ARK 500 LOADER REBUILD ON A 522XI

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For future reference, I would like to tip my hat to Surplus Center.  One hose was back ordered, so I reached out for them to apply a ship set, or a ship complete rule.  They promptly responded and acknowledged my request.  There was no need to ship some of my order and waste their extra time or money in shipment.  HydraulicHoses.com’s sales team never followed up on a request once they passed the baton from the inquiries desk to the appropriate inside sales team.

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Got it!

 

 

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Using a step drill, then a 19/32 bit, then a 5/8 chamfer (I should have used a reamer but didn’t have one) I was able to make the bushings fit snug.  
 

 

[sjoemie himself 3,068]

Looking good Kevin! Seems to be working out fine.

Maybe I read past it but what material will you be using the loader for?

Seems to be a big bucket to be scooping up (wet) dirt?

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3 hours ago, sjoemie himself said:

Looking good Kevin! Seems to be working out fine.

Maybe I read past it but what material will you be using the loader for?

Seems to be a big bucket to be scooping up (wet) dirt?

 

Hopefully, anything I want 

 

I have no certain job, but 100% enjoyed having the stock Ark 500 on Stormy my 1056.  This one, I bought before I sold the last one.

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I got the bent tabs welded back up.  

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And the cutting edge welded on

 

 

[The Freightliner Guy 1,327]

Looks great 

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On 4/7/2021 at 9:29 PM, JoeM said:

How much do those plates weigh? Look like 20 pounders? 

Overhung and low too. Might not need much more. 

I got 500 now at the rear box and 120 on the wheels. 48x16 bucket loaded with limestone gravel handles very comfortably even on the hill. Lots of traction for digging also. 

On to the back frame rails… and to finish this up.  I have 440 lbs to stack and could likely add more plates with longer top bolts.  I feel like that’ll be sufficient.  I’m going to knock the extra length off and add a 2” hitch to finish it off.

 

 

[JoeM 7,873]

3 hours ago, Pullstart said:

 I have 440 lbs to stack and could likely add more plates with longer top bolts

I took the wheel weights off and not seen much of any difference. As a matter of fact, I took some weight out of the box and only have about 400 back there. I have added some more weight when I am doing a heavy lift and that is not to often. The machine is is quicker and not bogged down. 

I think those wheel weights are hard on the axle hubs. A lot of rotating mass and for lifting the weight is better served cantilevered on the rear box or bracket. 

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Rear hitch finished:

 

 

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I didn’t fall off this project… I’m waiting on hydraulic stuff.  I could begin rebuilding the cylinders soon I suppose…

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Found all my weights!  Somehow 1/3 was in the back barn and the other half was in the shop!  

 

 

[8ntruck 6,998]

They are not stacked in numerical order.  Take it apart and correct this grevious situation!

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A quick rattle can and you’ll never know!  But you know where I live… you can come wrestle that 440 lbs to rectify it if you please!

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I received my order today, even a couple goodies I DIDN’T order!  They told me they aren’t worth the shipping to return, so freebies it is! 
 

 

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Proof of concept…

 

The hose groups will all be in the black sleeve and a clamp system will be built.

 

 

[sjoemie himself 3,068]

Looking good so far with the hoses.

Any particular reason you went for hoses instead of hard lines in some places?

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11 minutes ago, sjoemie himself said:

Looking good so far with the hoses.

Any particular reason you went for hoses instead of hard lines in some places?

Ease of working, ease of replacements if ever needed, availability, less fittings, basically I settled for the easy way out.

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I was getting some chicken food at TSC and thought to check the tire section for clearance items.  $30 a tire and the loader will have some new ribbies.  No need to trim the nubbies @WHX?? @19richie66!

 

These will likely be tubed and fluid filled as well.  

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I was in the shop tonight and decided to do a little FEL tractor work.

 

 

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Gee… where were we?

 

I started building some hose guards tonight. They will be inside a large sleeve, but I want a sturdy guard from brush, debris, etc.

 

 

 

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I know I’ve shown these somewhere, but my rear tires are 24x12-12 OTR Garden Masters.

 

They are on stock wheels and I plan to massage the rear fender a bit for some extra clearance.

 

 

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I’ll pull the hoses out, drill through the channel and spot my stud locations.  Good enough for a night!