Another Farmer Engineering Project.

[PHPaul]

I have a pull-behind lawn roller I made out of a 100# propane tank. It's okay, but even full of water, there's not a lot of weight there.

I got to thinking (which rarely ends well... ) that if I mounted it to a QA plate, I could use the weight of the tractor.

I chose to bolt it to the plate vs. welding it as A) I wasn't sure it would work and wanted to be able to reuse the plate for my next hare-brained scheme, and B) there will be times when towing it makes more sense, so I can unbolt it and bolt on a tow hitch.

The loader hydraulics easily pick up the front of the tractor, which puts something like half the weight of the tractor on the roller. Works MUCH better. There is some concern about bending the rods on the curl cylinders, so the less stick-out the better but I really don't think it will be a major issue.

There's also the benefit of the QA. Drop the bucket, pick up the roller, do the job, switch back. Easy-peasy.

NOTE: The roller appears to be off center, but due to the shape of the tank and the way I welded the axles on it, the rolling surface is centered on the QA plate.

 

[Oleracer]

Lo

I have a pull-behind lawn roller I made out of a 100# propane tank. It's okay, but even full of water, there's not a lot of weight there.

I got to thinking (which rarely ends well... ) that if I mounted it to a QA plate, I could use the weight of the tractor.

View attachment 140926

I chose to bolt it to the plate vs. welding it as A) I wasn't sure it would work and wanted to be able to reuse the plate for my next hare-brained scheme, and B) there will be times when towing it makes more sense, so I can unbolt it and bolt on a tow hitch.

View attachment 140927

The loader hydraulics easily pick up the front of the tractor, which puts something like half the weight of the tractor on the roller. Works MUCH better. There is some concern about bending the rods on the curl cylinders, so the less stick-out the better but I really don't think it will be a major issue.

There's also the benefit of the QA. Drop the bucket, pick up the roller, do the job, switch back. Easy-peasy.

NOTE: The roller appears to be off center, but due to the shape of the tank and the way I welded the axles on it, the rolling surface is centered on the QA plate.

Looks good

 

[The Evil Twin]

Crazy enough it just might work!
The extended curl cylinders are a concern though. Maybe less stress going in reverse.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Works if you always want to roll straight ahead.

 

[PHPaul]

Works if you always want to roll straight ahead.

True, but that's why I retained the option of putting a hitch back on it. For small patch jobs like shown (filling in after removing a tree and stump) the extra weight outweighs (see what I did there?) maneuverability.

Also, @ The Evil Twin, it never occurred to me to roll in forward, MUCH easier to see in reverse.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Works if you always want to roll straight ahead.

Well according to the Kubota engineering department, I could use my brakes to steer.....when I grow another right leg.

 

[Old Machinist]

I have a pull-behind lawn roller I made out of a 100# propane tank. It's okay, but even full of water, there's not a lot of weight there.

I got to thinking (which rarely ends well... ) that if I mounted it to a QA plate, I could use the weight of the tractor.

View attachment 140926

I chose to bolt it to the plate vs. welding it as A) I wasn't sure it would work and wanted to be able to reuse the plate for my next hare-brained scheme, and B) there will be times when towing it makes more sense, so I can unbolt it and bolt on a tow hitch.

View attachment 140927

The loader hydraulics easily pick up the front of the tractor, which puts something like half the weight of the tractor on the roller. Works MUCH better. There is some concern about bending the rods on the curl cylinders, so the less stick-out the better but I really don't think it will be a major issue.

There's also the benefit of the QA. Drop the bucket, pick up the roller, do the job, switch back. Easy-peasy.

NOTE: The roller appears to be off center, but due to the shape of the tank and the way I welded the axles on it, the rolling surface is centered on the QA plate.

Did the QA plate fit correctly and do you have a link to it?

I've been looking at some on eBay but some of the measurements given don't match my LA535 loader QA.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Did the QA plate fit correctly and do you have a link to it?

I've been looking at some on eBay but some of the measurements given don't match my LA535 loader QA.

All standard SSQA plates are the same dimensions.
They just come in different thicknesses.
There is non standard size plates for dingo and other mini uses.

 

[PHPaul]

Did the QA plate fit correctly and do you have a link to it?

I've been looking at some on eBay but some of the measurements given don't match my LA535 loader QA.

It does and I got mine here. "Free" shipping included in the price which makes the price even more attractive.

 

[Old Machinist]

It does and I got mine here. "Free" shipping included in the price which makes the price even more attractive.

Thanks

 

[GreensvilleJay]

https://www.amazon.ca/Titan-Attachments-Universal-Attachment-Tractors/dp/B00PHJFQYE/ref=sr_1_4?crid=TQSW1BO8DYLJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CpwUKdrR6YYWH5hkbEQ6Vv_Zoxf_YTMGHmI4imDs_lUkRtNSLnMilspDxEoV51GSZ_UWYdZf6SCY3BZI8QH07A.hDdhaZmKb-oAFiaUpO8qO4j9uOodte_4jleX3q2b51Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=ssqa+plate&qid=1735997472&sprefix=ssqa+plate%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-4

yeah for giggles I checked amazon.ca......
Just a small price difference ??

 

[Old Machinist]

All standard SSQA plates are the same dimensions.
They just come in different thicknesses.
There is non standard size plates for dingo and other mini uses.

In a perfect world with consistent quality control standards that would be the case. This is not the world we live in.

Read the first page of reviews from the OP's link sorted by most recent.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

In a perfect world with consistent quality control standards that would be the case. This is not the world we live in.

Read the first page of reviews from the OP's link sorted by most recent.

I "believe" people's reviews are like "the world is flat" and "a million russian, and chinese women want to marry me".

 

[drygulch]

I got mine here. "Free" shipping included in the price which makes the price even more attractive.

Thanks for the link PHPaul. I've been considering fabbing a SSQA truss boom. At that price, I can handle a little re-fab if the dimensions aren't perfect.

Greg

 

[D2Cat]

Thanks for the link PHPaul. I've been considering fabbing a SSQA truss boom. At that price, I can handle a little re-fab if the dimensions aren't perfect.

Greg

If you choose to buy THAT attachment plate there is a $10 coupon you check and get that off.

 

[Old Machinist]

There are a couple eBay ads for cheaper 3/8" plates also. BUT the measurements they provide are not consistent so I would be careful and look at those. I have one measurement page printed out to compare to my loader that I think is going to be close for about $121. I am probably going to buy that one if it checks out. I already checked two others that were not close on one measurement or the other. I won't bother linking eBay ads because they go away and change too often but they can be found with the advanced search tool there.

 

[D2Cat]

If you find something on Ebay you can use, but not in a huge hurry you can mark it in your "watch" list and leave it. A few day later the seller will often send you an email offering a discount of 5 or 10%. Just my experience.

 

[drygulch]

If you find something on Ebay you can use, but not in a huge hurry you can mark it in your "watch" list and leave it. A few day later the seller will often send you an email offering a discount of 5 or 10%. Just my experience.

I like this strategy and use it sometimes. It's also surprising how many listings I run across that provide the "Make Offer" option. Haggle room varies widely in my experience.

Greg