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Anyone use a Garden Tractor loader?

Well I think I have all the parts I will need ordered. Except, dash and wiring. Exhaust, steering wheel and seat. those items are still on the undecided list. Oh and lights at some point.

Now I wait. Parts deliveries from multiple suppliers are spread out from today until 15th which really is okay. Weather is kind of crappy and I have other projects to work on.

So far I have had to use 8 different suppliers. I hate that, trying to keep it all straight. It's like I got a pretzel in my head.

Last night I pulled the fuel tank and steering column. Partially to clean and paint. The steering column needs a bushing and bearing. The steering wheel and bushing burnt, that locked up the upper bearing, which was loose in the column anyway. Honestly it would run just fine like that but it feels cheap and I hate that.

Going to clean the fuel tank out and put new lines on. Not sure it needed it but geez why not at this point. Couldn't be easier.

This area is hidden so rattle can paint it is. I don't mean to knock rattle can paint jobs they have their place. I can be a little picky.
Gotta love this rust clean up. Not typical Iowa rust, quick pass with a wire brush and it all comes off.

Really wish I would have bought a pressure washer for home already.


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The rust turned out nice. I rattle canned my hood and it looks new. I got the paint from NH. The only problem is the fenders are so faded, I should do them now.
 
bgaidan said:
Are you crazy? That's like 50% of what he paid for the tractor. :flipoff2:


(Also me: Trying to justify spending $2500 on a hot water pressure washer to clean up my $8000 telehandler.)
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Lmao no doubt.

I am spoiled. Where I work we have a 3000 psi, 180 degree hot, 6gpm ancient hotsy unit. with soap and degreaser plumbed to it.
Everything will pale in comparison to that. I already have enough disappointment in my life.
 
WaterH said:
The rust turned out nice. I rattle canned my hood and it looks new. I got the paint from NH. The only problem is the fenders are so faded, I should do them now.
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You stare at the hood and operator station all day. To me those have to be near perfect or it will drive me nuts.

growing up when we got a new to us tractor on the farm we would go through it and paint it. I remember my dad buying a john deere 70 diesel and he painted that hood 3 times before he was happy with it. So the disorder is genetic. LOL
 
bgaidan said:
Are you crazy? That's like 50% of what he paid for the tractor. :flipoff2:


(Also me: Trying to justify spending $2500 on a hot water pressure washer to clean up my $8000 telehandler.)
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Naw, just hook up the pressure washer to your hot water faucet. May not work as good as a Hotsy, but works pretty damn good in most instances for cutting through grease and oil.
 
skyhiranger said:
Naw, just hook up the pressure washer to your hot water faucet. May not work as good as a Hotsy, but works pretty damn good in most instances for cutting through grease and oil.
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Not really an option for my setup unless I want to wash and dump about 50 lbs of greasy, nasty dirt on my lawn.

Although, I just ordered a 4.gpm portable propane on demand heater for filling the hot tub at my rental. Assuming it actually delivers that, it might just work perfectly with my 2.something gpm shitty little vertical shaft pressure washer. :idea:
 
bgaidan said:
Not really an option for my setup unless I want to wash and dump about 50 lbs of greasy, nasty dirt on my lawn.

Although, I just ordered a 4.gpm portable propane on demand heater for filling the hot tub at my rental. Assuming it actually delivers that, it might just work perfectly with my 2.something gpm shitty little vertical shaft pressure washer. :idea:
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Wash it in your driveway...if you have a gravel/dirt driveway. The oil/grease will disappear. :eek::homer::lmao:
 
skyhiranger said:
Wash it in your driveway...if you have a gravel/dirt driveway. The oil/grease will disappear. :eek::homer::lmao:
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There's a problem with geography/geometry getting hot water from the house to a location that's safe for washing. :homer:
 
Late to this party, but it looks like I missed all the drama :flipoff2:
Anyhow, referring to the original post, I stumbled upon this guy who sells plans for a FEL for GT and compact tractors.

P.F. Engineering — Do-it-yourself Plans — Front-end Loader Plans

Front-end Loader Plans. Do-it-yourself CAD Plans by P.F. Engineering. Loaders, Backhoes for garden tractors, log splitters. Sample pictures and videos of those.
www.loaderplans.com www.loaderplans.com

12LA loaders for New Holland TC18's are impossible to find so I'll be going this route. It would work for the OP's JD 400.
 
