FORD 3400 Loader removal

thoner7

Member
I'm looking at a 3400 industrial with 720 loader.

How feasiible is it to remove the loader arms(not the frame) and reinstall as needed?

I'm thinking with some quick disconnect fittings on the hoses and removing the top loader pins and lower pins on the hydraulic cylinders, it could lift right off?

But I'm not sure how the motor driven pump and hose connect to the controls etc.

Any advice? Thabks
 
If you put the quick disconnects in the hydraulic lines between the control valve and the cylinders, you will be OK. It will continue to
circulate oil through the open center control valve.
 
(quoted from post at 19:14:02 06/04/19) If you put the quick disconnects in the hydraulic lines between the control valve and the cylinders, you will be OK. It will continue to
circulate oil through the open center control valve.

Yes, leaving the controls on the machine, right?
 

as others have said. but one way was.... to fold the big cyls back straight up vertically against the frame and only disconnect the bucket tilt is an option also.
 

Also.. dropping off the bucket at the pins.. also is a nice way as it takes all the front weight off and makes a pretty nice plow tractor that way. but re-engaging the lower pins on the bucket is near impossible unless the bucket was set up on some 4x4 blocks,, then it was a piece of cake. Either way, enjoy.
 
(quoted from post at 06:11:15 06/05/19)
Also.. dropping off the bucket at the pins.. also is a nice way as it takes all the front weight off and makes a pretty nice plow tractor that way. but re-engaging the lower pins on the bucket is near impossible unless the bucket was set up on some 4x4 blocks,, then it was a piece of cake. Either way, enjoy.

Yes, the only reason I would remove the loader arms etc is for the extra weight. I have some soft muddy ground and my current machine is too heavy.

The 3400 is 1000# lighter right off the bat and I think removing the loader arms would serve me well. Taking the bucket off, I doubt that's enough?
 

bucket could weight around 375 lbs if similar to mine... but getting the bucket off the front,, allowed the remainder weight to be more on the back tires and makes a heck of a difference... No more ""nose"" heavy, more ""even"" heavy, so much more go go.

However skinny front tires are always a problem and will sink in most anything. You will be very surprise at how it handles by just removing the bucket.

720 and 730 loaders are a huge pain to remove fully or even remove the bucket frame and arms and cyls....

but... everyday with a loader is better than without.
 
(quoted from post at 15:14:09 06/05/19)
bucket could weight around 375 lbs if similar to mine... but getting the bucket off the front,, allowed the remainder weight to be more on the back tires and makes a heck of a difference... No more ""nose"" heavy, more ""even"" heavy, so much more go go.

However skinny front tires are always a problem and will sink in most anything. You will be very surprise at how it handles by just removing the bucket.

720 and 730 loaders are a huge pain to remove fully or even remove the bucket frame and arms and cyls....

but... everyday with a loader is better than without.

"Huge pain" -- how long would it take do you reckon? Just removing the arms .... If I had quick disconnect hoses, and cotter pins at the pivot points? I was also thinking of building a stand where the bucket would lip under an edge and be able to curl the bucket to lift the arms off/on.

I also figured on putting on 265 truck tires up front. I will try your bucket removal idea first I suppose.
 
Do you have a barn/garage/large shed with ceiling beams or joists that you could hang an overhead hoist or winch from? If so, that would be the easiest route. You could hoist the arms with the bucket attached all of the way up to the ceiling for storage and not lose the floor space.
 
(quoted from post at 06:01:23 06/06/19) Do you have a barn/garage/large shed with ceiling beams or joists that you could hang an overhead hoist or winch from? If so, that would be the easiest route. You could hoist the arms with the bucket attached all of the way up to the ceiling for storage and not lose the floor space.

yes!! big tree, beam, or trolly to pullup the arms and hold them till your ready to drive back into them would be the best thing... otherwise you'll need another loader tractor :roll: you can carefully weld some loops on the frame to attach chains to to lift and hold... or

make up some feet that hold the arms from the rear as the early quicktach loaders used.

SO that makes removing the bucket more practical, and again you will be very surprise how much difference that makes.

but dont set the bucket on the ground, set it on 2x4s or something to raise it up or you will have problems re-engaging the bucket lower pins. The wood also allows you to slide the bucket a bit with aligning up with the pins which is needed.

But removing 378 lbs that is 3 foot out in front of the front axle will make it a completely new tractor... :) center of gravity changes from front axle to almost center so it becomes ""GOOD"" weight and the tractor is a plow monster with great traction. Also no longer hard BOUNCING the front end on bumps....

However still a PIA to service a tractor with a loader frame on it.
 

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