Front end loader, on the fast hitch?

[DickB]

I'd like to have a quick on/ quick off bucket loader with pitchfork tines. My only task is to lift up and dump a windrow of meadow cuttings, to promote oxygenation in composting, by flipping the grasses. My little windrows are small, perhaps 3' high when they start out (and they shrink over time), and about 3 to 4' wide x however long. While it would be nice of me to take an honest to god pitchfork and lift up a section, flip it over, and restack the windrow, I seem to shirk this...avoiding the toil, the hours of it, I think.

I bought a used front end loader many years ago, and the seller swore on a truckload of bibles that it was for a Cub...but I doubt it. Never attempted to hook it up. Several things kept me from it: a) how to get it on/off (thought about cables going up to the barn rafters for lifting it off); b) reworking of the original hydraulics didn't appeal to my sense of Cub preservation; and c) lugging about/bogging down on an overburdened Cub -- the very thoughts had me fighting the idea. Someone said that the wrong front end loader on the Cub spells a cracked engine block -- that was a real stopper. So, whether the loader is right or wrong, I'm wondering about reconfiguring, re-doing the bucket loader for...the fast hitch. Nutz? More'n'likely but....

Recently I started on a rear carrier, with a fast-hitch connector from Tim in NY state (Thanks! TIm--it was a perfect fit on the tractor, and nice to meet you), and it looks like it's going to be an achievable implement that'll help out around here. But...I wonder...how about fast hitch pitchfork/trip bucket for a fast hitch? Anyone ever gone on that route? The idea would be to get the speared mowed field grasses (pile about 3' high) speared, lifted up enough to move forward or back a bit and dump. I'm not at all sure this is doable. Maybe 4'- 5' elevation? I know that the fast hitch plow and harrows are long enough to get up there; and I know that the field grasses are light, but how long an extension of the fast hitch would be needed and would it work? Who knows?

So, you can undoubtedly figure out that I'm fishing here. How about a nibble?

[ScottyD'sdad]

looking over your shoulder, all day, would be more tedious than the pitchfork!
Ed

[WaMoo]

I've seen "manure forks" and the back of other tractors. Used for cleaning out loafing barns. Basically just a giant pitch fork on the back of the tractor that can be raised and lowered. Something like that can be rigged up with a fast-hitch, maybe?

[Jim Becker]

If it is in a windrow, how about getting an old side delivery hay rake to roll it over? It will only work to a certain point in the composting cycle.

[Kirk-NJ]

Here's a set of forks I had on one of my loboys. You would have to make some sort of trip lever. The problem is with the FH you might not get it high enough to dump and if the forks are set higher they might not go all the way down to the gound.
Kirk

[gitractorman]

I would be more interested in figuring out the front end loader. You would be amazed at how handy they are to have around, and you have an actual, continuous use for it.

Get us some info on the loader. I'll bet it's a Henderson or a Wagner. They look like a pile of pipes, but once they're figured out and mounted, they are a pretty handy attachment.

As Kirk says above, the fast hitch isn't likely to get up high enough to trip over the pile. The total lift on a fast hitch is only about 2 to 3 feet. You could maybe go with a boom/crane style attachment for it, I think, not sure where you would mount a pivot point since the fast hitch mechanism takes up all the mounting points on the final drives and transmission.

I still think I'd be looking closer at the loader. The nice thing about a loader is you could make drop in forks for the bucket, so you could leave the bucket in place all the time, and just add the forks when you need them.

[DickB]

looking over your shoulder, all day, would be more tedious than the pitchfork!
Ed

Either a neck universal or a rear view mirror, right? The idea is to turn a whole day job into an hour job....

[DickB]

I would be more interested in figuring out the front end loader. You would be amazed at how handy they are to have around, and you have an actual, continuous use for it.

Get us some info on the loader. I'll bet it's a Henderson or a Wagner. They look like a pile of pipes, but once they're figured out and mounted, they are a pretty handy attachment.

