Scored a Bobcat power-tach cylinder

[High Compression]

OH yeah! A buddy had a Bobcat power-tach cylinder laying around, because his employees apparently ruin them so they just take them off before hand. Bonus for me!!! :thumbsup:
So you know what that means. Since it rained last night (finally) I'll spend the day working in the shop fitting the cylinder to the quick-tach of the L5740. I'm excited. I'll post some pix tonight or in the a.m.

 

[catdozer]

OH yeah! A buddy had a Bobcat power-tach cylinder laying around, because his employees apparently ruin them so they just take them off before hand. Bonus for me!!! :thumbsup:
So you know what that means. Since it rained last night (finally) I'll spend the day working in the shop fitting the cylinder to the quick-tach of the L5740. I'm excited. I'll post some pix tonight or in the a.m.

Nice, when every we get a new machine it must have the power bob-tach. But with the tractor I couldn't, the bobcat quick attach on the tractors can simply just bolt right up, but you need hydraulics, also you must have pressure on the bob-tach cylinder. Bobcat is tied into the curl/dump, so the bob-tach always has pressure to keep the levers down. since they may settle or lose the pressure to keep them Down so you don't drop or bend an attachment.

 

[High Compression]

Nice, when every we get a new machine it must have the power bob-tach. But with the tractor I couldn't, the bobcat quick attach on the tractors can simply just bolt right up, but you need hydraulics, also you must have pressure on the bob-tach cylinder. Bobcat is tied into the curl/dump, so the bob-tach always has pressure to keep the levers down. since they may settle or lose the pressure to keep them Down so you don't drop or bend an attachment.

Keep posted. It's now installed. I have pix and video coming. :thumbsup:

 

[High Compression]

Started with a free cylinder from a Bobcat T250.
View attachment 263560
Went to local Bobcat dealer and picked up the longer pin blocks to accept the cylinder. The two in the middle are stock, the outer two are from Bobcat. $17 ea.
View attachment 263561
I had a couple of 1/4" hydro hoses laying around the right length. Went to my local Carquest and had them crimp the correct ends on for the quick couplers and the cylinder ports. Approx. $20
View attachment 263562

View attachment 263563
Welded 9/16" stops on each end of the cylinder
View attachment 263564

View attachment 263565

Here's my trial run video that I posted on youtube.
http://youtu.be/leBZHTirQoQ

 

[4shorts]

It's a neat idea and very functional In some cases but would not work for me because of the Impliments I use that require hydraulic hoses to be hooked up.
For instance, it would be great to have this to drop my bucket but when I went over to pick up my power angle snow blade I'd still have to get out of the cab to hook up my hoses for the power angle so if I have to get out of the cab at all it defeats the purpose .
Now if you could develop a system that would hook up the implement hoses after the impliment hook up I'd be all for it :thumbsup:
If your going from your forks to your bucket it's great but if I were using my forks on a regular basis I'd go for a side shift for system.

 

[High Compression]

It's a neat idea and very functional In some cases but would not work for me because of the Impliments I use that require hydraulic hoses to be hooked up.
For instance, it would be great to have this to drop my bucket but when I went over to pick up my power angle snow blade I'd still have to get out of the cab to hook up my hoses for the power angle so if I have to get out of the cab at all it defeats the purpose .
Now if you could develop a system that would hook up the implement hoses after the impliment hook up I'd be all for it :thumbsup:
If your going from your forks to your bucket it's great but if I were using my forks on a regular basis I'd go for a side shift for system.

I agree, but so far the only attachment I have that uses the 3rd function is my snow plow. Where it is going to work for me is for instance the job I did the other day. I was clearing about 800'-900' of fence line. I would use the ratchet rake and push out a large pile of small trees/saplings. Then I would have to put on the forks to get the pile moved out of my way down to the burn pile. Then I would put the bucket back on with the ratchet rake. I would have just made several piles, but I had limited work space. I had to stay out of either the farm field or the hay field. So I changed back and forth probably 15-20 times a day.

 

[4shorts]

I agree, but so far the only attachment I have that uses the 3rd function is my snow plow. Where it is going to work for me is for instance the job I did the other day. I was clearing about 800'-900' of fence line. I would use the ratchet rake and push out a large pile of small trees/saplings. Then I would have to put on the forks to get the pile moved out of my way down to the burn pile. Then I would put the bucket back on with the ratchet rake. I would have just made several piles, but I had limited work space. I had to stay out of either the farm field or the hay field. So I changed back and forth probably 15-20 times a day.

