How to Install Your Own Quick Attach
Here’s a do-it-yourself quick attach tutorial on how to install your own quick attach instead of taking it to a welding shop. It does take some time, of course, but if you know how to weld, it can save you money. Let’s take a look at each step of the process.
Step 1: Remove Bucket Pins and Install Face Plate
When you’re changing from a pin-on bucket to quick attach, the first step is easy if the bucket pins have been greased on a regular basis. Put the tractor on a level surface and remove the pins that hold the bucket on. Back the tractor up while not changing the height or angle of the loader arms. Position the quick attach faceplate where the bucket was and reinstall the pins. It helps to have two people working on this project.
Step 2: Maintain the Back Sheet Angle
At this point, any attachment that will fit a skid loader will fit your tractor, but the bucket will no longer go on. It’s time to make it quick attach compatible with the weld-on plate that comes in all conversion kits. Before you start, note the angle of the faceplate. That same angle is what the weld-on plate on the bucket should maintain. All modern skid loaders have a back sheet angle that is 20-degrees off of vertical, and most implements that go on them have that same forward tilt. On some attachments, that angle is not critical, but it is on pallet forks.
Above is a photo of the bucket with the weld-on plate lying next to it. Some buckets (like this one) have a brace across the back. You may need to remove some of the brace to accommodate the length of the weld-on plate, but leave as much as you can to maintain the structural rigidity of the bucket.
Step 3: Measure Faceplate Location
Now it’s time to get the tape measure to see exactly where the new faceplate will go. The old pin-on brackets will have to be torched off and the quick attach weld-on bracket welded on. Remember, measure twice, cut once!
Step 4: Removing the Old Pin-On Brackets
As you can see in our pictures, one old pin-on bracket has been removed and the remaining material is being removed with a grinder. The other pin-on bracket is being removed with a cutting torch.
Step 5: Placing and Welding the Weld-On Plate
The weld-on plate has been stabilized with clamps and tack welded. Note how the angle iron support brace has been maintained inside the weld-on plate. It won’t be in the way of the quick attach.
Now that everything has been fitted up and tacked on, it’s time to complete all the welds for the new bracket. As soon as this job is done the installation is almost complete.
Step 6: Applying a Finish
With the welding done, it’s time to shoot some paint on the new bracket and the back of the bucket to prevent rust and oxidation.
Step 7: Finished and Ready For Work
The job is done, and the new quick attach feature is ready to go!
A quick attach is the best option you can add to a tractor. It opens the door to many attachments that make you more productive, and it allows you to remove the bucket when in tight quarters or when brush hogging. The only thing you may not like about it is if you could have done it sooner!
Pallet Forks: One Final Note
Beware of cheaper fork frames that don’t have that same angle. They may not work on this quick attach and THAT’S NOT THE FAULT OF THE FACEPLATE! True skid loader design pallet forks have that same 22-degree angle, and that’s what you want to purchase.
Obviously, this is what we don’t want. It is cheaper to manufacture pallet forks that don’t have the 20-degree angle the rest of the industry adheres to. These forks will have to be modified to work, and the customer would have been better off buying a set with the right angle in the first place.
On some tractors the angle is not as critical, but on many utility tractors made from 1970 through 1985, the correct angle is essential. The biggest offenders tend to be the Deere 100-series and 48 loaders, and some International and Massey loaders. We maintain the 20-degree angle that all skid loaders and reputable attachment makers adhere to, so if you have forks like these that do not work, that’s the fault of the pallet fork manufacturer.
Unfortunately, we cannot compensate customers for a fix or provide a modified faceplate.
Click here to download a copy of the steps.
Do you have a skidsteer attachment to fit a Farmhand F11 loader?
I’m sorry, but we struck out on an out-of-the-box conversion for your front-end loader. It’s going to take some fabrication, but there is an option I have for quick attach for your Farmhand F11 at the link here. https://asktractormike.com/product/universal-pin-on-bucket-to-skid-loader-compatible-quick-attach/ To make it work, you’ll need to carefully cut off the pin-brackets that are on the bucket now and weld them on to the face plate frame, then weld the skid loader compatible bracket to the bucket. Trying to cut those brackets off while keeping them intact can be a little bit of a challenge, and everything may have to be reinforced. A person who is gifted with a torch can easily do this; it would be out of my abilities. After that, everything will have to be painted and you have quick attach and if the welder person is good, it’ll look factory.
Unfortunately, that kit is not currently in stock and will take about 60 days to build and ship.
Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
When would you have one of these kit for a Kabota L852 loader?
Joe,
I’m checking with the factory and will let you know just as soon as they respond. Thanks!
-Mike Wiles
Joe,
The factory is saying that if they had the order this week, it could be produced and ready to ship mid-to late-March. Lead times are currently fairly long.
Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
-Mike Wiles
Can you get an adapter for a Kabota LA181 loader?
Travis,
No, unfortunately, the weight of the quick attach would take up a huge percentage of the total front end loader lift capacity and not leave enough to pick up a meaningful load. I’m sorry I can’t help you!
-Mike Wiles
How about an LA 300 loader?
Matt, Unfortunately we do not offer anything for the LA300 at this time. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks! -Brian Hesterlee Ask Tractor Mike
I have a Kubota B3300 SU tractor with a 4 in 1 bucket on an L 504 loader. Do you have a kit to convert this? What is the lead time for current orders?live.com
Max,
That should be an LA504. If that’s correct, here’s the kit to convert it:https://asktractormike.com/product/kubota-la364-la434-la504-la534-front-end-loaders-to-skid-steer-quick-attach-conversion/. We currently have two in stock and ready to ship on Monday. When they’re gone it’ll probably be about 8-10 weeks before another batch rolls off the line. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
-Mike
I have a 1974 international 2400 series a with a 2050 series a loader. Would you know of a conversion that will work on it ?
Jimmy,
We sure do. Here it is: https://asktractormike.com/product/case-ih-2050-front-end-loader-to-skid-steer-quick-attach-conversion/. The kit includes the face plate, which goes on the front of the loader after the bucket is removed, and then a weld-on bracket that must be installed once the old pin-on brackets are torched off and ground down. The face plate goes on easily (if the pins in the old bucket were kept greased), getting the weld-on plate on is a bit of a job. If you’re good with a welder it would probably be no big deal, I’d take it to a welding shop because I’m not that good with a stick.
If you want me to check on availability, shoot us an e-mail at su*****@as************.com and we’ll see how long it would take to get to you.
-Mike
I have a New Holland 7308 loader do you have a quick attach conversion kit that will work, if so what is the price and what is the lead time?
Larry,
Here’s a link to the cobversion for the 7308: https://asktractormike.com/product/new-holland-7108-7308-front-end-loader-to-skid-steer-quick-attach-conversion/. The kit is $1249 + freight, which will generally run $200-$225 depending on where you live. It includes the face plate, which goes on the front of the loader after the bucket is removed, and then a weld-on bracket that must be installed once the old pin-on brackets are torched off and ground down. The face plate goes on easily (if the pins in the old bucket were kept greased), getting the weld-on plate on is a bit of a job. If you’re good with a welder it would probably be no big deal, I’d take it to a welding shop because I’m not that good with a stick. We have those in stock right now ready for immediate shipment.
Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
-Mike Wiles
I have a Massey ferguson 50e loader do you have a quick attach conversion kit that will work
Shawn,
We can special order a skid loader compatible faceplate to fit your Massey 50E on the back side and supply a heavy duty weld-on quick attach bracket for the bucket. Price is $2975 + freight, which will probably run $200-$225 depending on where you are. It comes from HLA, a company in Canada, specs are below, if you’ll send me your e-mail address I can send a rough Cad drawing of the kit so you see what it will look like. Specifications are below:
• 5500 lbs. capacity
• Compatible to universal skid steer attachments
• Faceplate is built to mount easily in minutes
• Spring-loaded over-center lever lock
• Approximate faceplate weight is 250 lbs.
Now the bad news. Those kits take up to 9 weeks to build and ship, and they must be prepaid in full up front, including freight, at the time of order. I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but we’re required to collect upfront on special orders.
If you’d like to get the kit on order and in the build schedule, please let me know at su*****@as************.com and I’ll be glad to send you an invoice to pay with any major credit card.
Thanks!
-Mike Wiles
I have an older B7100 Kubota and use a 3in1 bucket and was thinking about putting a quick attach on so I can build a grapple and have that also as a quick latch attach. Would that be possible ?
Rob, unfortunately, probably not. We don’t offer a kit for your loader at the present time. The weight of most of the quick attach conversions that we currently offer would take up a huge percentage of the total front end loader lift capacity and not leave enough to pick up a meaningful load. One of my suppliers released a weight-relieved quick attach faceplate designed for smaller tractors a couple of years ago for some small Kubotas, and they were planning to offer it on other brands and models but they haven’t released any new applications. I’ll check to see if that’s in the plans and let you know if a quick attach for your tractor is coming. I hate to say it, but I think it’s unlikely. I’m sorry I’m not more help! -Mike Wiles
Do you have a quick attachment for a 1973 IH B3300 or know of compatible bucket? Currently running self fabricated cut from bucket mounts with weld on quick connect. I’d like to lower the weight with a factor part. Thanks!
You’re wanting a weld-on bracket or a new bucket for the 3300-style quick attach, right? I don’t think I could find a source for that. Sorry I’m no help! You might try Youngberg Ranch Supply at (417) 498-6511. If anyone knew of a source for something like that, they might. Good luck!