anyone built a FEL & backhoe for a 782
 

Searched site but got no hits on it. Just got a 782 and would like to fabricate a FEL and a small if not mini backhoe for my 782. I would like to start collecting all parts that are required, as I have a buddy that is a iron worker. I'm aware of PF engineering and am planning on ordering his plans when the money is there to complete the project. Would like to know what metal/steel I would need along with hydro pumps,cylinders and hoses.
thanks guys

Just an fyi....you can purchase a towable backhoe from Harbor Freight for around $2300-$2400.....

Cub Cadet 123

Never saw them in stores, just checked their site but for 3500.00 I think its way overprice. You can get a little mini for around 4-5k. If I was to build a backhoe I would go as small as possible, maybe like a 3ft digging depth. Hate my CLAY soil in the summer makes my back hurt planting around backyard.

Don't forget about forum member CADPlans! Check out his site at www.cadplans.com

CADplans FEL
 

I bought Cadplans FEL book and built one. It was well written and he was always ready to talk on the phone if needed. You can't go wrong with his book.

Nice work too.
I'm not financially ready to start the project but would like to know what's needed so that i can start collecting as parts and materials become available to me.

That's a very smart move! Get the drawings read them over several times before starting.:TwoCents:

Once you buy the plans it will tell you what size pump and how long the rams need to be etc. Once you have this info you can then look for good deals as you assemble all of the parts. Without knowing the sizes, volumes and lengths of parts it will be impossible to get the right parts. The steel can be found at a demolition site or from a company that no longer manufactures certain parts and needs to get rid of the extra steel that it once used. Knowing what size and how much is critical. The other thing is the steel rod and tubes that they fit into. This is how most of the hinges or pivot points are created. I had a 6 foot length of one inch rod that fit inside a tube that was about 1/4 thick walled that made up the pins and pivots for the lift arms. You simply cut each to the length required and that was it. This is why the ram ends come into play. They need to be the right size for the rod and the tube since that is how they are connected to the tractor. One area that I thought might be improved on was the reinforcement of the back side of the bucket when it is in the dozier mode. The frame attachment was fine but when you start ramming into a mound of hard clay or a root the frame really takes a beating. I would have added some form of extra back support to the bucket when it was in the full down position to better distribute the impact forces.

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