Installing a loader to TO-20

thoner7 · Aug 30, 2016

Hello, I am the new owner of a TO-20. I love the thing! The only thing I really would like is a front end loader. I am just not sure how to go about installing it considering it wont work with the hood assembly etc. Any advice?

https://rochester.craigslist.org/grd/5746230060.html

I have a number of projects in mind for it, but long term I will mainly be using it to plow snow. It is not rare for us to get a foot or more of heavy snow over night. Is a loader the best way to go or should I be looking at a plow or even snow blower?

Thanks in advance.

Bytheacre · Aug 30, 2016

I bought my TO30 because it had a loader on it too.
It operated very well and I still have it.
But I took it off to overhaul the whole tractor, finding
out that the steering box was wasted because of the
exceptional weight on the front end.
These tractors were not designed for that purpose,if
you take a close look at the steering box you will
notice it is made from cast aluminum and hardens
steel gear levers.
I was fortunate to find a replacement in good
shape. But I've decided not to ever put it back on.
I love my Fergie farm tractor for every other use.
It's up to you.

Bruce(OR) · Aug 30, 2016

Typical FEL runs on a front pump driven by the crank pulley. Your, uh...already dead in the water.
TO-30 can still get the front pulley, last time I checked. Not so lucky for the '20. Keep an eye on flea
bay and you might get lucky. Very slim chance, but you might get lucky. Beyond that you run into
fractures in the center axle section and the possibility of broken Spindle knees. Center section on the
wife's '20 has been reinforced with Diamond Plate. Next is the lack of power steering which can be
somewhat alleviated with longer spindle steering arms requiring a bit of fabrication and a set of used
arms. Been a long day. I am going to call it quits.

thoner7 · Aug 31, 2016

Well that stinks - no loader options at all?

What other options do I have for plowing snow?

Tom H. · Aug 31, 2016

I have a loader that came off a TO20, operates of the tractor hydraulics. If interested email is open.

steve19438 · Aug 31, 2016

back or front blade.

Dan S (NY) · Aug 31, 2016

I used my 20 for several years moving snow with a six foot back blade and tire chains.  I now use an MF50 with a six foot snowblower on the back. A snowblower on the 20 would not work that well because it doesn't have a live PTO. In deep snow you sometimes need to stop the tractor and let the blower catch up, but on the TO20 pushing down the clutch would also stop the blower. Also, reverse on the 20 is pretty fast for snow blowing.

I still use my TO20 for many useful tasks, but it doesn't do much snow moving any more, only because the blower on the 50 is so much quicker. The backblade did work fine, just takes a bit longer and it's not easy if the snow gets deep.

Dan

steve19438 · Aug 31, 2016

a TO-30 I once owned.

thoner7 · Aug 31, 2016

I would love to get my hands on a front plow but I can't find one anywhere.

Back blade I will try but, our snow is usually just too deep for me to have much confidence it in.

thoner7 · Aug 31, 2016

Sorry, new to this site and not sure how to email you. If you know how feel free to email me!

I assume this has one of the narrow front buckets though - which I dont think would work for me...

Tom H. · Aug 31, 2016

Just click on the email me on my post.

Tom

Ark68SS · Aug 31, 2016

You'll need to click on the "Classic View" icon to see the open email box in the post. If you're using "Modern View" it won't show the email options.
BillL

Kirk-NJ · Sep 1, 2016

Not sure of your location but I have a snow plow for it in NJ.
Email is open

thoner7 · Sep 1, 2016

I am in the modern mode - but I See where I can email Kirk, and I just did. Tom doesn't give me that option.

Kirk-NJ · Sep 1, 2016

I didn't get the email. Try [email protected]

thoner7 · Sep 1, 2016

email sent

Gray-C · Sep 1, 2016

(quoted from post at 18:18:51 08/30/16) Hello, I am the new owner of a TO-20. I love the thing! The only thing I really would like is a front end loader. I am just not sure how to go about installing it considering it wont work with the hood assembly etc. Any advice?

https://rochester.craigslist.org/grd/5746230060.html

I have a number of projects in mind for it, but long term I will mainly be using it to plow snow. It is not rare for us to get a foot or more of heavy snow over night. Is a loader the best way to go or should I be looking at a plow or even snow blower?

Thanks in advance.

I can provide pictures of my loader installed. I also found a pdf manual which is very detailed. Personally I intend to use a beefed up home made 6 ft blade for the 3 point hitch for snow this year if i get the hydraulics sorted in time.

phil(va) · Sep 2, 2016

The hood assembly is a problem, but not your most important problem. You can just leave the hood off, or cut it to allow access as some
have done. You will need a front pump and those are expensive and difficult to hook up on a 20. The loader will be too heavy for the
front and your steering will be taxed tremendously, and so will your arms. If you must have a FEL, I suggest another tractor, one with
power steering and modern hydraulics. The tractor will pull a decent amount of snow with a back blade if you put chains on the tires and
if the tires are loaded with fluid.

Installing a loader to TO-20

thoner7

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Bytheacre

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Bruce(OR)

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thoner7

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Tom H.

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steve19438

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Dan S (NY)

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steve19438

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thoner7

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thoner7

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Tom H.

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Ark68SS

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Kirk-NJ

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thoner7

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Kirk-NJ

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thoner7

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Gray-C

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phil(va)

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