ebinmaine 63,163 #1 Posted November 10, 2017 I'm thinking of putting together a lightweight light duty Electric FEL with 2" steel square stock framework and a modified plow as the scoop. I'm not able or super interested in building or spending the money for a heavier duty hydraulic unit at this time, for this tractor. I don't have a welder but the angles look simple enough to plan out with wood and put on paper for the local welder dude. I'd like to be able to scoop up a couple cubic feet of crushed rock/sand/dirt/mulch and carry it a-ways.... and dump it. Approximately 250 pounds of material and another 60 or 80 for the steel (?) 350 Lbs actual weight to lift and I like a Big margin for error so: Linear actuators are readily available for a C-note or so that would be adequate strength (I think). 600-ish Lbs (x2) for the sides and a single one out front for the bucket-tipper. Comments? Thoughts? Things I need to consider? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,728 #2 Posted November 10, 2017 Check out the Johnny Bucket, that is what they use. http://johnnyproducts.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,163 #3 Posted November 10, 2017 5 minutes ago, 953 nut said: Check out the Johnny Bucket, that is what they use. http://johnnyproducts.com/ That's part of where I got the idea. Check this out: Mounted higher so I'll still maintain my ground clearance.... I'm thinking of this same arm set-up but with a different bucket. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,928 #4 Posted November 10, 2017 Those actuators move pretty slow If you're not going heavy duty anyway, how about just adding a bucket to a snow plow blade? It can be made of wood until your design is perfected then go steel if you want. Something like this? Add an actuator for dumping it? Hydraulic lift tractor or add actuator for lift too? 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,052 #5 Posted November 10, 2017 @wallfish Can you add little more design features , some of us can't read so good and lost a lot of brain cells in the 60's and 70's. Some of us weren't born with a lot of grey matter ( just ask @squonk) 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan693 510 #6 Posted November 10, 2017 Here's my FEL......I used a winch as the main lifting mechanism and an actuator as the bucket dump and wired it all to a 4 way joystick. I might have a couple hundred in it and it works great. 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan693 510 #7 Posted November 10, 2017 (edited) Another pic out on my drive from the other side. I hadn't wired the joy stick yet. Edited November 10, 2017 by Dan693 edit text 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,928 #8 Posted November 11, 2017 On 11/9/2017 at 9:28 PM, elcamino/wheelhorse said: Can you add little more design features I could but backyard yard half arssed engineering designs will cost you plenty. Would you like me to PM my PayPal account address? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,052 #9 Posted November 12, 2017 I would think a Back Yard Hammer Mechanic would be more than happy to spend hours drawing a design for a buddy. I tried to make my own drawing but the eraser kept eating holes in my one sheet of paper. Being on a strict budget I have to watch where I spend my pennies. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big_Red_Fred 1,547 #10 Posted November 12, 2017 I FEL with my ole Coal Shovel, does that count @elcamino/wheelhorse Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,163 #11 Posted November 12, 2017 (edited) On 11/9/2017 at 8:38 PM, wallfish said: Those actuators move pretty slow If you're not going heavy duty anyway, how about just adding a bucket to a snow plow blade? It can be made of wood until your design is perfected then go steel if you want. Something like this? Add an actuator for dumping it? Hydraulic lift tractor or add actuator for lift too? Considering we just use person-power now, I think the speed is not really a factor because it will go faster and easier than my shovel. This is what I was thinking of... plow when I need it, or bucket... 43 minutes ago, Big_Red_Fred said: I FEL with my ole Coal Shovel, does that count @elcamino/wheelhorse YESS !!! That's what we do now. I don't mind using the calories but I'm thinking a small bucket would just have a little more endurance than I do. Edited November 12, 2017 by ebinmaine 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big_Red_Fred 1,547 #12 Posted November 12, 2017 21 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Considering we just use person-power now, I think the speed is not really a factor because it will go faster and easier than my shovel. This is what I was thinking of... plow when I need it, or bucket... YESS !!! That's what we do now. I don't mind using the calories but I'm thinking a small bucket would just have a little more endurance than I do. That B80 FEL is still taunting you since i showed you