As Kirk says above, the fast hitch isn't likely to get up high enough to trip over the pile. The total lift on a fast hitch is only about 2 to 3 feet. You could maybe go with a boom/crane style attachment for it, I think, not sure where you would mount a pivot point since the fast hitch mechanism takes up all the mounting points on the final drives and transmission.

I still think I'd be looking closer at the loader. The nice thing about a loader is you could make drop in forks for the bucket, so you could leave the bucket in place all the time, and just add the forks when you need them.

Will try to get a photo. It is indeed a pile of pipes, but no name on it, a reservoir tank on top of a cross brace. The bucket came off by me pulling a couple of pins. But it won't be an easy on / off as is a fast hitch.

Also, on the fast hitch set up, I seem to think that the more distant a tool is from the Cub, the higher it would elevate. True?

[DickB]

Here's a set of forks I had on one of my loboys. You would have to make some sort of trip lever. The problem is with the FH you might not get it high enough to dump and if the forks are set higher they might not go all the way down to the gound.
Kirk

Kirk! I like your set up. Even better than most of the rear carrier designs. What you made up would take a piece of ply on top, a bit of a back...so it would be good as both a scooper (what you have) as well as a general carrier.

Don't know how to make up a tripper for the forks, but that's an idea worth learning about. Got some ideas? My Fast Hitch is longer that the one you have -- it extends rearward a good 12" more than yours and that might help get the forks up. What size have you for the forks? thickness, width, length? Angle iron? BTW, I would not be hauling logs as you do, as I prefer chaining them and skidding them behind me--the carrier would be more for lifting barrels, tools, cut brush.

Thanks! DickB

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Here is a picture of my Waggner off the tractor. It takes 8 bolts and the hydraulic lines to remove it, which amounts to about an hour once you get used to it. Mine is an older model with the tank in a side arm, while the newer modes have it on the top arm.


Here it is moving some cedar tops I had cut. The angle of the picture makes it look like the tree is bigger than it is.



If you decide to instal the loader I do suggest some modifications to the steering to make steering easier.

[Kirk-NJ]

I no longer have this unit. I sold it to one of the members on this site. So I can't help you as far as any measurements. Although a handy little lift I have a fork lift and a bunch of loaders including some one arm loader with manure buckets .
Kirk

[DickB]

Holy Moly, John. I think that's it! Got to get out in a day or so and take some photos. The hydraulic pistons might be terminally rusty, will have to check that. Otherwise, 8 bolts? Hydraulic lines--no doubt my concern for Cub originality will suffer on setting that up, if I go for it, and I feel my feet wobbling now.... How to you get it off and on? I had planned on lifting it off the tractor by cables fixed to barn roof rafters (actually doubled up a couple of rafters after I bought the loader). I think you've more than made my day. This might well be something that'll work, that I should have done a zillion years ago. But...was deeply concerned that it might damage the Cub. Not the case with your loader? which, as you suggest, is an earlier version of what I have.

Well, if this is going to happen: Phew. I'm a bit psyched about it. Still want the rear carrier and the tine solution seems more versatile that the carrier built out of 2x2 angle iron.

BTW, what uses do you use your loader for? Those forks, and all.

Thanks greatly for the photo. I'll have to shovel some snow away from mine to get some decent shots.

Cheers, DickB

[ScottyD'sdad]

looking over your shoulder, all day, would be more tedious than the pitchfork!
Ed

Either a neck universal or a rear view mirror, right? The idea is to turn a whole day job into an hour job....

My neck universal is old and corroded. Mirror probably wouldn't aim low enough!
Ed

[Don McCombs]

In addition to a setup like John's, I'm sure a dedicated set of forks could be built for the Wagner loader.

[DickB]

Loader in the snow. First attempt to use camera with this laptop and I am not sure what'll come out. More photos to come if it is OK.