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Help with fel attachments

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waystd
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 3 New York
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2009-07-13          164023

Hi, I am new to this site. I just purchased a '99 kubota
L3010 with a La481 fel.It came with 10 other 3 ph attachments and I am looking to add the skid steer
quick attachment to the loader. I have researched this site
and found there are a couple makes to choose from.Which is the better pruchase? The unihitch, the ATI, Kubota brand or the skid steer brand. I would like to be able to have more flexibility with attachments in the future, so i am thinking of the ATI brand. Right now i am looking into the pallet forks as my first attachment along with a new bucket.A new bucket only so i don't have to weld plates to my old bucket. My old bucket is kinda beat up with other stuff already welded to it (a make shift fork attachment using monsterous forks and a 2-1/2 dia. steel bar, to heavy to lift and mount). Anyhow, i have read the ATI hitch fits better (less slop) than some of the others.I would really appreciate some more info on this subject and if someone could explain how the quick attachment actually hooks onto the fel. Thank you :)


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earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2009-07-14          164027

The skid steer attachment mounting plate actually replaces the factory bucket mount using the same pivot pins. So if you have a non-skid steer loader bucket now you won't be able to use it--unless you grind/cut the old mount off and have a new "blank" sksid steer mount welded to it. Keep in mind you MAY be able to use a regular skid steer bucket--but I doubt it for several reasons: added weight--SS buckets are much more robust than most FEL buckets; too deep--you lose much of the break out force since leverage is lost; the geometry of the mounting location compared to the old bucket.

In any event I'd stick with the Kubota mounting plate. They have the research and development (testing) to back up their product. And in economic times like these, the last thing you want is to buy something from an aftermarket that may be there when you need parts or warranty. ....

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Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2009-07-14          164028


I'm right with you on the ATI skid steer hook up. The Kubota will limit you to their stuff only just like the rest of the manufacturers do. Don't bite on it!

The only draw back is that some of them do stick out further as well as weigh more but it keeps you with a more universal system. This gives you more flexibility in attachments as well as better prices!

We've used ATI for years on our tractors we sell and they have held up great! ....

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waystd
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 3 New York
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2009-07-14          164052

I would like to thank you for the information in the responses that have been posted. Right now i am still researching all my options, and still kind of leaning toward the ATI setup. But once again thank you. ....

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earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2009-07-14          164055

Art, skid steer attachments have been standardized since mid-1996, which follows so are the machine mounted attachment plates. With that in mind how does using a Kubota or other manufacturer's OEM attachment plate limit the user? In fact, with the 250+ attachments available today, many, if any OEMs don't even make their own attachments. If Kubota is doing something to prohibit users from using other attchments or in any way affecting the mounting, then by definition they're not standardized.

(scratching my head) Based on last your post, using an ATI or any other aftermarket which you say can be heavier and some even stick out further---which are negatives---and make the case for using OEM attaching plates. ....

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Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2009-07-15          164079

I didn't intend to confuse ya but Kubota as well as several other manufacturers offer there own models of Quick disconnect yet for some models!!!!

These are not at all compatable with the now generic skid steer attachments. They do make you come back to the manufacturer for a limited line-up of normally higher priced attachments.

Quick disconnects normally do weigh more then a bucket pinned on to the loader frame and they normally move the load further away from the tractor reducing the load carrying capacity. ....

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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2009-07-15          164083

Quote:
Originally Posted by Art White | view 164079
I didn't intend to confuse ya but Kubota as well as several other manufacturers offer there own models of Quick disconnect yet for some models!!!!


Any of our fleet that have QD buckets have a SSL type standard attachment.

On my own machine at home though I have one of the proprietary Kubota QD fittings. This one is a clever (IMHO) design which is nothing more than a short 'extension' fitting that goes on the FEL in place of the bucket, it in turn it uses the standard buckets pins. The 'upper' set of pins are left in the bucket (or whatever) full time and are engaged by 'hooks' on the adapter, then the bottom pins are inserted or removed to lock/unlock the bucket for changing it up.

By using the standard bucket, and only needing 4 standard 1" pins, I can (and have) made a variety of my own attachments to use in place of the bucket. In most cases I just use some structural angle iron with 1" holes drilled in it as a base. One such example can be seen in my pictures 15 & 18.

Best of luck. ....

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earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2009-07-15          164086

So ultimately if a someone wants to buy a new or used tractor AND wants to potentially use the full spectrum of ANSI-standardized skid steer attachments, then really they should buy a skid steer attachment mounting plate made for their FEL (either aftermarket or OEM)--the only drawback will be they will have to either get a new bucket made with a ANSI skid steer mount plate OR reuse and modify the old bucket with a new mount plate.

I'm not clear on whether there is an adapter that converts the OEM-specific quick attach to the standard ANSI skid steer type.

Further, with Murf's home machine, if I read between the lines, he probably already had the Kubota and some Kubota-specific attachments. So rather than modify them to use them on a skid steer or his other work fleet of 'Botas, he chose to keep them the way they are. When he wants to use a n ANSI skid steer attachment then he modifies it with angle iron. Murf, eh? ....

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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2009-07-15          164088

Jeff, you mostly nailed it.

The part Art was talking about was the point I made too, the 'extension' part. You push the bucket (or whatever) forward by something between ~3" (about the smallest I've seen) and 6" which seems to be about the norm. Of course farther forward cuts into your lift capability.

The big advantage that a lot of people find with the QD setup like I have is it took about 5 minues (no kidding) to install it, and it requires no modification to any 'standard' 'Bota bucket. It also only cost about $250 if memory serves too.

The part you didn't quite nail was the ANSI type mount implements. I'm not that ambitious, I usually just one of the ANSI mount tractors from the fleet. LOL

Seriously, I have most of what I need now, new stuff will just be sourced (bought or fabricated) as 'Bota OEM 'standard mount' size and style which works with my QD hook-up. The one thing I am doing this summer (I hope) is a heavier set of forks with a hydraulic grapple above.

Best of luck. ....

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mrbackhoe
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 7 Northern Illinois
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2009-08-06          164721

Woods is another manufacturer that makes skid steer quick attaches for older Kubota loaders. I thought about adding their quick attach and new buckets on my last Kubota, but when I looked at the cost of a new cab tractor with Woods FEL and BH, I traded the whole package down the road. ....

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