TennPass said:
Late to this party, but it looks like I missed all the drama :flipoff2:
Anyhow, referring to the original post, I stumbled upon this guy who sells plans for a FEL for GT and compact tractors.

P.F. Engineering — Do-it-yourself Plans — Front-end Loader Plans

Front-end Loader Plans. Do-it-yourself CAD Plans by P.F. Engineering. Loaders, Backhoes for garden tractors, log splitters. Sample pictures and videos of those.
www.loaderplans.com www.loaderplans.com

12LA loaders for New Holland TC18's are impossible to find so I'll be going this route. It would work for the OP's JD 400.
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Seen a lot of home made ones. Kwikway was here in Iowa, I was kind of thinking Johnson loaders was around here somewhere too. So growing up and seeing them on garden tractors was common.
Back then they were putting them on John Deere 110s and 140s. They are super light compared to the garden tractors we have today.

My uncle had a Case 646 mower with a loader. As kid seemed like the coolest thing ever.

Always kind of had plans to build one, seems like the cylinders were the biggest expense. But now used ones run $800 and up. That is pretty cheap compared to building from scratch.

But after reading responses in this thread I am kind of glad I didn't go that route. We'll see.

Great link and I remember there being a few tractors over the years that nobody made loaders for. Saw my welding shop trying to weld up the bellhousing on one that someone should not have put a loader on LOL
 
Engine fan showed up yesterday. Started swapping it.

Amazing how many bolts I had to take out to move the radiator 1". Geez, Certainly the most difficult thing on the tractor so far.

Hope to start sanding on the side panels today. Maybe I can get them painted and start getting the console back to where it was anyway.

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Tiha said:
Engine fan showed up yesterday. Started swapping it.

Amazing how many bolts I had to take out to move the radiator 1". Geez, Certainly the most difficult thing on the tractor so far.

Hope to start sanding on the side panels today. Maybe I can get them painted and start getting the console back to where it was anyway.

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Is the fan made all goofy like that to help ballance a fucked up motor?
 
2big bronco said:
Is the fan made all goofy like that to help ballance a fucked up motor?
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Ha, I was having that same dilemma in my head.

I assume it is balanced like that for a reason, but it is belt driven so you really can't keep it timed to the engine position.

So I gotta just be over thinking it. Like you.

Not uncommon to see odd spacing. GM did it on steel fans for years.

Some engineer 50 years ago probably said it moves more air, or runs quieter or something and everyone just accepted that.
 
What’s crazy, is that fan is still balanced. Air pulse control, cancels out some noise. I’ve also heard it called “air battery” which is the noise a helicopter is known for making. Being around big industrial symmetrical fans hurts your ear drums. Not from decibels of noise but the constant air pressure change inside your head. Gotta try to remember to keep your mouth shut when around the fans big enough to cause that problem.
 
JR4X said:
What’s crazy, is that fan is still balanced. Air pulse control, cancels out some noise. I’ve also heard it called “air battery” which is the noise a helicopter is known for making. Being around big industrial symmetrical fans hurts your ear drums. Not from decibels of noise but the constant air pressure change inside your head. Gotta try to remember to keep your mouth shut when around the fans big enough to cause that problem.
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Same with like the Cummins ISX, or x15s got the idle bumped up, charging the AC and the engine fan kicks on. Not only loud but the amount of air it can move is shocking.

Rod knocks, air drier popping off, all manner of funny noises, that engine fan kicking on is the only thing that will startle me.
 
Radiator fan on. Blew the radiator out. As dirty as it was I imagine it was plugged but I can't ever imagine working this thing hard enough to get it hot.

Started spraying dash console pieces last night. Looking pretty good, I might have to paint the whole tractor now. LOL Will try to grab pics later.

Came home to a flat tire last night. New ones are at work. Will probably try to swap them out today or tomorrow. These were supposed to be new take offs, They don't look like they have ever been mounted. I think they are playing games trying to manipulate me.


I want to paint the rims. So I need to find some white.

Wonder what shade of White New Holland was using.

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Got the side panels and some other little pieces done. Turned out pretty good. No I am not going to sand and buff them. LOL

Makes wish I used green LOL The hood on the tractor is either warped or someone was rough with it. Bowed a little bit. The way this is starting I may end up looking for a hood instead of fix that one. Still playing tag with a couple salvage yards on parts.