huh, LOL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,163 #13 Posted November 12, 2017 1 minute ago, Big_Red_Fred said: That B80 FEL is still taunting you since i showed you huh, LOL Hehehe. .. You bet it is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,163 #15 Posted November 12, 2017 Just now, Big_Red_Fred said: Love it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big_Red_Fred 1,547 #16 Posted November 12, 2017 If a Silver Dodge Ram pulling a Trailer pulls up out front of your home Playing I'll be home for Christmas, its your Day LOL ole buddy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,163 #17 Posted November 12, 2017 1 minute ago, Big_Red_Fred said: If a Silver Dodge Ram pulling a Trailer pulls up out front of your home Playing I'll be home for Christmas, its your Day LOL ole buddy I'd say !! Hahaha! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big_Red_Fred 1,547 #18 Posted November 12, 2017 I can say, the weather talk has me worried, i have a plow truck, a Good Coal Shovel LOL and a Honda 621 single stage and a 824 toro, but im still thinking its not enuf, were gonna get a Rude awakening at sum point Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,163 #19 Posted November 12, 2017 1 minute ago, Big_Red_Fred said: I can say, the weather talk has me worried, i have a plow truck, a Good Coal Shovel LOL and a Honda 621 single stage and a 824 toro, but im still thinking its not enuf, were gonna get a Rude awakening at sum point We have 3 snowblowers a 1976 Cub Cadet 826, Gardenway 1024, And a Simplicity 13-38 ! Bring on the snow! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,462 #20 Posted November 12, 2017 All this talk of white stuff and I look out the window - it's coming down now and all my equipment is in pieces at the moment....enough talk of that , thanks...lol . I still have my #12 grain scoop (aluminum) and a buddy with a newer Kubota mid-compact with loader/rear blade...hehe Sarge Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,928 #21 Posted November 12, 2017 21 hours ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said: I would think a Back Yard Hammer Mechanic would be more than happy to spend hours drawing a design for a buddy. Nope. Below is the kind of crap you get. A backyard hammer mechanic is better designing as he builds instead of wasting time on drawings. But here you go, invoice sent! 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,052 #22 Posted November 12, 2017 @wallfish I knew you could provide the drawing now that I have got you thinking when are you going to get your hammer out and build one ? I have been promised a D-250 with a Fel by @Big_Red_Fredbut I think he has been pulling my leg. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big_Red_Fred 1,547 #23 Posted November 13, 2017 @elcamino/wheelhorse Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #24 Posted March 3, 2021 On 11/12/2017 at 4:27 PM, wallfish said: Nope. Below is the kind of crap you get. A backyard hammer mechanic is better designing as he builds instead of wasting time on drawings. But here you go, invoice sent! This deserves FAR more attention than it got! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 10,609 #25 Posted March 4, 2021 (edited) Things to put on your consideration list: Electric actuators: - slow (as someone above noted) (think .5 inches per second or less -- the WH hydraulics are 3" throw and close to 3 inches per second! - expensive for those that go faster and are for outdoor use (i.e. IP67 or IP68 ratings) - do pull and push with similar force - are physically longer than equivalent hydraulics - cannot handle side forces at all (so excellent pivots are critical to avoid torquing them) - most cannot handle impact forces much more than their push/pull force (in @wallfish's schematic above, if you ram it into a dirt pile there aren't springs absorbing that "tipping" force, it's directly "pulling" on the actuator so it'll just strip the gears in the actuator) whereas most hydraulic cylinders can handle substantial impact force above its "design load" force. Hydraulics: - can have high force in small package with short throw and quick movement (yeah, there are lots of reasons why engineers love hydraulics!) Clamshell: - with the hinge at the top of the blade, you need at least some real force to open it when it's full so heavy structure and/or a long lever arm. - if the sides don't extend past the blade, stuff falls out the side as soon as you start to open it I concur with @wallfish. This is not something you just throw together if you want something long lasting, sturdy, and easily used. YouTube is overflowing with winch-operated versions with gantries of dubious strength and buckets cut from all manner of things (I saw one cut out of a filing cabinet). Many have ropes and wires and look like Red Green discards. There are a few gems in there, built by folks with craft and cleverness. Edited March 4, 2021 by Handy Don 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites