Storage On A Tractor - Kolpin Gear Basket 53360

[GrizBota]

We all know storage space on a tractor is at a premium, as in there’s not much. Maybe a cup holder (behind the seat no less) and a tool box the size of a pencil box or maybe a small shoe box at most. Just carrying a chain or a pail is a hassle.

@Flintknapper, a member here on OTT, showed how they mounted a Kolpin gear basket, 53360 on their L2350 to the ROPS. They a used a pair of square u-bolts to fasten the basket to the ROPS. Here’s a photo of that installation they shared.

This rack is about 38” long, 13” wide
and 7” deep. It will carry three standard 5 gallon pails. I use 5 gallon pails for “tool boxes” and material storage when I do fencing work. This got me to thinking how I could mount this basket (or similar) to my L3830.

The following posts will have a discussion and some photos of what I did on my tractor.

 

[GrizBota]

So I checked the web for similar storage baskets, which are generally intended for ATVs and SxSs. It turns out the Koplin seemed to be about the best size to mount behind the seat and not interfere with three point usage. So I ordered one from Amazon for about $90.

I had did some figuring and measuring and determined it would fit just about right. I decided to make a bracket to support the basket, since the basket itself is not all that stout. I decided to mount the bracket to the four 12 mm bolts that mount the horizontal cross tie on the lower portion of the ROPS, about the top of fender level. I think the L series and larger have this horizontal cross tie. Below is a picture of that area. The four silver bolts is what I’ll mount the bracket to. Just behind the seat is a stock tool box which can hold a few wrenches and pins.

 

[GrizBota]

I scrounged though my scrap metal pile and found some left over 2x2 angle, 1/4” and 3/8” plate and bed frame angle (about 1-1/2” x 3/4”).

I did have to buy about $15 worth of metric 12 mm bolts that were a little longer than stock to accommodate the 1/4” plate that the mounting bracket is made of.

I did some careful measuring of the mounting bolt spacings and cutting with my poor old band saw (got a new blade for it). Then I drilled the holes in the 1/4” plate brackets (about 4”x6”). I cut the 2x2 angle to length, about 15” long each and rounded the corner to keep from taking off too much scalp when hooking up the PTO. The 2x2 angle to 1/4” plate junction looked a little whimsy so I made a couple of little wedges, about 4x4, out of some scrap 3/8” plate. I also cut the bed frame angle to length (38”) and put holes in it and the basket (4 places in each of the two rails).

I wire brushed all the mill scale (and rust) off my scrap metal and rounded off the sharp corners.

Then I took the whole mess to my buddy’s place and he made it all stick tighter.

Here’s a picture of the bracket after it was welded up.

 

[GrizBota]

After welding it was time to clean up the welds and paint it. I did some more wire brushing. Then whiped it down with acetone to remove any oil (which I used plenty for cutting and drilling). Then sprayed on to two coats of rattle can paint 48 hours apart like the can recommend. Black satin was selected to match the basket. Although Kubota machine gray was strongly contemplated. Each coat was actually two light coats a few minutes apart, like the can recommended.

Here’s a photo before paint.

Here’s a photo of the fresh paint in all its glory.

 

[GrizBota]

After paint it was time to mount the bracket to the tractor.

 

[GrizBota]

And here’s a couple glamor shots with the basket mounted to the bracket. Note I purposely left about a 3/4” gap between the vertical portion of the ROPS and the back of the basket and a similar gap below the basket and the top of the fenders. I didn’t want any rattles.

I plan on mounting a chainsaw carrier bracket on both the left and right sides in the face of back of the basket. As much as I love my Stihl saws, if you have a finicky M-tronic (like my 261C) you need a back up (my 362C). And now I’ve got a place for fuel, oil, wedges, chains, saw tools, straps, oh my.

 

[GrizBota]

Lastly a handful of close up shots showing some of the details.

And one last photo showing that somehow it all worked out that the slow moving vehicle placard still fits in the stock location. I also appreciate that the basket fits between the tail lights, so they remain unobstructed.

 

[GrizBota]

Here’s the basket info, from one of the Amazon vendors. I paid $90 from Amazon in late July 2023, although I noticed immediately thereafter the price increased to about $106.

