Homemade Front End Loader Made for Lawn Mower Build Details

We had several questions on our last video on the loader so we made a video over the complete build. We give you the measurements so at least you will have a starting point if your planning on building one. If you have anymore questions or advice leave us a comment and we will help anyway we can. Please like and subscribe and thanks for watching
Artwork in video done by Jeff Slemons
Go give him a shout and let him Toon up your Ride!!!
jeffslemons.com/
Let him know we sent you

[@floydbarbour5098]

It might have been two years ago when you made this but it was very helpful to me thank you very much

[@NSBCustomCars]

Dang, Two years!! Man time flies when your having fun I guess...lol We have plans on building a bigger one when we can. You are very welcome and thanks for watching!!!

[@ngzcaz]

You and my 84 year old brother should get together.. he put a 389 ci Pontiac engine in a 1931 Cletc Track after being told it couldn't be done.. Good job.

[@NSBCustomCars]

It's sound like Dean and your brother would get along great!! If there's a will, there is always a way. Thanks for watching!!

[@wendellmoore3285]

Thank you sir ,you did a great job and told all we need to know ,, I also have a 1554, 185, and 1050, cub and a 46 huskvarna ,, thank you very much, I'm 61, retired now,,

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thank you we do appreciate it!!! Enjoy that retirement!!!!

[@johnpyle8027]

I decided I needed a setup like this before I even had the tractor. I've seen these on smaller tractors and didn't want to mess with the Hydraulics. as a teenager I had a lot of experience every summer mowing with John Deere 318s at an amusement park. That is the original platform I started looking for and none were quite right. Eventually I found and bought a 1894 John Deere 430 diesel. Already has Hydraulics front and rear and 3 point on the rear and 6 GPM flow. I completely restored it last winter and built a box blade and plow. This winter I am building a FEL. I bought plans from PF engineering and will modify them since mine will need to be a bit longer. The 430 weighs 1182 lbs alone and has 1" axles. It will have a 54" bucket. My loader arms will be 2x4 3/16 and pretty big 3/16 plates covering where the angles are. The frame sits forward on mine and I will be able to run angle across the top and run maybe 2x2 struts back to the uprights. It has 26x12x12 AG tires. This summer I cleaned out a tree line, about 30 trees removed and a lot trimmed. Not all fell being in a tree line and I hooked a 30' strap to the stump end while still standing but cut through and pulled them off the stump and just kept going up to my wood/burn/cut pile. Some of the trees were 10+" and the diesel never even grunted. I see these smaller tractors and am amazed! I cant wait to get one on a little heavier tractor. This thing is becoming addictive!!!

[@NSBCustomCars]

Right on man, You sound like a man with a plan. When you get if done we would love to see it. Thanks for watching and good luck and have a great new year!!

[@heroesandzeros7802]

I have a front loader attachment if anyone is interested. Comes with Hydraulic cylinders, hoses, and 12V pump. Can be re-fitted for practically anything. Can be re-fitted to be installed on the rear of a Zero Turn for stability and traction. I also have a 3' bucket, a 4' bucket, a tree shear, and a log spliter that attach to the front loader carriage. Sold separately.

[@callsigngraves5491]

Man you are amazing! I’m a diesel mechanic in training and needs front end load for ripping engines out and etc. you just saved me a few thousand dollars my friend thank you

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thank man!! We do appreciate it and we're glad it helped you out. Lets us know what you build we would love to see it.

[@MrJamesp2994]

I love that you are giving all the details and issues that you run into. Thank you so much. I'm sure that after some trial and error and LOTS of Tylenol others would figure it out, but we don't need to now because you are letting us know beforehand.

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thanks man!!! We are planning on building another one of these in the near future. Just a little bit bigger. 2.0 incoming...

[@MrJamesp2994]

@@NSBCustomCars any chance for a diesel build? Considering doing that myself. Maybe a little 3cyl Kubota from one of those worn out truck apu's that I've found really cheap on flea-bay.

[@NSBCustomCars]

If we can find the right one, yes. We are always on the look out for projects. If you build one let us know, we would love to see it.

[@1966roadking]

Awesome, you simplified the hydraulic system very well very nice build!

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thank you and Thanks for watching!! As of right now she is still trucking, We did have one pump failure but it was our fault for not watching what we were doing!!

[@johnscott2600]

Definitely a great build. It’ll be worth your time also to upgrade your front spindles to a 1in diameter to help with the front end and wear and tear

[@NSBCustomCars]

They have been holding on for dear life but so far no issues... We like to live dangerously!! Thanks for watching.

[@curtissheppard1996]

Thank you for showing measurements.

[@NSBCustomCars]

And thank you for watching!!!

[@danadams3465]

Great video about the placement of the pump!

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thanks bud, It has been working out so far.

[@brianvassar2556]

@@NSBCustomCars where did you get the pump

[@NSBCustomCars]

@@brianvassar2556 I was one we had laying around, (It's for one of the hydraulic tire changers we work on). It's just a standard shaft driven pump. You can get them a Grainger or I believe I've seen them at Tractor Supply. If you need more info let me know and I can point you in the right direction.

[@P.Trim69]

yes sir nice job

[@stuartkorte1642]

Looks like we live in the same neck of the woods. Very nice explanation of your build. Thanks.

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thanks for Watching!!! We are from Tennessee but live down in Florida now. Still go back and forth.

[@Destroyer1320]

Brilliant idea thanks for sharing!

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thanks man, We are planning on building a bigger one coming up. Thanks for watching!!

[@Paiadakine]

Thanks for the details.

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thanks for watching!!

[@hotrodpawns]

Pure awesome engineering.

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thanks!!!

[@mattgray815]

Awesome build man!! Definitely enjoy your youtube videos. Thanks for explaining how you built your front loader looks awesome plus if something goes wrong its easy to figure out how to fix it than going through a companies customer service. Didn't know what were the diameters on the bucket, which cylinder you got at tractor supply. I got a JD 317 I'm thinking of building a front end loader for to make work at the farm a bit more easier for my dad than messing up his back.

[@60Oldfart]

I plan to convert mine to hydraulic this coming summer

[@davetincher5141]

Thank you this answered a lot of questions

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thanks for watching, If we can get some spare time we are planning on building another one!!

[@davesire-qq6dr]

Do you think a log splitter 2 speed pump would work? I wonder if it would work the same way fast when not under load and slow when under load.

[@boatbuilder1954]

Thanks so much for all this information!

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thank you and thanks for watching!!! We are planning on doing another one when we get some time!!

[@boatbuilder1954]

@@NSBCustomCars ok great I will subscribe thanks. I love watching machine building and fabricating and a person that know what he is doing👍

[@kylejolda2170]

Thats awesome i have always wanted too build one.

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thanks for watching!! What"s stopping you??? Have to say it does come in handy.

[@pepablachek1317]

Do you sell them

[@01Autentic]

Good job 🚹!! Cheers from Romania! I want to make something like this, for myself. Now I searched on yt to see what I could make.

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thanks!!! We may have another build coming one day!! Go for it and if you have any questions let us know.

[@sambosfishingoutdooradvent7684]

Nice Front end loader build!! I saw your comment on my channel. Great explanation on how to add a hydraulic system to your riding lawnmower!! I have subscribed.

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thanks for the sub!

[@Couch_engineer]

Great job man

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thank you, We have another one in the works just got to find the time!! Thanks again for watching!!

[@guyina4x499]

If you can bust a pump by holding the valve? You need to adjust your pressure relief valve. Or add one if you don't have one.

[@NSBCustomCars]

It wasn't under load when it blew apart but that is a good idea on the relief valve. Thanks for watching!!

