Chris, ALWAYS create a thread on a build. True wealth, is the wealth of knowledge and experience that we share, to work together.
Many years ago, I started a thread on a loader tractor I built, and I got lots of good advice from people who had totally fresh eyes on my work. I got some snide/snarky comments, I got some atta-boy's, and I got a whole lot of
Ohmigoshes, for just about any possible reason.
You'll get the same, but the cool thing is, when someone ELSE goes to do a similar project, they'll see HOW you did it, and understand WHY you did it that way, and after you've run it a bit, and found out what was good, and bad, and ugly, your continuation will prove the good, and show how the bad was rectified.
There's a whole BUNCH of things that go into building a dedicated loader-tractor. Structural integrity being paramount, but then there's balance, control, maneuverability, digging power, lifting power, control sensitivity, steering ease, and comfortable, efficient operation.
For mine, it included fully live hydraulics, power steering, and a change of the drive control (Hydrostat) from hand-lever to foot treadle, so that all operations were done with one foot on the treadle, one hand on hydraulic valve, one hand on steering wheel knob, and the remaining foot firmly planted to stabilize myself against bounces, jolts, and G-forces of operation.
I broke the front axle twice.
I bent three front spindles.
I broke the hydrostat driveline four times.
I dropped rocks on the hood, smashing the headlamps.
I found too little air in the front tires driving over piles of rocks, and every so often found a board, or some shingles, with a nail...
I found too much air between the back tires and the ground, from having more weight in the front bucket, than the rear weight box...
I had a rock go through the hydraulic pump drive belt once, and ruined the belt...
I got stuff tangled up in the rear tires and tore up the original fenders...
I had troubles starting it in cold weather due to thick engine oil, thick hydrostatic fluid, and thick hydraulic fluid...
I twisted off 3axleshafts, bent one axleshaft at the wheel flange, and shattered a differential carrier...
I blew up two engines (one was already long-in-tooth)...
And at each step, I found each weak spot, and redesigned it for considerably more strength. It is a totally different beast now, but it is a SERIOUS beast.
You'll go through the same, but I hope that as you post, the guys' comments will help you solve problems before they arise.
A well-built loader tractor can work fast... move forward and back rapidly, turn with rapid precision, lift and lower well, swiftly, smoothly, and withstand the loads applied without becoming unstable, and be predictable when carrying a load over uneven terrain.
And then there's convenience... things like chain hooks on the bucket, carrying racks for rigging, ballast boxes, tool boxes, work lighting, tire chains, a seat that doesn't hold rainwater... (I'm still workin on that last one)...
Oh, and a way to easily trailer it to a remote work location and back. This is paramount, because when friends need help, you don't want to arrive just to be faced with heavy labor... take your tractor, and be the working power of six young men.
Loader tractors make young men stronger... and keep old men young.
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just kiddin you understand,,,,,
