Front-End Loader Skid steer quick attach adapter

[Alpha Dog]

Anyone got any advice (or horror stories) about converting an older LA463 loader (on an L2800) to a SSQA instead of "pin-on"? I've got one, with a 3rd function and a welded on "grapple" on the bucket, but would like to have the option to use a "real" brush grapple. Right now, clearing 20 acres, adding another 14 to the mix on Thursday, and I'd like to be able to use a grapple more effectively than I can't with a bucket I can't "see through". I've priced the "adapters" at around $850, and looked at one that's $525, (plus about $325 shipping, and even my math skills come out to $850 there too). I can pick up the grapple I want about 90 miles away for $1500, but they're all "SSQA" attachment, and if I'm going to do any "conversion" I'd rather add flexibility too, but spending over 1/2 the price of the grapple for the "mount" seems kind of unreasonable. I thought about fabbing an adapter myself, but I just don't have the time.
Any input or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[EverythingAttachments]

We offer a quick attach adapter custom made for your loader. You're right, they are expensive but it definitely makes changing out and finding attachments a lot easier. Check them out here on our website. Shipping is free within 1,000 miles of Newton, NC. I hope this helps.

 

[Ductape]

Spend the money. Converting my loader over to a skidsteer style quick attach was the best single thing I have done to my tractor.

 

[94BULLITT]

Have you checked with the dealer? You can buy the conversion on ebay.

 

[k0ua]

Here is my horror story... It ended well, and now that I know how to do it, I would not hesitate. best money I ever spent. It is an La463 conversion I still use the converted bucket sometimes on my new Kioti. I kept it after I traded in my Kubota L3400. My adaptor was only $400 from the Kubota dealer.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/208653-so-you-think-converting-pin.html

James K0UA

 

[wedge40]

AD you will find almost everyone will tell you to spend the money, INCLUDING ME. Like others have said it has been some of the best money I spent on the tractor today, right behind getting the grapple. The simple fact that I can drop the bucket or grapple in a matter seconds makes it well worth it. When I was clearing land I would move from grapple to bucket and back with the same day cause it was so easy.

Wedge

 

[HCJtractor]

I bought the Tach-All Quick Attach for my Kubota with a LA1002 loader. I use it primarily for the grapple connection. I have found this adapter to be disappointing, as the latch system is not well designed. The 1" pin slides up and down inside a short piece of pipe welded on the main frame. This little pipe section has a grease fitting (which popped out the first day of use) and the pipe is easily distorted when the pin is torqued during regular use. This results in binding of the pin that should slide freely to connect and disconnect. Therefore the pin has to be banged out with a hammer and a punch rather than simply using the lever. It is a pain to use. Luckily, I don't change implements much. The little welded pipe needs to be replaced with a more substantial part that resists deformation so the pin will slide freely with the lever as designed.

I just had my grapple come off one side resulting in bending the main frame of the Quick Attach adapter, so I am going to have to cut out the bent angle iron, reweld a stouter piece, and will take this opportunity to redesign and replace the latch mechanism.

I will say that the grapple is used heavily, but the adapter should be designed to hold up.

I would look at other brands, such as WR Long at Everything Attachments, but not having seen theirs, I am not sure if it is designed any better.

 

[Rockgod]

I bought the Tach-All Quick Attach for my Kubota with a LA1002 loader. I use it primarily for the grapple connection. I have found this adapter to be disappointing, as the latch system is not well designed. The 1" pin slides up and down inside a short piece of pipe welded on the main frame. This little pipe section has a grease fitting (which popped out the first day of use) and the pipe is easily distorted when the pin is torqued during regular use. This results in binding of the pin that should slide freely to connect and disconnect. Therefore the pin has to be banged out with a hammer and a punch rather than simply using the lever. It is a pain to use. Luckily, I don't change implements much. The little welded pipe needs to be replaced with a more substantial part that resists deformation so the pin will slide freely with the lever as designed.

I just had my grapple come off one side resulting in bending the main frame of the Quick Attach adapter, so I am going to have to cut out the bent angle iron, reweld a stouter piece, and will take this opportunity to redesign and replace the latch mechanism.

I will say that the grapple is used heavily, but the adapter should be designed to hold up.

I would look at other brands, such as WR Long at Everything Attachments, but not having seen theirs, I am not sure if it is designed any better.

