Universal Quick Attach

[marrt]

When I get a larger PT, I would like to explore the option of adding a Skid Steer Universal Quick Attach system to the tractor. Advantages include the ability to choose from a much wider variety of attachments and manufactures, a ready market for used attachments to buy or sell, and the ability to rent attachments (although I’m not thrilled about mixing hydraulic fluids…I wonder if I could add a filter to the attachment return line?).

Anyone tried this? I have looked for a Quick Attach system that could be retrofitted to the PT and haven’t found one. Any ideas?

 

[Bob999]

<font color="red"> (although I’m not thrilled about mixing hydraulic fluids…I wonder if I could add a filter to the attachment return line?). </font>
My experience has been that I have been unable to rent hydraulically powered attachments separately because of fluid incompatibilities. Rental firms in my area simply require the rental of a machine as well to get the hydraulic attachment.

 

[bryce]

I would drain the rental attachment as much as I could first. Most dont hold much fluid anyway. I sure agree to filter the fluid first, if you cant get rid of it. I also like a water filter on any fluid that is critical. I hate breakdowns!

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Marrt:
There are posts for quick attach kits to go on other FELs, and a 1445 owner converted his, and should be able to tell you what's involved.
PT1445

Might be a good project for that older model 1845 that will be back on e-bay. Not far from you. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[marrt]

Take a look at the plate in this link. According to the text, this plate will:

- "Modernize older skid steers to utilize todays work saving equipment" and
- "Just one plate transforms older skid steers into multi-functional machines that adapt to any Quick Attach™ attachment".

However, it looks to me like this plate is for the attachments...not the skid steer itself. What am i missing?

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Marrt:
I don't have any experience with skid steers. I can't tell from the website if that's an adapter or an implement plate. You may want to ping on Mark1445 to needle him about not yet posting the photos. If he doesn't chime in, you might send a PM to Gatorboy (Dave Hoffman). He bought a Bobcat not too long ago. Also, as I recall, Mark Chalkley has the universal quick attach on his Earth Force, so he also be able to describe the configuration, hydraulic hookups, etc.
.

 

[Edward_DiMaria]

Mart - I think Richard has a converter plate - maybe he will post a photo

 

[Bob999]

<font color="red"> However, it looks to me like this plate is for the attachments... </font>

You are correct--this plate is for the attachment.

The link below is for the the tractor:

Try this link

 

[marrt]

I believe I have finally found an adaptor that will work. Take a look at “Cat. I or II 3-Point Hitch to Universal Skid-Steer Mount“ in this link (scroll down to bottom of page). I think this adaptor can be modified to covert a PT to use skid steer attachments.

 

[Bob999]

<font color="red"> believe I have finally found an adaptor that will work. Take a look at “Cat. I or II 3-Point Hitch to Universal Skid-Steer Mount“ </font>

It appears to me that the locking wedges and the fabricated plate could be used, and then weld a PT plate on the back instead of the 3 pt hitch connections that are pictured.

But that would definitely be a custom job and might be quite heavy--particularly in light of the fact you still have to add the weight of the skid steer attachment.

 

[bubenberg]

if you need any help ... i am testing some prototype machine for one of the partners of that company and am going there tomorrow .... Wednesday ... to pick up the prototype which needed some adjustments. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[EquipJunkie]

Marrt

I have and use exactly what you have in mind. (as Ed indicated) I'll take some pictures and get them posted, but it won't be until I get to the office on Monday. I welded a pt reciever plat to an ATI "tach all" universal skid steer plate: http://www.preseeder.com/

Good luck
Richard

 

[marrt]

Richard, thanks. Pics would definitely be helpful. The adapter I noted above costs about $675 shipped to a business address. That's not too bad I guess. However, I do wonder if the additional attachment flexability will be worth the investment. My guess is "yes", but only if one intends to buy (collect) a number of attachments. That said, if one wants forks or a PHD, the recovery may be sooner as the PT forks and PHD are a little expensive (although most of their other attachments seem to be reasonable priced).

 

[Mark1445]

Marrt. Here is is the diagram I drew when I designed my Universal attachment plate. I had to run back and forth to my local Bobcat dealership a couple of times to get the measurments off other skidsteers just right.

I removed my Power-Track plate and took it to my local welder with my measurements. For 150 bucks he cut, beveled the top edge 45 deg, and welded 5/8" thick steel to it that makes a perfect fit for any attachment. I also had him add 1 inch in length to the Power-Trac quick attach pins so they would drop down further into misc. attachments.

The best thing about converting your Power-Trac plate is that you get to keep the quick attach design from Power-Track (very important to me). The only drawback is you have to cut new holes for the locking pins to drop down into in each of the new implements you buy. No problem if you have a plasma cutter or are good with a simple cutting torch. Also on a couple of attachments I have had to weld on extra metal plate for the locking pins to go into.

My next addition will be to move the locking pins out further to the sides where all attachments have the holes allready. It should be fairly simple to replace the existing quick attach ram with a longer ram and drill and tap new holes for the locking pins at the correct width.

I'll still try to get some pictures of all this soon, I have been soo busy I only have had time to read others postings and saw you were about to spend around $700. and give up your Quick Attach feature on your Power Trac. To me the speed at changing attachments is worth more than double that.

 

[MChalkley]

The adapter I use to attach 3-point implements to my EarthForce EF-500 is Kasco's Switch Hitch. (It's at the bottom of the page.) It's plenty heavy duty, fairly priced (I don't recall exactly what I paid for it), and also has a 2" receiver tube to allow a standard trailer hitch for moving trailers, etc.

 

[Bird]

Hello, Stranger; glad to see you back. Your link didn't work for me, so I edited it to take out the extra "http://".

 

[Thomas]

Could it be /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif..long time Mark,hope all is well and you'll shall{update}share some pics of your "Beast Master"

37.2..Clear sky. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Harv]

Well I'll be darned! Look who came home for the holidays! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

You gotta lotta catchin' up to do, fella. Feel free to regale us with whatcha been up to.

 

[JerryG]

Welcome back Mark. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[J_J]

Like what you did to your Quich-Attach plate. I have an older 1445 that I would like to adapt just like yours. Would you be willing to layout the measurements for the quick attach plate plus the addition to fit the skidsteer attachments. Thanks

J.J.