How strong is the front axle? GF1800

[DennisY]

I would like to put a loader on the front of a GF1800. I know this is a judgement question with no great answer. I have looked at some snow blowers that are pretty big and far out ahead of tractor. Looks like quite a load on front axle. If I had a loader bucket as close to tractor as I can make it, would I be safe at say 300 pounds in bucket? The loader itself would weigh a few hundred pounds. What have others seen for attachments on that size of tractor? If I were to break front axle, that would be a lot of days rental of a skid loader.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

How the heck are you going to attach a loader to a GF1800???

 

[GreensvilleJay]

EASY, just takes a LOT of cash, ton of steel, two boxes of hydraulic things and presto......a month later, version 2.0 will kinda work...
Yes, it can be done ...be an 'interesting' project...could drain a small wallet though.

 

[DennisY]

How the heck are you going to attach a loader to a GF1800???
View attachment 106409

This one seemed to lose roll bar before we got it. The 4 bolts behind and under seat is the main attachment point where the roll bar mounted and where the rear weight bolts on is the other. I have already done the months work on it over the last couple years. I haven't bought anything, just stuff in shop. Now I get close to done and get cold feet about breaking something. It is my wife's mower. I should know I can't build anything little and light.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Looking over the blueprints for it, the ROPS mounting points are no where near strong enough to support a loader.
When a B of the same vintage is fitted with a loader it requires a subframe to stiffen and strengthen the mounting points.
If you don't add a proper subframe you'll just break the tractor in half.

You're asking a lot of a purpose built mower that was never designed to have a loader attached to it.

And to answer your original question how strong is the front axle, well it's not a heavy or strong as a tractor that was designed for the operations with heavier loads.

 

[ve9aa]

Surely you jest.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

curious.. went back to my files... and the Sears ST16 had a loader(self levelling ! ) would lift over 400#.
....so that 'mower' could be modified, big wheels up front is a bonus and has a full frame.
as for capacity.. start with tire weight limit and work backwards. can it be done, yes. should lift 500# providing you can design the hydraulics. Also have to add weight in the back as a counter balance.
Try Googling 'ST16 loader'..should find the OEM manual for the loader.
when I made a 'clone' for a JD317 I had, I started with wood to get the dimensions right THEN cut up steel.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

curious.. went back to my files... and the Sears ST16 had a loader(self levelling ! ) would lift over 400#.
....so that 'mower' could be modified, big wheels up front is a bonus and has a full frame.
as for capacity.. start with tire weight limit and work backwards. can it be done, yes. should lift 500# providing you can design the hydraulics. Also have to add weight in the back as a counter balance.
Try Googling 'ST16 loader'..should find the OEM manual for the loader.
when I made a 'clone' for a JD317 I had, I started with wood to get the dimensions right THEN cut up steel.

No offence, but your comparing a cast iron beast with a aluminum unit, not anywhere in the same wheel house!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

since K tosses a big mower up front, I'd assume the front axle( really a 'rear' up front ) and the frame could support a loader setup. hmm, wonder what the tires are rated for ?
I know front axles on ST16 are just 1" shafts.
one of those 'have to see it, to design' projects.

 

[GrizBota]

I would like to put a loader on the front of a GF1800. I know this is a judgement question with no great answer. I have looked at some snow blowers that are pretty big and far out ahead of tractor. Looks like quite a load on front axle. If I had a loader bucket as close to tractor as I can make it, would I be safe at say 300 pounds in bucket? The loader itself would weigh a few hundred pounds. What have others seen for attachments on that size of tractor? If I were to break front axle, that would be a lot of days rental of a skid loader.

Sounds interesting.

Try not to break the mower. Maybe pick up a cheap used riding mower just in case. And maybe a spare axle.

 

[Steamer Pete]

Just wondering how stout the transmission is? Loaders on these compact tractors are supposed to be run in low gear to be able to push into a pile of dirt. Too high of a range, and you'll stall the tractor before your bucket is any where near full.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Just wondering how stout the transmission is? Loaders on these compact tractors are supposed to be run in low gear to be able to push into a pile of dirt. Too high of a range, and you'll stall the tractor before your bucket is any where near full.

This would be all good and fine if it was a tractor, it's not it's a lawn mower, not built the same.
See the picture I posted.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

It maybe a 'mower' but yeesh....

TractorData.com Kubota GF1800 tractor transmission information

www.tractordata.com

..that's a pretty nice transaxle !!!!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

It maybe a 'mower' but yeesh....

TractorData.com Kubota GF1800 tractor transmission information

www.tractordata.com

..that's a pretty nice transaxle !!!!

I think your really confused, the weight and stress are not on that axle, they are all on the little axle on the back of the unit, as that is the leverage point to a loader being mounted on it.

 

[Vigo]

Im sad to be late to this one!

Firstly I’ll refer you to this thread which will very likely make your day: Same thing on a Toro

Next, i’ll say that it’s a less scary thought than you might assume durability wise, because a front mount mower is basicaly built like a backwards tractor. Thats good in the sense that unlike a ‘regular’ tractor the loader weight is mostly carried by the stronger axle and not the weaker one! I personally wouldnt be too concerned about axle durability. The downside is that unlike a ‘regular’ tractor you cant easily add the required counterweight by hanging something on the 3pt hitch, because you dont have one.

I think the idea of a loader on that type of machine is tenable but will take a lot of effort to be ‘as good’ as a garden tractor with a loader (comparable size class) mostly because it’ll require a more complicated design both in terms of mounting the loader, and in terms of adding the required counterweight without ruining the steering effort.

I would be excited if you decided to take it on. The result would be a pretty cool machine as long as it could lift at least 3-400lb and not be a pita/deathtrap to operate. I once mounted a 500lb crane to the front of a converted riding mower and that presented all kinds of issues which i mostly worked out and ended up with a cool little machine that i was glad i built. I havent touched it in a long time but im still so affectionate towards that project that i keep it around for an eventual ‘round 2’. So i doubt you’ll regret it either way.

 

[Hkb82]

Firstly I’ll refer you to this thread which will very likely make your day: Same thing on a Toro

Been a bit since I’ve visited that site. Talk about pop up adds lol

 

[DennisY]

Im sad to be late to this one!

Firstly I’ll refer you to this thread which will very likely make your day: Same thing on a Toro

Next, i’ll say that it’s a less scary thought than you might assume durability wise, because a front mount mower is basicaly built like a backwards tractor. Thats good in the sense that unlike a ‘regular’ tractor the loader weight is mostly carried by the stronger axle and not the weaker one! I personally wouldnt be too concerned about axle durability. The downside is that unlike a ‘regular’ tractor you cant easily add the required counterweight by hanging something on the 3pt hitch, because you dont have one.

I think the idea of a loader on that type of machine is tenable but will take a lot of effort to be ‘as good’ as a garden tractor with a loader (comparable size class) mostly because it’ll require a more complicated design both in terms of mounting the loader, and in terms of adding the required counterweight without ruining the steering effort.

I would be excited if you decided to take it on. The result would be a pretty cool machine as long as it could lift at least 3-400lb and not be a pita/deathtrap to operate. I once mounted a 500lb crane to the front of a converted riding mower and that presented all kinds of issues which i mostly worked out and ended up with a cool little machine that i was glad i built. I havent touched it in a long time but im still so affectionate towards that project that i keep it around for an eventual ‘round 2’. So i doubt you’ll regret it either way.

That was some interesting reading and links to other posts. Thanks