Sorry you've had problems but i've had just the opposite experience with my ATI adapter. Well built and very solid. The welds are nothing short of perfect.

This thing has been through the ringer with hours upon hours of use/abuse and it's still going strong. I'd buy one again in a heartbeat.

 

[Alpha Dog]

Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place, the e-Bay prices I find are about $850, (or the "universal" one with sliding brackets for $525 + $325 shipping), and of course the advertiser above shows them for $839 (and with free shipping since my house is 959.05 miles from Newton S.C. in a straight line, and $11 is $11, so...), but I'm still hoping not to make the mistake I've made before in spending a lot of money on something and then finding out what I bought was available for about 1/2 the price. I keep hearing people buying these in the $400 range "a couple of years ago" but I haven't seen any sign that other things have more than doubled in price in "a couple of years." (Maybe these things have, but I will feel better if I ask everyone first.)
Thanks for the input so far, keep those cards and letters (or bulletin board posts) coming!

 

[k0ua]

Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place, the e-Bay prices I find are about $850, (or the "universal" one with sliding brackets for $525 + $325 shipping), and of course the advertiser above shows them for $839 (and with free shipping since my house is 959.05 miles from Newton S.C. in a straight line, and $11 is $11, so...), but I'm still hoping not to make the mistake I've made before in spending a lot of money on something and then finding out what I bought was available for about 1/2 the price. I keep hearing people buying these in the $400 range "a couple of years ago" but I haven't seen any sign that other things have more than doubled in price in "a couple of years." (Maybe these things have, but I will feel better if I ask everyone first.)
Thanks for the input so far, keep those cards and letters (or bulletin board posts) coming!

The $400 was for the genuine Kubota part in the summer of 2011.

James K0UA

 

[94BULLITT]

I would check with the dealer first, you may surprised.
Here is are some on ebay. I would have posted the links last night but I was using my phone and it is hard.
SKID STEER LOADER QUICK ATTACH BOBTACH ADAPTER ASSEMBLY Bobcat, New Holland | eBay
Bobcat Skid Steer Quick Attach ( BobTach ) - Will Ship for $99 | eBay
Here is my search I used on ebay. You may find more.
skid steer quick attach | eBay

 

[JoeBuyer]

Sorry you've had problems but i've had just the opposite experience with my ATI adaptor. Well built and very solid. The welds are nothing short of perfect.

This thing has been through the ringer with hours upon hours of use/abuse and it's still going strong. I'd buy one again in a heartbeat.

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=282169"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=282170"/>

I would guess that I have the ATI adapter that HCJtractor has if I am reading the product list below correctly, however I have a slightly higher capacity Kubota FEL with approx 2500 lbs of lift.

http://www.preseeder.com/PDF/AttachProductList2010.pdf

If you look at the adapters starting on page 14, you will see that ATI has a heavy duty model and a standard duty model. I also notice that the JD models which yours is one of, to a large extent are heavier in weight than the Kubota models. The QA-KU5 model at 88 lbs which I believe HCJtractor has is standard duty and is the one I have. Like you, I have been very pleased with mine but I am careful to use it to mostly lift and push. I have never thought the SSQA style lends itself to pulling backwards, twisting motions or to attachments that do not fit snugly against the lower pins. I have stalled out my ~2500lb lift numerous times and had it hold up the front "half" of a nearly 10,000lb machine with the FEL stabilizing the front of the tractor and repositioning the backhoe end with the bucket without a problem. I try to keep my loads square, particularly since I know mine is the standard duty model. I agree that the adapter breathes new life into older tractors and that SSQA is the way to go due to the numerous attachments available and the relative ease of connecting/disconnecting them.

 

[JoeBuyer]

Anyone got any advice (or horror stories) about converting an older LA463 loader (on an L2800) to a SSQA instead of "pin-on"? I've got one, with a 3rd function and a welded on "grapple" on the bucket, but would like to have the option to use a "real" brush grapple. Right now, clearing 20 acres, adding another 14 to the mix on Thursday, and I'd like to be able to use a grapple more effectively than I can't with a bucket I can't "see through". I've priced the "adapters" at around $850, and looked at one that's $525, (plus about $325 shipping, and even my math skills come out to $850 there too). I can pick up the grapple I want about 90 miles away for $1500, but they're all "SSQA" attachment, and if I'm going to do any "conversion" I'd rather add flexibility too, but spending over 1/2 the price of the grapple for the "mount" seems kind of unreasonable. I thought about fabbing an adapter myself, but I just don't have the time.
Any input or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

I bought my ATI adapter from everything attachments. Free shipping and friendly people. Switched out the pin on bucket to the adapter in about an hour. Then modified the bucket with a plate to hook back up to the SSQA so I could still use it.

