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Last winter I mentioned the loader I was working on. I now have it mobile.


Still have to assemble and mount the bucket.

Looks cool Mike! Is that like a 3500? Used to have a 4500..... old school.....but great tractor. What is the red and white decal down by the radiator? Not trying to preach....but just want to pass on to u....and all really......if u load the bucket......keep it very low......a rear counter weight is a must. I need to make one for my Kubota.

Looks like a fun project.

Is that Freeman loader?

Dave,that's an SU,it's a 4000SU. Yup,about dumped a skidsteer with a bucket full of dirt.

Merk,it's a Massey Ferguson 32.

It has definitely been a learning experience but once it's done it should be very useful. It came with a multitude of 3 point implements.

Ok...i never saw one badged that way. I read that they were used a lot for mowing ....used by high way Dept's. It said it has a lower center of gravity......but yours looks normal. Do u have the hood ? A while back I saw new instrument clusters on eBay.....man I would have loved to have one of those. Mine all worked...it was just faded real bad. Those Ford engines have always treated me good. Have fun!

Super utility is supposed to be heavier duty but still farm level as opposed to the industrial line. I do have the hood but will have to do surgery on the loader frame or modify a different hood to clear and close.
it seems like Ford made a bunch of different models/lines for all kinds of stuff.

Thinking back.....i did have to kinda "spring" my hood to get it to clear as it was passing the loader arm......not so much as to bend it.....but it would definitely hit if no care was taken.

Ok....it's been way too long...so where we at on the "SU"? R u able to just push in or "spring" the hood closed ....or do u need rework it? Pics please

I was moving along pretty well. Loader and tractor working together well and then I found how bad the hyd valve spools leaked. Now i am waiting on the machine shop to sleeve and grind them.
Hope to be getting under way soon again.....I hope

I guess i need to update......someone is being nosey again
I was lucky and found a machine shop that did a fantastic job repairing the control valve spools. Next was to fit and weld the bucket. I am now to the point of building the attachment points of the bucket to the boom and curl cylinders and i am 75% done with that.
As for the hood Dave, i am going to set the hood on and use the factory bolts,just wont be able to hinge it.

Mike - Very cool. Thanks for the update.

Didn't we also have a guy on here rebuilding a Mag 20? Haven't seen anything on that for quite awhile...

Wow.... moving right along. What r yor plans for this beast...snow patrol?

Mike... wasn't there a guy who used to post projects ? But now that his name is in green.....don't post at all?

Some pics of the bucket and related fab work,

Wow....u built the bucket? Wow! Please elaborate! I see a nice cutting edge. I'm sure u made grease able pins to the loader arms or is the zerk in the loader arm....this is a high wear area. I will ask again.....what is this loader going to b used for? If it's just for fun.....i understand that too

The lower pin is drlled and tapped for a grease fitting and the upper will be when done.
It will be used for moving some dirt and compost, probably snow too. I think i will use the 3point and pto more than the loader.

Ok...that grease question was a pop quiz.....u passed! U can proceed with no more interference from me. Now Tom on the other hand......he can b super critical...."your using the wrong rod"..."is that tungsten or carbide".......u know, dumb stuff.....so don't let him beat u up too hard

Mike - Really nice work, the bucket looks factory fresh!

So, in spite of dag's derogatory barbs, I have to ask the questions he is afraid to!

The plates the pins go through, how thick are they, and do they have any increased thickness from a doubler at the pin area? This can be a high wear area, just curious how much area the pin is bearing on.

How are the pins retained? I see a cotter pin, but is that temporary, are you going to replace with something heavier?

Did you have access to a metal brake for the bucket, or is that all flat sheet welded together?

Anyway, it is looking really good. Forgive all my questions, I just really like this fab stuff!

Did you use any AR steel on the bucket?

Thanks for the kind words guys(Tom any way )
The bucket is 11ga mild steel with a 6" cutting edge on the bottom and wear strips on the bottom.
Tom, the pin bosses are 3/4" on each side,pins are drilled and tapped for grease fittings and will have retaining plates.

Ok, 3/4" thick on each side, that sounds plenty beefy!

Seeing your hooks on top the bucket reminds me that I have been wanting to add to my bucket as well, just another job on the list I have to get to...

It really is going well. Was that bucket welded up with all flat sheets or did you use a brake for any of it? Man I like this fab stuff, I need a new job!

Keep the updates and pics coming!

I have a former customer who will work with me to make all kinds of custom stuff. I bought the steel and he sheared and broke the pieces. I did the fitting(VERY little to be done) and welding.

Tonight I made the pin tabs(to keep the pins in place and from rotating).
I am sooooo close I stopped at the powder coaters to look at colors.....thinking safety yellow. They have a nice New Holland blue but that seems like too much blue to me.

Another small step on the way to getting the bucket welded on,


and this is for Tom,

I hope at the end of tomorrow the bucket is welded on.

Good looking project, Mike. I'm surprised you didn't use abrasion resistant plate for the cutting edge.

Thanks.
Cutting edge is abrasion resistant, i also put wear strips on the bottom of the bucket.....belt and suspenders for me

Good to be prepared... Belts will break when you least expect them to!

uuh....Mike, That tired old girl wont b able to lift that bucket (let alone with a load in it) by the time u get done making all us engineers happy! ...I was fine with the cotter pins. Quit welding and move on to the paint

I just thought everyone should know how crazy u r getting.Your wife sent me this picture of u the other day heading out to the powder coater:lol:

Mike - Thanks, I like getting my own special picture! Beefier than I thought, looks like you have some doubler "donuts" on the inside...if I am seeing it right. I like the pin retainers too. You mentioned powder coating, Steve Williams might have some pointers...where is that rascal anyway...

Another step,

Big Mike looking good...nice project!!