C160 Loader Project

[Dieselcowboy 210]

Recently I picked up an ARK 550 loader Very reasonably priced. So I have been asking lots of questions lately on the fourm of axles and loaders. Now I will share what I have been doing and where this project is at. I have installed an axle from a 210 JD I had laying around. Thought of a 520 axle setup but everyone is very proud of their 520 parts. This JD axle is 1" and swept forward. Tractor steers way easier than it did before and has much heavier wheel bearings. Also working on a sub frame. Have most of it welded together. Will be finishing that and starting to work on mounting the hydro pump. This may take some time to complete as time and money become available. Keep checking back.

[Kelly 1,030]

I've seen a few people swap the JD axle into tractors, they said it was pretty simple, you will love the loader when you get it done.

[312Hydro 474]

Great solution for the axle. Does it have the same amount of sweep and does it use the same axle pin? Looks like you have a well thought out project and I'll be looking forward to seeing your progress. :handgestures-thumbupright:

[Dieselcowboy 210]

I assume you are talking about the same amount of sweep as a 520 axle? I don't know that one. Only seen 1 520 in person and it was an 89' model. It does use the same 3/4" axle pin. So nothing more than a few shims on the axle pin and fabing new tie rods. WH axle is wider at pin point than a JD.

[Dieselcowboy 210]

Small amount of progress. Moved Hyd valve from right side back to original location on left side of loader. Included moving all lines with it. Made new handle holders from key stock and ready to weld them on.

[KC9KAS 4,741]

Looking good....I too have an ARK 550....with some issues......I will keep an eye on you and your work!

[clemedc 29]

I am interested in seeing your progress. Thanks for sharing

Clem

[Dieselcowboy 210]

Work may slow over the holidays.... We are going to be in snow mode for a while here in central Indiana. Expecting maybe 6" Christmas night and another round Fri - sat . I work for a city as 1 of 8 mechanics for 65 snow plows. This is why I want a quick tach loader. This one does everything for me being hydro lift.

Has less than 1 hour on a overhaul and 325lbs iron weight and 1/4 calcium on rear. Pure piece of meat with a K 341 as a power plant ! Hopefully it will blow snow.

[clemedc 29]

:woohoo: Thats a TANK

[can whlvr 993]

interesting project,i have a c160 auto that i blow snow with and it is amazing,the 16 hp loves to dig into deep snow,even though we havnt had any in years

[Dieselcowboy 210]

Small steps in the right direction. A mock up to see where I need to weld the cross bracket for the loader to set on.

A front brace bracket I made for the quick hitch. Have worked some on the pump mounting also.

[JoeM 7,874]

Sweet, your going to love that machine! I did not realize how much I could have used a loader before finishing mine. Good looking job!

[rexman72 210]

looking good and keeps you busy

[Jake Kuhn 1,556]

Looking great! :handgestures-thumbup:

[clemedc 29]

It looks great and the patina on the loader makes a great match to the tractor

[Dieselcowboy 210]

Something special for everyone following this topic. The original bill of sale and the owners manual. Sold in Fishers,IN new. One town south from me.

[JamesBe1 82]

Something special for everyone following this topic. The original bill of sale and the owners manual. Sold in Fishers,IN new. One town south from me.

Wow! Looking at those prices highlights just how much the dollar has been devalued. I'm not a mathematician, but I would guess by at least 90%.

What would you guess a new one would cost in today dollars?

[Dieselcowboy 210]

$405 of 1978 dollars would be worth: $1,426.62 in 2012

So it cost way more to build a loader from scratch today.

[clemedc 29]

Thats awesome

[Dieselcowboy 210]

Made a hyd pump bracket this week. Pic 1 shows the bit I used to make the slot with. A regular drill bit would not have worked. Pump is one I had laying around. Same as all, trying to be correct but as inexpensive as possible. Thanks to everyone showing me their ideas for mountings. Now just to finish welding on the loader and making new hyd lines to custom fit.

[JamesBe1 82]

Made a hyd pump bracket this week. Pic 1 shows the bit I used to make the slot with. A regular drill bit would not have worked. Pump is one I had laying around. Same as all, trying to be correct but as inexpensive as possible. Thanks to everyone showing me their ideas for mountings. Now just to finish welding on the loader and making new hyd lines to custom fit.

Nice handiwork. I think whatever points you loose on appearance, you more than make up for with ingenuity!

Kinda curious. Is the bottom bolt in the picture the pivot? If so, how to you lock the position in place to maintain the tension? I'm not familiar with FEL's on c-series tractors. Is that the correct pto diameter - pulley diameter ratio?

Thanks for sharing you progress, it's very interesting.

[Dieselcowboy 210]

Here is the finished mount. To be honest I'm not familiar with FEL's on c-series either. Just making up things as I go. I also have no idea on the pulleys. We will find out when it gets hooked up. Can't hurt anything with a try. If it doesn't work I'll put a different pulley on.

[wallfish 17,106]

I would go larger on the pump pulley and at least match it to the drive pulley for 1:1 RPM. I doubt the pump would be designed to go faster than 3600 RPM.

Does that decal on the pump give any info on GPM, pressure or RPMs? You'll want about 5-7 GPM, any higher and it will move too fast

[JoeM 7,874]

Looks good. Wanted to mount my pump that way, but the foot control hydro was in the way, had to move things forward.

1:1 will give the best preformance on the pump. Those gear pumps seem to have a max speed and output at 3600 rpm. Worth a try as long as you don't over rev. Keep in mind, the lower rpm will take away from the transmission torque. Just thinking!

[JoeM 7,874]

That JD front axle is a nice touch. Do you have the model of the JD that came off of?