Front end loader plans

[Eugen]

I've had a half baked plan to build a front end loader for some time now. Currently I have a working 446, that's my main tractor and I'd like to keep it as is, for snow, mowing, and garden duty. Therefore, I'd prefer not to put the FEL on the main tractor.

But on the back burner I have a 446 rolling chassis (slightly incomplete) with no engine, and a 224 complete with a Kohler k321 which I intend to rebuild. Will start a new thread over in the Engines section about the rebuild. So the loader will go on one of these two.

What I don't have:

• a CAD design/plan
• steel plate for the bucket
• hydraulic hoses
• hydraulic cylinders

What I do have:

• hydraulic control valve

Got this the other day, a Gresen Minneapolis 2703 three spool hydraulic control valve. It seems to be an open center valve, as I can blow air through inlet and goes out the outlet when all levers are in resting position. This valve can handle flow and pressure for a big tractor, as I have found mentions of this around the internet. Currently the inlet/outlet is 3/8 ID and the spools in/out are 1/4 ID.

Gresen Minneapolis 2703 3-spool open center hydraulic control valve

valve and cylinders that came with it, one is 20in long, the other 12in log

I was hoping to use the cylinders that came with the valve, but the red 20in long are not beefy enough I think, having 3/4 in rod.

hydraulic cylinder rod 3/4 in

This will be my thread for building the loader, will add stuff as it gets done.

Opinions and advice are welcome. :132:

[sdunt]

Probably some info here: https://loaderplans.com/

https://cadplans.com/collections/loaders

https://alquilercastilloshinchables.inf ... der-plans/

if you want the design math: https://drc.libraries.uc.edu/bitstream/ ... _Dehne.pdf

Main issue with loaders is weight - pressure on the front axle. The Case 646 axle is well designed to handle the load. Where as a 200 - 400 front axle is just not designed for that.

Somewhere someone turned a 155 or 200 tractor around and put the loader off the back of the tractor and rearranged the seat and steering so the load would be on the rear axle and tires..

But it really depends on what you plan to be able to pick up with it.

[Gordy]

I have had the https://www.loaderplans.com/ Site bookmarked for years They have some spindle upgrades listed. And the gallery is extensive, with some interesting mods. Will never forget the Ingersoll with the bucket chained to the trailer, and the tractor suspended in the air. :o Have to look at the othersite for the super axle Dave made for Franky. :38:

Cheers,
Gordy

[Eugen]

Probably some info here: https://loaderplans.com/

https://cadplans.com/collections/loaders

https://alquilercastilloshinchables.inf ... der-plans/

if you want the design math: https://drc.libraries.uc.edu/bitstream/ ... _Dehne.pdf

Main issue with loaders is weight - pressure on the front axle. The Case 646 axle is well designed to handle the load. Where as a 200 - 400 front axle is just not designed for that.

Somewhere someone turned a 155 or 200 tractor around and put the loader off the back of the tractor and rearranged the seat and steering so the load would be on the rear axle and tires..

But it really depends on what you plan to be able to pick up with it.

Thank you Scott! I am aware of the issues with the loader on the 200-400 series, did a lot of reading on this. I would prefer to get a 646, but up here they're very rare, and when they do show up, there a bidding war. I'll look at the plans you linked, and thank you, I appreciated your pointers. I'm not sure the master's thesis with the design math is something I can tackle though. :134:

As for loader at the back, I thought about it, but I don't know how the guys with a snowthrower at the back (hi Dave ) do it!

As for what to pick up with it, was hoping for the odd mulch bucket, compost, even some gravel, though that might be too heavy.

[Eugen]

I have had the https://www.loaderplans.com/ Site bookmarked for years They have some spindle upgrades listed. And the gallery is extensive, with some interesting mods. Will never forget the Ingersoll with the bucket chained to the trailer, and the tractor suspended in the air. :o Have to look at the othersite for the super axle Dave made for Franky. :38:

Cheers,
Gordy

I have read pretty much all the threads about loaders on the 400 series there. I've seen Frankie in person, Dave lives less than 1/2 hour away from me. Don't know if I got all the tools and know how to go super axle, but if I ever get there and can't do it maybe I'll shower Dave with $$ and he helps me. :77:

[Gordy]

Here are a couple examples of a reversed loader tractor. WC Allis Chalmers was another popular one to reverse. NOTE, the operators station is also reversed.

Farmall B, reversed

Farmall M reversed

Cheers,
Gordy

[Timj]

Eugen, I had ran across this last fall, I think you'll like it. I think it's one of the best loader builds I've seen.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... om%2F&_rdr

[Harry]

I have always like the loaders, I guess that is why I own two. It always seemed to me by the time I purchased all the equipment needed to make it happen, it would be better to buy one then build one. I'm sure you all have heard about frames not strong enough on the 400 series tractors to handle a loader. I would say it all depends on how much you load the bucket. My 646 does not have any frame damage but my 644lbh did. It must of seen a hard life. I did repair it but it took me three days crawling under it to make it happen. I did post the pics of it on the other site. If your not accustom to welding overhead with stick electrode, I would not recommend it!

I also always liked the loader control valve under the tower and the builds always have them outside which seem to me are always in the way. I know the 600 series do not come up for sale as often as the 400 series and a lot of times the owner is asking way to much. The first one I purchased was my 646 and I didn't know to much about them. I thought I paid to much for it but then finding out how much others wanted for theirs I think I did okay. My 644lbh I did more research on and paid more than my 646 but it has a hoe. Plus everything worked as it was suppose to and had a rebuilt K321 in it.

I have passed on a few in the last few years just because I thought the owner wanted to much and was not willing to negotiate. You might say if you have two why would you want another one. There is something about them that I just like and I like working on them. My 646 has been under construction the last few years and it is just about complete. I work on it awhile then take a break. Sometimes I feel I need to think through what I'm doing before I continue. I will post some pics when completed.

I just thought I would give my thoughts on loaders and thanks for listening.
Keep the Peace
Harry

[Jancoe]

There is someone out there that built an amazing removable fel on a 4000. It's somewhere on YouTube. I also found this one very interesting because the loader mast is incorporated into the dash tower. I like this one too. Looks like it's holding up good too.

https://youtu.be/_0pb1ujZNzk

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[Gordy]

There is someone out there that built an amazing removable fel on a 4000. It's somewhere on YouTube. I also found this one very interesting because the loader mast is incorporated into the dash tower. I like this one too. Looks like it's holding up good too.

https://youtu.be/_0pb1ujZNzk

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Thanks for posting that :41: That has to be the best rear loader mounts I have seen, keeping the footrests open and not having to squeeze into the operators position. :58:


Cheers,
Gordy