The basket itself is not very well built, in my opinion. The welds are only tack welds on the vertical “bars” (sheet metal actually) securing about 1/3 of the available cross-sectional area. Regardless I think it will work fine on the bracket I built, as that system will carry any real load in the basket.

 

[NCL4701]

Simple (but well thought out), clean, effective. Nice job on the fabrication!

Excellent write up as well.

 

[The Forest]

outstanding

 

[Heehaw]

Really nice job and write up with pictures, thanks for sharing!.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Great write up my man!

Outstanding job on the bracket, it looks like it will last forever.

I am looking at options for a "tool box" as well....the backhoe complicates things though.

 

[fried1765]

Great write up my man!

Outstanding job on the bracket, it looks like it will last forever.

I am looking at options for a "tool box" as well....the backhoe complicates things though.

I have yet to determine a suitable "tool box" type and location for my L48 TLB.

 

[Flintknapper]

We all know storage space on a tractor is at a premium, as in there’s not much. Maybe a cup holder (behind the seat no less) and a tool box the size of a pencil box or maybe a small shoe box at most. Just carrying a chain or a pail is a hassle.

Another member here in OTT (please speak up, unfortunately I did not note the member’s user id) showed how they mounted a Kolpin gear basket, 53360 on their B2650 (I believe, could be wrong) to their ROPS. They a used a pair of square u-bolts to fasten the basket to the ROPS. Here’s a photo of the installation that member shared.

View attachment 109554 This rack is about 38” long, 13” wide
and 7” deep. It will carry three standard 5 gallon pails. I use 5 gallon pails for “tool boxes” and material storage when I do fencing work. This got me to thinking how I could mount this basket (or similar) to my L3830.

The following posts will have a discussion and some photos of what I did on my tractor.

That is mine. No 'credit' necessary. We are all here to 'share' and learn.

 

[Flintknapper]

Really nice job and write up with pictures, thanks for sharing!.

Agreed. Nice job, very strong.

Well written documentation.

 

[GrizBota]

I have yet to determine a suitable "tool box" type and location for my L48 TLB.

I suppose you backhoe guys have seen some of the ammo can mounting brackets that can be mounted to the ROPS? If not, that might be an option. They will hold a 50 cal can, maybe they can even be modified to hold a fat 50 cal can.

On my B, I plan on replacing the silly tiny little OEM plastic “tool box” with an orange (of course) plastic 30 cal ammo can. It’s probably 4 times the volume of the OEM offering.

 

[GrizBota]

That is mine. No 'credit' necessary. We are all here to 'share' and learn.

Thanks. I’ll update my initial post regardless. I appreciate being able to work off off your idea.

 

[Flintknapper]

GrizBota Wrote:

And one last photo showing that somehow it all worked out that the slow moving vehicle placard still fits in the stock location. I also appreciate that the basket fits between the tail lights, so they remain unobstructed.

View attachment 109574

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Reply: ^^^^^

Well done. Important to mount it such that lights and placards are not obscured.

It is a very handy way to carry items that you'll need to work on a project in a day. I don't use mine to 'store' things on the tractor (though it might serve that purpose as well). I just throw whatever I'll will need into it....along with a small cooler.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Looks great / well done. I really like the mounting solution through the rops…maybe I missed it but where is the bottle opener?

 

[GrizBota]

GrizBota Wrote:

And one last photo showing that somehow it all worked out that the slow moving vehicle placard still fits in the stock location. I also appreciate that the basket fits between the tail lights, so they remain unobstructed.

View attachment 109574

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Reply:

Well done. Important to mount it such that lights and placards are not obscured.

View attachment 109595

It is a very handy way to carry items that you'll need to work on in a day. I don't use mine to 'store' things on the tractor (though it might serve that purpose as well). I just throw whatever I will need that day into it....along with a small cooler.

View attachment 109596

Nice! My intended usage is the same as yours. Just day trips. I think my little Coleman cooler (from the late ‘80s, but still just low molded plastic) might?? fit like yours.

Looks like you have a decent sized tool box mounted directly to the right fender as well. That looks very handy. How do you like it there?