520H Kwik way loader sub -frame

[ecsi635j 34]

I made a little progress on the subframe today. Like cschannuth,I decided to remove the  mid Attach a Matic assembly completely and using all three bolt holes per side I fab'ed two brackets which will be welded to and support the front side of the sub frame.

At this  point,  I'm  focused on squaring up and aligning the sub frame to the tractor and trying to maintain  tolerances as close as possible at a couple of mounting points I'm within approximately 1/8  of an inch.

So the question I have  is, what's close enough for the subframe?

 

Edited November 12, 2020 by ecsi635j
additional info.

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

On 11/9/2020 at 9:44 PM, dclarke said:

I’m pretty sure this is the seat Craig has. 

That's basically the same seat as on my Mahindra eMax its ok but the Kubota (on the 315-8 I recently sold) replacement seats from TSC and such are much more comfortable IMO.

[ecsi635j 34]

cschannuth,Hope you're still around. I went ahead and purchased the plans from PF engineering and I wanted to ask  about the orientation of the boom mounts,I can see from your pictures you  weldined your boom mounts horizontally as opposed to vertically  at the top of your square tubing, did you still go with cutting your 3x3 square tubing at 20" ?

   I only ask because I like or prefer to mount the boom mounts horizontally does this effect or change any thing for example cutting heights ?

Edited November 19, 2020 by ecsi635j
additional info.

[ecsi635j 34]

On 11/9/2020 at 3:24 PM, cschannuth said:

I used 1/4” angle for my sub frame because I had it on hand. I attached it at 6 locations using the existing mid hitch mounting holes in the frame, at the rear axle, and to the frame underneath the steering tower.  This was not for a KwikWay, however.  

I forgot to add your quote

[cschannuth 3,816]

1 hour ago, ecsi635j said:

I forgot to add your quote

if you look closely at the picture below I actually did use a vertical mount but I used  a larger piece of steel so I was able to move the mounting point further forward. You’ll  also notice I had to add some material to the location for the cylinder mount on the tower. If I remember correctly it’s because I had the towers back so far that the bucket was a little too close to the front of the tractor and the tires. So instead of reworking my sub frame to move the loader/towers forward I just moved the mounting points for the loader arms and lower cylinders forward.  It took some trial and error to make things fit because this loader is designed for a cub so I may have had to make a few other adjustments along the way. It’s been a couple of years and my memory is old so forgive me if I forget something but I will be glad to answer any questions you have along the way.

[ecsi635j 34]

1 hour ago, cschannuth said:

if you look closely at the picture below I actually did use a vertical mount but I used  a larger piece of steel so I was able to move the mounting point further forward. You’ll  also notice I had to add some material to the location for the cylinder mount on the tower. If I remember correctly it’s because I had the towers back so far that the bucket was a little too close to the front of the tractor and the tires. So instead of reworking my sub frame to move the loader/towers forward I just moved the mounting points for the loader arms and lower cylinders forward.  It took some trial and error to make things fit because this loader is designed for a cub so I may have had to make a few other adjustments along the way. It’s been a couple of years and my memory is old so forgive me if I forget something but I will be glad to answer any questions you have along the way.

Thank you cschannuth I can see what you're saying.I have the lower section of the sub frame completed, although I still have the main cross member loosely fitted until I get a little more clarity as to it's  best  location.

I purchased 5' of 3x3x1/8" wall square tubing and the 3/8" base plates.The plans call for cutting the tubing at 20", but after measuring the distance to the top of the hood  20" seemed too short. I didn't want to start cutting up the  tubing until  I had a better understanding.

[ecsi635j 34]

This is the progress I've made so far.Its not visible in the photo but I welded gussets behind the front hanger and doubled the angle iron to form a tube

Edited November 20, 2020 by ecsi635j
additional info.

[ebinmaine 67,627]

7 hours ago, ecsi635j said:

 I didn't want to start cutting up the  tubing until  I had a better understanding

 

7 hours ago, ecsi635j said:

doubled the angle iron to form a tube

 

 

 

Wise choices. 

You'll do just fine. 

 

[cschannuth 3,816]

11 hours ago, ecsi635j said:

This is the progress I've made so far.Its not visible in the photo but I welded gussets behind the front hanger and doubled the angle iron to form a tube

It looks good. I did a full gusset between my two front connection points as well. Once I had mine attached at all six locations it was incredibly stout so I think you’ll be in good shape.  If you noticed on the P.F. Engineering design they really only have one attachment point to the  center of the tractor frame for the sub frame. I realize it’s a different design and probably made to be done that way but I believe our sub frame is far superior in strength to that one.  
 

The only thing I wish I would’ve done was take my sub frame out past my back axle an extra foot or two so I could have mounted my rear weight holder to it. The downside to doing that would’ve been my weights being much lower to the ground. That would’ve been fine for low center of gravity but it may have provided some clearance issues being so close to the ground. The other issue I had was I was out of my quarter inch angle that I used that I already had on hand so I would’ve had to purchase more steel.

Edited November 20, 2020 by cschannuth

[ebinmaine 67,627]

14 hours ago, cschannuth said:

I will be glad to answer any questions you have along the way

Gotta love the folks on this site....

[ecsi635j 34]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

Gotta love the folks on this site....

That is the absolute truth.Lots of helpful people on this site. My thanks go's out to every one. Really appreciate the help

[857lover 291]

On 11/9/2020 at 8:00 PM, cschannuth said:

I built this using the P.F. Engineering plans which were meant for a cub cadet tractor. I put my crossmember and uprights as far back as I possibly could because I wanted the center of gravity to be as far back on the tractor as possible. I really like it because the tractor is super stable but it does make it a bit more difficult to get on and off of the tractor since the uprights are so far back. Here’s a Sideview of my finished unit so you can see where they ended up being installed. The crossmember is 3“ x 2“ by 1/4”. 

weight bracket in the back custom?

[cschannuth 3,816]

23 minutes ago, 857lover said:

weight bracket in the back custom?

I had a receiver hitch on the back and I just used a piece of 2 x 2 by 1/4” square tubing along with a large piece of three eights inch angle iron that I had laying around with some gussets for strength.  Later I added some stabilizers from the weight rack to the sub frame for additional strength.