Loader owners: Dedicated tractor only?

[chipwitch 73]

Hi All.  It's been awhile.  Been busy with other things, but recently picked up an '80 D-160 with loader (project).  I know, I know... pictures.  I promise as soon as I get it mobile...

 

Okay, my question is for those of you who have a WH equipped with a loader.  While I'm sure some of you put to good use the 3pt hitch, I was wondering if any of you have found ways use mid mount attachments?  I like the size of the 160 and would prefer it to grade my long driveway as well as other things, but it seems that for the sake of practicality (with my setup, in any case), that the loader and mid-mount attachments are mutually exclusive.  I would like to rig the loader to attach and detach easily so I could make use of the mid-mount attachments and the extra mass and girth of the 160.  I think I have a good idea how to make that happen.  I would find it encouraging if any of you have a loader equipped tractor that you also use for mowing, mid-mount grading etc.  I'm aware that most of you will find the most agreeable solution to simply buy more tractors.  Unfortunately, my space, money and time are limited.  I need to work with what I've got.

 

The real reason behind the question is that I'm in the midst of fitting the tractor for power steering.  While the loader frame presents its own interference with the prospect of mid-mount attachments, should I overcome this challenge, I'm still faced with interference from the power steering cylinder, hoses and column (valve).  It appears the lift linkage for the mid-mount equipment is at least partially occupying the same space I need for the power steering stuff.  If I am confident that donning and doffing the loader could be made a practical feature, then I would work a little harder to keep the power steering from interfering with the lift linkage.  Otherwise, I'm considering just removing the linkage altogether which is something that just rubs me a little wrong.  Irrational, I know, but I like knowing that all the parts that were intended to be on the tractor ARE on the tractor! 

 

So?  Anyone using mid-mount attachments?

 

[ibskot 37]

Well, I have a Johnny Bucket....not what you meant but still. I can get it off and on quickly.

I'll shut up now.

[cheesegrader 433]

I've only taken the loader off once.

Took about 40 minutes, and a helper.  

I could see taking it off to mow here, since the season is short,

then putting the loader back on for the fall/winter/spring.

But in the south, mowing season is year long.

It can be done, but I'm sure you will wish for a second tractor after a short time.

[953 nut 59,896]

As you said, most of us tend to keep one attachment on each tractor and if we need another attachment we find another    to put it on! The one attachment that I have for a three point hitch that may solve your grading problem is a York Landscape Rake with a Retractable blade. Being 3 point it can be mounted and removed quickly as needed. 

Edited April 1, 2015 by 953 nut

[boovuc 1,090]

Even with power steering, the D series are tank-like and are better at mowing open spaces as opposed to smaller yards with trees and other obstacles. I think I would look more at dedicating it to just the loader with your three-point and not worry about mid-mount attachments. With the 3-point, you can mount a back blade that will do the same as a mid-mount grader blade and the same applies to mowing if you wanted to get a finishing mower for the back. 

 

I keep my loader dedicated. There are a few more reasons than just the PIA it may seem to change big implements like that.

First: Mine is on a 520-H and it has the gear-reduction steering and heavy-duty front spindles/bearings for a loader that other Wheelhorse tractors lack unless ordered with or modified.

Second: I know a lot of people mow with their Onan-fired tractors but I don't mow with the 520 and I mow less with the Onan 416-8 Speed. They suck clippings and block the flywheel screen.

Third: I have the luxury of being able to keep a few Kohler-Powered mowing tractors and the others in a shed & garage and out of the weather so having about 5 or 6 workers with some dedicated isn't too eccentric. 

 

The loader stays on the 520. The blower stays on the C-175. Both 310's and the 867 keep the mower decks on them. The 416 gets changed from a plow in winter to another mower deck and back again in winter.

[chipwitch 73]

Thank you for the input.

 

@cheesegrader  Sounds like you've at least toyed with the concept.  If it only took 5 minutes to don or doff and could be changed out solo, would you be inclined to do it?

 

@boovuc I don't know the first thing about "Onan" beyond my days of sailing (long past) as they were used for many generators and even inboard engines if memory serves.  I know they had a good name.  As far as the clogged flywheel, can't that be remedied easily with filtering or something?  Would some mod possibly help with dust and debris?  The reason I'd like to use the D-160 for other purposes is precisely because of it's size.  The additional width, height and weight (not to mention the hydraulic steering) are why I'd like to use it for gardening and grading my driveway.  The driveway is "shell rock."  It's got a lot of lime in it and gets nearly as hard as concrete over time.  Well, not quite but you won't get a shovel through it.  A mattock gets through it pretty easy and I'm thinking the D-160 with a midmount blade should be hefty enough and rigid enough to make easy work of managing the tire ruts.  Whether or not the midmount blade works better than the bucket remains to be seen.  I don't want to tear up the loader after all I went through to get it!

 

In the end, maybe it isn't worth the trouble and I'll just leave it dedicated as a loader

[Forest Road 594]

I have a 522xi w Kwik Way loader. Think I've had it 3 years now and haven't even thought of taking it off. Also own a 314h w all the attachments. She blows snow in the winter and grinds grass in the summer. Maybe grade the driveway once a year w the mid mount. Or on rare occasion hook up the wood chipper. Back to taking that loader off I DONT WANT TO EVEN THINK ABOUT IT.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[boovuc 1,090]

Hi Chipwitch,

 

Onan's needs a lot more cooling than the Kohler on your tractor so they have a very high vacuum around the flywheel screen. Not much can be done about it.

I seriously would consider using that three-point to your advantage. It has down-pressure so a rear-mounted grader-blade would work just as well off that heavy machine as a mid-mount blade would. Your D-series is more versatile than my 520 with that three-point on the back. A three-point grader-blade can be bought or made for that three-point of yours cheaper than the mid-mount grader blade for the D-series tractor. You can keep the loader on it and grade your driveway with the rear grader off the hitch. Again, you could also buy a finishing mower for the three-point giving it more versatility all the while without having to remove the loader. Give it some thought.

[alswagg 128]

I have a D with both a loader and backhoe.  The backhoe is easy to remove, the loader and subframe is not.