Quick attach adapters for FEL on 401C

LCA078

Member
Happy New Year, everyone!

One of my goals this year is to use my new-to-me 401C in working my new land in central Texas. My 401C has a FEL with pin-on bucket (looks factory but no idea if it's a common FEL attachment) with a 3pt hitch and PTO. My question is whether or not there are quick attach adapters I can put on my FEL so I can use bobcat/skid loader style attachments. My local rental yard stocks a good assortment of attachments but I don't have a way to use them.

Thoughts on what's available?
 
I made up a quick tach plate from a large frame skid loader to fit a New Holland 345 tractor loader. Added
hydraulics to make the quick change without leaving the seat by using remote valve on tractor top cover. If using
hydraulics on Deere without remote hydraulics , you will have to add a closed center single spool valve to the
pressure system somewhere to operate the quick tach cylinders. Most quick tach plates that are hydraulic have a
lever or rod visible from tractor seat to ensure the plate is locked to the implement used on the loader. Weld
bucket bosses to fit the loader arms.. I would use small hydraulic lines so it doesn't operate too fast.
 
Google quick attach couplers. For about
$300 you can find a universal quick
attach that has flat plates to weld to.
You cut the mounting tabs from your
bucket and weld it to the flat plate at
the spacing you need for your loader
arms. Then the quick attach will be
universal for skid attachments. You will
have to get a plate for your bucket so it
can latch on.
cvphoto69760.png
 
Hayspear.com sells several different
varieties of quick attach brackets. They
supposedly custom built certain ones as
well. Might give them a try.
 
Thanks for the info. I did see these adapters where you weld on your own bosses. I just thought (or really hoped) there were adapters already fitted for specific models like my 401C that didn't require additional fabbing. I don't know if JD had a standard pin-on pattern for their buckets and I just needed to look for that particular pattern for an adapter. Looking back at my original question I realize I didn't phrase my question well.

So is buying a 'blank' quick attach and then welding on my own bosses the best way? There is no supplier who already has ready made to just be pinned on?
 
It's an old tractor I am sure you could
probably find one made for it but the
cost and time would make it not worth it
at that point.
 
Okay- looks like I'll need to buy a blank adapter and add my own pin bosses to connect it to my FEL.

One last question: By design, these adapters are built to handle regular forces (lifting, pushing, etc.) but wow strong are these adapters when using reverse force like back dragging or pushing down with the bucket? Any issues with them releasing or popping out?
 
I have a skid steer with the same hp as
your tractor and it's never been a
problem. If you were talking about a
tractor in the 120 hp range and up I might
question it then. Several manufacturers
make loaders with skid steer quick
couplers.
 
A few thoughts;

What kind of attachments are you wanting to use?

A 401 is a tough old mule, hydraulics are strong enough to raise the rear wheels off the ground if the load on front is too heavy.

With decent weight on the rear it will lift a 1800 lb round bale on forks sticking out in front of the bucket without a problem.

401's are light on the rear so things like loaded tires, wheel weights, tire chains, or a bale on forks on the 3 point go a long way.

Before you rush out and buy anything check to see if you can get the bucket pins out, I have had them seized in so tight before that it turned into a whole day of sawing, cutting, drilling, heating, beating, pressing, swearing etc.

If you still decide to put a plate on YOU MUST fabricate travel stops on it otherwise when extending the tilt cylinders they will cam over center then bind and lock up if you are lucky.
If your not lucky you will snap in two the expensive and hard to find pivot arms that attach to the end of the tilt cylinders.
 
I agree with Determined. More than just horsepower is in play here. HP might be the same as a skid steer, but the weight and balance is different. I believe you need to be heavier than HP might match. Not saying a skid steer plate will not work, just saying go heavy. And the stops are a point well noted.

Depending on the attachments you are thinking of using, hydraulic flow required can be a factor. Your 401C pump might not have flow enough for all attachments. Also it is closed center so you need to make sure the attachments are compatible in that area as well. Just some other things to check out.
 
All great points. And yes, I bought my 401C as I was looking for a 'mule' to work on my land moving dirt, grading driveways, piling brush, loading pallets, etc. I wanted an industrial with 3pt and PTO as I remembered my grandfather breaking front axles on his 2630 after we added an FEL to it for just moving round bales and light dirt work in between working the fields. His only solution was installing a front axle from an Industrial. I won't being doing true field work as pulling a shredder will be about the closest thing my 401C will do for ag work.

My 401C is 62hp so not large but not small either. I'd like to use the skid steer rental attachments on my FEL to drive t-posts, auger holes, maybe do a little bit of tree shearing (only central Texas cedar brush-- not real trees!). I understand the center-closed system and I won't need continuous flow for hydraulic shredders, mulchers, etc. I know those require a decent sized skid steer with dedicated aux hydraulics...not my 401C.

I'll make sure my pins are able to come out before I worry about getting an adapter. I also was thinking to not convert my bucket to a quick attach as I'd have to butcher up the bucket a bit. Great pointer of ensuring I have roll-back stops.

I'm generally a fan of going heavier so appreciate Jim's advice. I see different grades of quick-attach's and don't mind spending a few extra bucks for quality. Just need to make a decision...
 

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