Also probably pull the rear fenders, blast the seat area and paint it properly. Even get new decals so everyone knows what controls are what.

Did not get the tires mounted today. Going to clean the rims up and paint them first. Was hoping to have it all ready to go together this weekend but the rims need more attention than I thought and I probably don't have time to work on it anyway.

Should have a few parts deliveries yet today though. Excited about that. Oil fill neck and cap, then i can get the air cleaner back on. Hand and foot throttle cables can't remember what else.


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JR4X said:
What’s crazy, is that fan is still balanced. Air pulse control, cancels out some noise. I’ve also heard it called “air battery” which is the noise a helicopter is known for making. Being around big industrial symmetrical fans hurts your ear drums. Not from decibels of noise but the constant air pressure change inside your head. Gotta try to remember to keep your mouth shut when around the fans big enough to cause that problem.
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I love how I learn unexpected shit all the time on this site.

Clicks on stupid tractor thread. Learns about goofy fans.

My friends will be so impressed tomorrow when I somehow work this into the conversation. :smokin:
 
JR4X said:
Is the hood warpage a real issue or just a cosmetic one?
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It is just cosmetic. It is bowed out on the sides. Almost looks like someone sat on the top or something.

thinking of trying to bend it back some but you know how that goes, hoods especially never turn out right.

It isn't a big deal, just one of those things you stare at every time you are on the tractor and if I am going to paint it why not straighten if i can.

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My fuel sending unit did not show up on Saturday like it was supposed to so I couldn't put the console side panels back on.

have all the other parts installed though. Foot peddle throttle, hand throttle cables. Air cleaner is sitting there ready to be banded down. Made an intake hose from left over intercooler boots.

Fuel tank back in, steering column all back together and put in.

Oil filler neck and fill cap.

really need my radiator filler neck, for some reason that seems to be hard to get. I am just getting a standard neck and going to solder it in. universal, generic, whatever. stopped at the local radiator shop that we do a lot of business with, they don't have them would have to order. So i ordered on line.
Had to order twice now. First one said they had it and did not. Second place has it, or says they do. I got tracking number and everything but carrier is still waiting on package.

what a joke.

Oh well, I got a busy week anyway. Just hoping I can get the rims done, tires mounted. Maybe my sending unit will show up and I can get the side panels back on before they get damages laying around.

Was looking at belly mower. Ford 914a fits. they are 72 inch. I see them from $250 to $2000. But most of them look like they are missing the rear pto portion. Not that I need the mower but for $250 it might be a handy back up. That would allow me to tear apart my john deere and finally get it all painted up pretty.

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Have a 914 60" deck. No rear mount gearbox or anything like that. Short shaft straight from the mid PTO. It's under the belly. You got two PTO levers on the left fender?
 
87manche said:
Have a 914 60" deck. No rear mount gearbox or anything like that. Short shaft straight from the mid PTO. It's under the belly. You got two PTO levers on the left fender?
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just one I think. Is there supposed to be a mid pto? Or is that an option?
I couldn't really find an answer. On the tractors I saw online it looked like they used the rear pto, A couple pulleys and belts to lower it basically and shoot a pto shaft forward. Kind of like other tractors have.

That would make sense if there was a mid pto option, that would explain the lack of PTO parts I see in pictures.
 
Tiha said:
just one I think. Is there supposed to be a mid pto? Or is that an option?
I couldn't really find an answer. On the tractors I saw online it looked like they used the rear pto, A couple pulleys and belts to lower it basically and shoot a pto shaft forward. Kind of like other tractors have.

That would make sense if there was a mid pto option, that would explain the lack of PTO parts I see in pictures.
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On mine, the issue is 4wd vs 2wd models. On a 1500 2wd the mid PTO is useable for a belly mower. The 4wd uses the mid PTO for the front driveshaft. I took this picture of mine the last time it was brought up

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JR4X said:
On mine, the issue is 4wd vs 2wd models. On a 1500 2wd the mid PTO is useable for a belly mower. The 4wd uses the mid PTO for the front driveshaft. I took this picture of mine the last time it was brought up

IMG_3854.jpeg
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That is exactly how mine looks, Well except the paint is not nearly as nice or in existence even LOL

I looked for a mid PTO this weekend and saw no possible way.

So what you are saying makes perfect sense.
 
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