Sunstar Front End Loader

[wwmw]

Anyone know what I would need size of hydraulic cylinders, pumps, etc... to build a 36" FEL for my Simplicity Sunstar GTH 20? would it be able to handle that big loader what or how much counter-weight on rear would I need? Any help would be great appreciated. It already has the F&R PTO. Has anyone ever built one on a Sunstar?

Thanks!
William

 

[workinprogress]

Check out PF Engineering. I have a set of plans and want to build one for my Cub Cadet 782. Progess has been slow as I collect all the parts for a build. The plans also come with instructions to build a counter weights and brackets. Also check out the front spindle upgrade pages on their web site.

Loader Plans, CAD Plans, Build a Loader, Front End Loader

I think as long as you have a good frame (1/8 material or thicker) and the tractor rear end is design for ground engaging equipment (ususally larger tires that have multiple lug nuts) you could put one of these loaders onto it. While I don't know all the specifics of your tractor I did a quick search online and it appears your tractor runs a Sunstrand 15 transmission (same one I am running on my cub cadet).

I am currently running a home made version of a Johnny Bucket Johnny Buckets For John Deere Sears Craftsman Cub Cadet Case Simplicity and Many More
on one of my cub cadets (42 inches wide) and it works OK but does have limitations (lift height). Mine is running of the onboard hydraulics on the tractor. I have moved multiple loads (full dump truck) of driveway mix and have even dug into a sloping bank to create a flat pool area.

So yes I am pretty sure your tractor will handle a loader and to be honest you will be surprised how much these little tractors can do. The width of the bucket should be a few inches wider than the rear tires.

Let me know if you want any photos of my home made johnny bucket.

Good Luck,

 

[wwmw]

Ok! I thought it could, my tractor is a Simplicity Sunstar GTH 20 it has the F&R PTO, Pos Traction Rearend, Hydrostactic Tranny, 20hp Koler Magnum engine, power steering, and hugmongus cast iron axle and spindles. Yes, I would love to see what you have done on the johnny bucket if you can email me the pictures that would be great. I also have a Cub Cadet 1515 with a 15HP and a 50" Cub Cadet Zero-Turn. I also wouldn't mind having the JB on the 1515 cub do you still have the plans of the johnny bucket I might be able to get from you. rough drawing are fine also.

Thanks!
William

 

[BHD]

this is not a bucket but I made a blade for my old JD 110 tractor one time,

it had a blade on it that was spring loaded so if you caught some thing stationary it would flip over, some what like snow plow blade,

and made the frame so it went under the tractor and would pin up to the hitch, the mower lift (hand) would raise and lower it, and made two guides on each side of the front of the tractor, to keep it straight,

It was amazing what that little tractor could move, but the old JD 110 is nearly in tractor heaven now, but the blade is still setting up by the fence begging to be used again,

 

[swick1]

If you need parts I have a filter, pump, and breather I would sell you cheap since I no longer need them. I just bought a bigger tractor instead.

I also have a set of plans.

 

[wwmw]

Hello; swick1, I might be interested in the plans you have what size bucket is the plans 48" etc.. what do you want for the set of plans? what size is the pump?

Thanks!
William

 

[swick1]

I'll send you a private message and we can work out the details.

 

[wwmw]

Ok! thanks!

William

 

[wwmw]

this is not a bucket but I made a blade for my old JD 110 tractor one time,

it had a blade on it that was spring loaded so if you caught some thing stationary it would flip over, some what like snow plow blade,

and made the frame so it went under the tractor and would pin up to the hitch, the mower lift (hand) would raise and lower it, and made two guides on each side of the front of the tractor, to keep it straight,

It was amazing what that little tractor could move, but the old JD 110 is nearly in tractor heaven now, but the blade is still setting up by the fence begging to be used again,

Hi; BFD, and thanks, but I also have one of those 48" spring-loaded blades I bought it for my cub cadet 1515 when I needed to move some gravel, didn't work so good for me. thanks! anyway though.

William

 

[workinprogress]

Here you are. The bucket is basically 42 inches wide and it is set up to use the hydraulic valves already on the tractor. The Cub cadet 1512 has both a front hydraulic port and a hydraulic to lift for mower deck. I tied into these lines which gives me the lift and dump on the bucket. Will lift close to 200 lbs and has power down (will lift front wheels). The set up uses a mule drive from a mower to create an front attachment point. There were no additional holes drilled into the tractor. Will try to get few better pictures of the mount.

 

[wwmw]

Here you are. The bucket is basically 42 inches wide and it is set up to use the hydraulic valves already on the tractor. The Cub cadet 1512 has both a front hydraulic port and a hydraulic to lift for mower deck. I tied into these lines which gives me the lift and dump on the bucket. Will lift close to 200 lbs and has power down (will lift front wheels). The set up uses a mule drive from a mower to create an front attachment point. There were no additional holes drilled into the tractor. Will try to get few better pictures of the mount.

Thank you very much for the pictures, how far will it lift off the ground? more pictures would be great! Did you have to add a pump and filter also? and how much did all this cost you? And what is a MULE DRIVE I've never heard of one. Do you have a picture of that?

Thanks!
William

 

[ssrfenton]

Here you are. The bucket is basically 42 inches wide and it is set up to use the hydraulic valves already on the tractor. The Cub cadet 1512 has both a front hydraulic port and a hydraulic to lift for mower deck. I tied into these lines which gives me the lift and dump on the bucket. Will lift close to 200 lbs and has power down (will lift front wheels). The set up uses a mule drive from a mower to create an front attachment point. There were no additional holes drilled into the tractor. Will try to get few better pictures of the mount.

That looks like a great setup. If an external Hydraulic pump was used, say attached to the mower PTO, would it lift more?

 

[workinprogress]

The hydraulics is right off the transmission from the tractor (factory) so I do not have a second pump. The buckets lifts 10-14 inchs off the ground depending on where I have the cylinder bolted. The mule drive is the bracket that cub cadet uses to attach mower decks to the tractor. I am thinking I have something around $350 to 400 invested in the set up. Remember I already had the hydraulics and hydraulics valves on the tractor. Close to $80 of that amount was spent to have a metal shop bend and cut all the parts for the bucket itself. Well worth the price to have nice bends and perfect shapes.


White bracket on the tractor is the mule drive.


Mounting bracket off the tractor.


Lower point where bucket is attached.

 

[wwmw]

Thank you so very much wiprogress for the info and pictures. Do you have a picture with the loader on the tractor side view I mean? Have you used the loader yet? it looks just like the johnny bucket jr. What about the lifting bars I guess you'd call them, its the arms did you have those cut and welded at the metal shop also or how did you build that part?

Thanks!
William

 

[swick1]

You should be able to get this built for less than $2k if you buy the material and have a vocational school class build it.