D 200 front loader going together.(finally)

[1maidenfan 202]

Started putting the front loader that I built on my D 200 today. I have everything but hydraulic hoses and those are in the process of being built. I was at napa this past week and had 1 of each of the hoses that I need made, now they have to get all the fittings ordered and the rest of the hoses made.

Installed wheel weights, 110 lb. each and will be making a 3 point bracket to hold steel weights.

Redone the steering on this also, new thrust bearings on the spindles, new wheel bearings and one of the old thrust bearings I installed on the steering pivot so it has something to pivot on.

Fab'd a bracket for the hydraulic pump and a way to adjust belt tension, now I need a proper size belt.

Steering wheel needs new bushing in the top, very sloppy, so I have it sitting in a puddle of PB Blaster. ( wish me luck on that! )

Will update as time goes on and hoses come in.

110 lb each.

All new bearings in the PTO

The 160 had to make in too!

[whfan74 2,068]

Looking good John! That D-200 looks very familiar! Glad to see that it will have an attachment to work in the very near future!

[312Hydro 474]

Your loader looks great! Did you build it from plans?

[coldone 35]

That looks great. For the top bushing on the steering shaft. try one of the bearings thats like one on the wheel. It needs to be a lipped bearing it will be a little loose. you can shim it or us JB on it to fit it. I did this to one of my ross columns and it works great.

[1maidenfan 202]

That looks great. For the top bushing on the steering shaft. try one of the bearings thats like one on the wheel. It needs to be a lipped bearing it will be a little loose. you can shim it or us JB on it to fit it. I did this to one of my ross columns and it works great.

Thank you for the info.

I have to get it apart first.

Your loader looks great! Did you build it from plans?

Just from my head.

Looked at pic's from other loaders here on redsquare and started cutting and welding.

[1maidenfan 202]

Looking good John! That D-200 looks very familiar! Glad to see that it will have an attachment to work in the very near future!

Yep, that's the one Scott. I used it a couple times to mow when my D160 was down. It runs great and the seat is very comfy! Just need to get steering wheel tightened up and it will be great.

Thank you.

[Alan_Heist 7]

I like the lights!! Do you think that your forward braces are enough? Most I've seen seem to be a little more stout. It looks very capable thought. Can't wait to see more progress pics!!

[decksetter 50]

Looks good John! Keep up the good work :handgestures-thumbupright:

[JamesBe1 82]

Looks great! Very impressive that you designed and built it yourself. What kind of pump are you using?

I find the lighting is nice to have, but I don't really have much that I need to do with the loader at night. Also, the bucket and lift arms block a lot of the light.

Also, I see that you are attaching the brace to the top of the front hood shroud. That's a clever way to get around the adapters that are used with the standard ark loader. However, it might be a concern that the shroud might flex too much under load. I or anyone can post pics of the brace adapters if you want to go that route.

James

P.S. I love the fender mount tool box. Is that OEM?

[Horse'n Around 22]

That looks terrific. You have a lot of talent in both planning and fabricating.Great work !!!

John

[1maidenfan 202]

Looks great! Very impressive that you designed and built it yourself. What kind of pump are you using?

I find the lighting is nice to have, but I don't really have much that I need to do with the loader at night. Also, the bucket and lift arms block a lot of the light.

Also, I see that you are attaching the brace to the top of the front hood shroud. That's a clever way to get around the adapters that are used with the standard ark loader. However, it might be a concern that the shroud might flex too much under load. I or anyone can post pics of the brace adapters if you want to go that route.

James

P.S. I love the fender mount tool box. Is that OEM?

Thank you. The pump is off a dump truck, smaller one like a 1-2 ton. I believe it is a chelsea (spelling?)

I had the lights laying around for awhile now so I thought I would put them on, I dont plan on doing any work in the dark either but ya never know. Maybe snow storm at 3am

I also am wondering about the down bracing for the uprights as their is some flex in the hood shroud. Might have to run more bracing or maybe some one can post a pic of how theirs is braced.

Thank you for the kind comments. Alot of work in this thing! But it has been alot of fun :woohoo:

[KC9KAS 4,741]

Great FEL build.

Is your hydro pump high enough off the ground that it won't get hit/damaged?

[1maidenfan 202]

That looks terrific. You have a lot of talent in both planning and fabricating.Great work !!!

John

Thank you!

Its all about looking at something and being able to duplicate that. Alot of wire used through my welder on this one.

Will have to pull the bucket out from under the work bench and get pic'd of it posted.

[1maidenfan 202]

Great FEL build.

Is your hydro pump high enough off the ground that it won't get hit/damaged?

I sure hope so. Thats one of my main concerns on this build. One way to find out

Thank you.

[1maidenfan 202]

Looks great! Very impressive that you designed and built it yourself. What kind of pump are you using?

I find the lighting is nice to have, but I don't really have much that I need to do with the loader at night. Also, the bucket and lift arms block a lot of the light.

Also, I see that you are attaching the brace to the top of the front hood shroud. That's a clever way to get around the adapters that are used with the standard ark loader. However, it might be a concern that the shroud might flex too much under load. I or anyone can post pics of the brace adapters if you want to go that route.

James

P.S. I love the fender mount tool box. Is that OEM?

I believe the tool box is oem as it was a front loader tractor and backhoe tractor previously. One of our members I believe had this when it was a loader / hoe tractor.

Purchased this D200 from Scott (whfan74) what a great couple of guys him and his dad are!

[JamesBe1 82]

I'd love to get one of the fendermount tool boxes, but I suppose they are hard to find. I guess I'll just get a run-of-the-mill toolbox and attach it somehow. Very handy thing to have. Almost as important as a cup holder!

[otrelwood 32]

i took one off that i didnt think was supposed to be on there but if you saw some of the po improvements this jewel had you would have thought that too

[JamesBe1 82]

Here are some pics of the support bracket on my FEL.

Anything else you need, just ask. I'd love to see your project turn out to be a major success.

[1maidenfan 202]

Here are some pics of the support bracket on my FEL.

Anything else you need, just ask. I'd love to see your project turn out to be a major success.

Great pic's

I think I can make those no problem.

Looks to be a much sturdier way also. :handgestures-thumbup:

[JamesBe1 82]

The pleasure is all mine sir! I am delighted to contribute in the slightest way to your fantastic project.

BTW, how would you make holes for the mufflers (assuming that you need to.)?

[wheeledhorseman 574]

I was away over the weekend when this thread was posted and I've only just caught up with it.

This is simply awesome my friend. I don't think I've seen as much steel going into a design and build project since I visited Stigian over here to see his 6x6 project.

I can do a bit of the make it up as you go along fab'n stuff but only on a very modest scale, as I said this is just awesome!

Oh well, perhaps one day.

Andy

[1maidenfan 202]

I was away over the weekend when this thread was posted and I've only just caught up with it.

This is simply awesome my friend. I don't think I've seen as much steel going into a design and build project since I visited Stigian over here to see his 6x6 project.

I can do a bit of the make it up as you go along fab'n stuff but only on a very modest scale, as I said this is just awesome!

Oh well, perhaps one day.

Andy

Thank you. It has taken 4-5 months on and off working on it. Now if I can just get hoses I think I will be in buisness!

I also watched the "stig special" go together, now that is a work of art!!!

The pleasure is all mine sir! I am delighted to contribute in the slightest way to your fantastic project.

BTW, how would you make holes for the mufflers (assuming that you need to.)?

Plasma cutter would be my first option. All else fails, the torch will do it.

Thanks again.