Well in your case it's probably going to be the best addition to your tractor. I will admit I do have some choice words to say when i got to get out in the cold to hook up my bucket, snow blade or forks. Don't even know why I bought forks when all i use is the forklift :laughing:
All things considered you did a nice tidy job so far. I'd put a red light on the switch once you get it hooked up or even a momentary switch just for safety sake. Nice job! :thumbsup:

 

[3238dpw]

It's a neat idea and very functional In some cases but would not work for me because of the Impliments I use that require hydraulic hoses to be hooked up.
For instance, it would be great to have this to drop my bucket but when I went over to pick up my power angle snow blade I'd still have to get out of the cab to hook up my hoses for the power angle so if I have to get out of the cab at all it defeats the purpose .
Now if you could develop a system that would hook up the implement hoses after the impliment hook up I'd be all for it :thumbsup:
If your going from your forks to your bucket it's great but if I were using my forks on a regular basis I'd go for a side shift for system.

That system is has been developed
HLA Attachments -

 

[Dishpointer]

Great job! I might have to have you help me do one some day.

 

[4shorts]

That system is has been developed
HLA Attachments -

Thanks for that. Now that got me really really interested. I'm going to look into that system. Much appreciated :thumbsup:

 

[jake98]

Yeah, X2! That's a cool setup!

 

[SSdoxie]

Here is my version of the Power Bobtach I did last weekend. It was easier mounting the cylinder since my tractor is a Bobcat and the QA has same levers as the skit loaders, ready to accept the cylinder. I too got a cylinder donated jsut to get it out of the way on the shop floor.
I also run a grapple on ocassion so bought a selector valve from Northern Tool @ $100 and installed in on the loader to my 3rd function. Without the grapple I leave the button of selector valve pulled out and use the Bobtach cylinder, when using the grapple I lock it on with the cylinder then push the button in, hook up the hoses to grapple and off and running.

 

[mjncad]

Slick stuff!

 

[High Compression]

Here is my version of the Power Bobtach I did last weekend. It was easier mounting the cylinder since my tractor is a Bobcat and the QA has same levers as the skit loaders, ready to accept the cylinder. I too got a cylinder donated jsut to get it out of the way on the shop floor.
I also run a grapple on ocassion so bought a selector valve from Northern Tool @ $100 and installed in on the loader to my 3rd function. Without the grapple I leave the button of selector valve pulled out and use the Bobtach cylinder, when using the grapple I lock it on with the cylinder then push the button in, hook up the hoses to grapple and off and running.

Right on! :thumbsup:
I found a solenoid valve online for $150 so I can operate it from the cab.

 

[High Compression]

That system is has been developed
HLA Attachments -

Too cool!!! It's about time. Although, the bucket latching didn't look like ours. Hmmmm. Wonder if it would still work.

 

[SSdoxie]

That system is has been developed
HLA Attachments -

That concept has been researched by a couple skid loader manufactures but was tabled after endurance/reliabilty testing for 2 reasons.
1. It takes away from the universal fit concept of the universal QA and flat faced couplers the industry adapted.
2. (most important) The dirt that tends to collect on the machine portion of the coupler when not connected to a hydraulic attachment ended up causing leaks at the connection plus inducing contamination into the hydraulics.

 

[High Compression]

That concept has been researched by a couple skid loader manufactures but was tabled after endurance/reliabilty testing for 2 reasons.
1. It takes away from the universal fit concept of the universal QA and flat faced couplers the industry adapted.
2. (most important) The dirt that tends to collect on the machine portion of the coupler when not connected to a hydraulic attachment ended up causing leaks at the connection plus inducing contamination into the hydraulics.

Hmmmmm... Very interesting. D#mn it. Got my hopes up.

 

[oldtoyboyd]

You guys make a guy look forward to work after doing all these modifications. I need to get busy and do more things to my tractor now.

 

[oldtoyboyd]

What about doing this with a linear actuator so as to leave the third function set working.

 

[High Compression]

What about doing this with a linear actuator so as to leave the third function set working.

Totally do-able. John Deere's skid loaders have linear actuators. I have also seen a post of another person converting an older Bobcat skidloader, with one. I considered it myself, but got the cylinder for free, so why not. I like the idea of the linear actuator, but I have had bad experiences with gears stripping out of them. Maybe depends on the quality. Anyway, I would try it. I am going to put a electronic solenoid diverter valve up front so I can switch between the 3rd function and quick attach.