Paul Allwood
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
Kubota B7200HSTD, RC60-72H MMM, homemade FEL, forks & ballast box, rotary hoe
Thank you so much for the comments - they are all appreciated.
One thing I noticed was how unstable the platform is at full height at the far end of the forks before the legs are down.
I think most of this instability is due to the small tractor compared to the weight and location of the cage plus me relative to the front wheels, the pivoting front axle, even the flex in the tyre side walls. I guess there is also some flex in all the bits between the loader supports and the tip of the forks.
Looking at the raised forks in the shed and scratching my beard, I'm thinking that the adjustable legs being pinned in place guard against more than just hydraulic failure. They also guard against mechanical failure in all the bits I've made that help keep the cage up in the air - which is pretty much everything from the ballast box to the tip of the forks. And while I try hard, I'm not a real welder, so I have to be realistic.
Just one example....
If something breaks and I drop a load of dirt or some rocks it might be a nuisance. But if something breaks and me or my wife are 6' up in the cage it could be more than a nuisance.
I don't know if there's a neater or easier way of doing the same thing, but I'm thinking the legs will have to stay for now.
One thing I noticed was how unstable the platform is at full height at the far end of the forks before the legs are down.
I think most of this instability is due to the small tractor compared to the weight and location of the cage plus me relative to the front wheels, the pivoting front axle, even the flex in the tyre side walls. I guess there is also some flex in all the bits between the loader supports and the tip of the forks.
Looking at the raised forks in the shed and scratching my beard, I'm thinking that the adjustable legs being pinned in place guard against more than just hydraulic failure. They also guard against mechanical failure in all the bits I've made that help keep the cage up in the air - which is pretty much everything from the ballast box to the tip of the forks. And while I try hard, I'm not a real welder, so I have to be realistic.
Just one example....
If something breaks and I drop a load of dirt or some rocks it might be a nuisance. But if something breaks and me or my wife are 6' up in the cage it could be more than a nuisance.
I don't know if there's a neater or easier way of doing the same thing, but I'm thinking the legs will have to stay for now.
