I think I could spend $100 on an SSQA plate and fabricate a mount for a cordless pole saw hedge trimmer with the material I have laying around. These cordless hedge trimmers have enough power to cut through a briar patch. The trouble is they are tiring to hand hold for any extended period because the weight of the cutting head and the length of the pole saw shaft create leverage against me. Should be relatively easy to take some tubing to fabricate a carrier to mount on a SSQA plate. It won't have the flexibility or cutting speed of the $3k cutter, but I think it could be enough to chop a few weeds off the creek bank.

I've been thinking lately about doing something similar for some steep banks. I already have the Ryobi 18 volt hedge trimmer. Just need to figure out a mount to use with a 2 inch square extension tube and my trailer hitch receiver plate.

 

[2manyrocks]

If it's a pole saw hedge trimmer, there are a variety of rubber clamps, Quick Fists, etc. on Amazon.

 

[PowerTracManiac]

Adapter plate complete.

 

[ponytug]

How is the top of the Q/A attached to the SSQA? I had to re-weld my first attempt due to a few cracks, so I added reinforcements. (Bad design/ bad welding)

Just out of concern for your Snuffleupagus...

All the best,

Peter

 

[SpringHollow]

I kept meaning to say that on mine, I kicked the bottom of the attachment plate out ~5 1/2 - 6" with a plate of steel and welded sides to it as well. It has worked well. I can tilt my bush hog down over the edge of a steep bank and reach down about 8' from the top. So far, it has worked well with a finish mower, bush hog, and grader.