Toolbox on the L3400/LA463

KubotaTerry · Sep 6, 2006

I have been searching in vain for a place to carry tools on my L3400HST w/ LA463 FEL. This weekend, I found the answer. The tubes that are part of the FEL mounts are 4 inches inside diameter and about 16" long. I found at the local Home Depot, a couple of "Test Plugs" in the plumbing section. These are rubber expansion plugs made for 4" pipe. I found two types. One that is made of two galvenized metal plates with the rubber plug in between, at the other is made of plastic. A wing nut compresses the end plates and expands the rubber donut so that it seals a 4" pipe. The metal type is thin enough to fit in the narrow space between the FEL mount and the tractor. I had to disassemble the plug and put together in place, with the wing nut reversed so it is inside the tube. If you have muscular arms, you may need to get someone with skinny arms to help you out with this. Sadly, I needed no help. The larger plastic plugs have a nice large wing nut that is easy to snug down or remove. I used the plastic type on the outside. A little grease on the faces of the expansion plugs makes them much easier to install. Put the grease on the face of the plug that gets squeezed between the two end plates, not on the outer diameter.

For a few bucks and almost no work at all, I now have two nice little water-tight "tool boxes". I put the tools in a canvas tool pouch to keep them from rattling around and chewing up the paint insde the tubes. Just a turn of a wing nut, and there they are.

I can't be the first one to come up with this, but I didn't find it with the search engine, so I apologze if it has already been discussed.
Terry

N80 · Sep 6, 2006

Got pics?

KubotaTerry · Sep 6, 2006

Here is a picture I found of the metal version that I used on the inside end of the pipe. It is just a rubber donut sandwiched between two end caps. One end cap is bigger than 4" in diameter, so it fits on the outside of the pipe. The other end cap is slightly smaller and goes in the pipe. When you tighten the wing nut, the donut expands and makes a very water-tight seal.

On the right side of the tractor, the gap between the pipe and the tractor was so narrow that I had to disassemble the test plug and put it together in place. I held the larger diameter end plate in place and slid the rubber donut and other end cap in through the pipe. I assembled it with the wing nut inside the pipe and tightened it by reaching into the pipe. This is where the small arm muscles come in handy for once.

Then I used the plastic version of the test plug as a removable end cap on the outside end of the pipe. The plastic version has a larger wing nut and is easier to install and remove, and just looks better.

The "tool box" can hold a pretty good sized tool pouch. One on each side of the tractor.

nharrold · Sep 25, 2006

Here's what I ended up with: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...estions-7800-tool-choke.html?highlight=basket

woodchuckie · Sep 25, 2006

I've heard of using the fel tubes before but not that system for sealing the ends. Looks like it will be easy enough for me to give it a try. Thanks.

ctpres · Sep 26, 2006

Tubes also good for storing a spare drink. Rubber insulated drink holder with drink is a snug fit in tube. Now I can store drinks and tools in loader tubes. Thanks for the great idea.

Marcussen · Sep 26, 2006

I had been thinking of a way to use the tubes for something, great solution. Iwill make a trip to the store for some plugs, (Kubota should have thought toolbox not cupholder when they designed the tracor)