 

[JRP]

I would guess that I have the ATI adapter that HCJtractor has if I am reading the product list below correctly, however I have a slightly higher capacity Kubota FEL with approx 2500 lbs of lift.

http://www.preseeder.com/PDF/AttachProductList2010.pdf

If you look at the adapters starting on page 14, you will see that ATI has a heavy duty model and a standard duty model. I also notice that the JD models which yours is one of, to a large extent are heavier in weight than the Kubota models. The QA-KU5 model at 88 lbs which I believe HCJtractor has is standard duty and is the one I have. Like you, I have been very pleased with mine but I am careful to use it to mostly lift and push. I have never thought the SSQA style lends itself to pulling backwards, twisting motions or to attachments that do not fit snugly against the lower pins. I have stalled out my ~2500lb lift numerous times and had it hold up the front "half" of a nearly 10,000lb machine with the FEL stabilizing the front of the tractor and repositioning the backhoe end with the bucket without a problem. I try to keep my loads square, particularly since I know mine is the standard duty model. I agree that the adapter breathes new life into older tractors and that SSQA is the way to go due to the numerous attachments available and the relative easy of connecting/disconnecting them.

Not sure how to reply without a quote. My quick attach came with my LA1162 loader.

 

[JRP]

The rest. :

It is easy and cheap to adapt to. I made several attachments for mine. forks and a boom pole. Now I also acquired a nice Bobcat T190 track loader so my attachments fit the Bobcat, and the stuff that came with the bobcat also fit my tractor.

Spend the money, Ann buy kubota if you can. You won't regret quality.

 

[HCJtractor]

Sorry you've had problems but i've had just the opposite experience with my ATI adaptor. Well built and very solid. The welds are nothing short of perfect.

This thing has been through the ringer with hours upon hours of use/abuse and it's still going strong. I'd buy one again in a heartbeat.

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=282169"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=282170"/>

Rockgod, I agree the welds are fine. My only issue was with the latches. I also think the latch mechanism needs to be shielded on the front side, with grapple use. In your picture, the spring and lift rod are totally exposed from the front so a log or branch in the grapple can easily damage this relatively fragile system. Now if used on a bucket, it would not matter. I'll admit I use mine aggressively and can see how pulling backwards could stress the pin, but if the sleeve the pin rides in was a block of steel rather than a piece of pipe, it would not deform and split like mine has. All I know is after a few hours of use, my pin was bound in the sleeve and had to be hammered out, and I spent an hour filling the inside of the sleeve. I wish I had a reamer that size.. Welding some expanded metal in the back of the grapple would also protect it from damage.

 

[Alpha Dog]

Wow, k0ua, did you get that from a local dealer where you are? One of the dealers that do a lot of advertising on tractor forum sites that I checked with a couple of months ago, said that he would sell me the "parts to build one" from Kubota for a little over $1100, and that I'd be better off to buy an after-market one (he suggested another source, since he didn't sell aftermarket parts and was not trying to work a deal). I will check with a dealer around here, and see what they say.

 

[k0ua]

Wow, k0ua, did you get that from a local dealer where you are? One of the dealers that do a lot of advertising on tractor forum sites that I checked with a couple of months ago, said that he would sell me the "parts to build one" from Kubota for a little over $1100, and that I'd be better off to buy an after-market one (he suggested another source, since he didn't sell aftermarket parts and was not trying to work a deal). I will check with a dealer around here, and see what they say.

It was from the Kubota dealer in Berryville, Ar.

He brought it out and helped me put it on.. took about 5 minutes.

James K0UA

 

[Alpha Dog]

Hey, that's only 1200 miles round trip for me, or $300 of that $4 a gallon gas, that'd still be cheaper than what I've been quoted so far!
I've driven 1100 miles in one stretch a couple of times in the last year, might be worth a road trip!

 

[Piston]

How often do you change FEL attachments? I would like a skidsteer QA mount so I could change back an forth between the grapple, bucket, and forks, however, I find that 99% of the time the grapple does everything I need better than the other two. I figured it wasn't worth the extra money to change all the brackets out.