[@alphonsotate2982]

GREAT JOB IN THE FUTURE IF YOU WANT IT FASTER PUT ON A HIGHER FLOW PUMP AND A LARGER LINE BACK TO THE HYDRAULIC TANK ALSO ADD A HYDRAULIC FILTER THE INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE TO PUT IT IS ON LINE

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thanks for the Advice, I did some research on pumps and we started with a pump we just had on hand from work. When that one broke I was going to go up in gpm but I was worried if I went up to much we would have to make the tank bigger. Since we have limited space we just decided that it being slow was fine for what we are doing with it. Again Thanks for watching!! We may be building another one soon so stay tuned.

[@jessehanna3890]

I made something similar with 12v electric hydraulic cylinders (each cylinder has its own electric motor pump and reservoir) and winch solenoids and I didn't have to remove the mower, but they're slower. The funny part is I used a cub cadet SLTX 1054VT the only difference I can tell is it has a Briggs 26hp engine.

[@NSBCustomCars]

I have seen those electric cylinders and wonders how they work!! Ours is still running strong and have not had any major issues except we did have a pump crack on us. Thanks for watching and do you have any videos of the one you made??

[@jessehanna3890]

@@NSBCustomCars no videos yet it's not finished yet but the loader does work and its usable at the moment but I got a 1" transaxle I want to swap too and a three point hitch and counterweight system I want to work on. Once I'm all finished I'll post a video of it working.

[@martinadams6067]

Nice job. I'm jealous 😂

[@NSBCustomCars]

Break the welder out and join the homemade front end loader club... lol Thanks for watching!!!

[@larrydering1598]

Awesome build and great explanation. I love metal fabrication and ingenuity. I probably won't go into the build since I own a small Kubota L2900 with a loader. My concern is the front end of these mowers are crap and need serious beefed up for strength. Plus the frame is not that strong. My Cub Cadet has already lost the transaxle, just no power and needs rebuilding. Old Cubs were great.

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thanks man, Believe it or not this thing is still going strong. The front end's are the weak link for sure. Thanks for watching!!!

[@timurmurzabekov3821]

Good 🚜👍

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thanks for watching!!

[@60Oldfart]

how many gallon per minute is that pump? looks like it 's a bit slow for hydraulic but its looks nice

[@NSBCustomCars]

It's pretty low, I can't remember for sure off hand but it was around 6 ish I believe... It does move slow but if we upped the GPM you have to have a bigger tank and we are limited on space so it's kind of a give and take!! Thanks for watching!@!

[@chadhaulbrook9339]

I have look high and low for a way to do thus. I have a John Deere 240 with a vertical shaft engine. Everyone said that it couldn't be done. I'm a welder fabricator and you don't tell us that! Love your build! Any suggestions before I dive in? I'm struggling with what size pump to use and do the controls have built in pressure relief valves or do I have to install that separately?

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thanks for watching man!! As far as pump size it depends on the size of cylinders and your reservoir. The more gpm the faster it will move but you have to have a bigger reservoir to supply it. We were limited on space so ours is a little slow. I will try to get you the gpm off of ours if I can find it. The valve we used does have a built in regulator ( We need to install another one and bring it down to around 1500psi)but that just depends on the valve you buy. The pump and the valve we are using came off of a Coats Heavy Duty tire changer... Only thing we had to buy for this was the cylinders and hoses, everything else we made out of parts we had laying around. Thanks again for watching and if you have any other questions let us know!!

[@motorman12043]

I love you FEL! I have a question though. Are you afraid of damaging the pump with it being under the tractor? I didn't see anything there to protect it. I am NOT trying to degrade the build! It is awesome. I am looking at building 1 for my Craftsman GT6000 with high/low range.

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thanks for watching!!! The pump is tucked up in there pretty good and we are not using it in rough terrain so we don't think it will be an issue. Good luck with your Craftsman!!! We have a Craftsman here that we are going to build a front end loader for but it's going to be down the road a bit.

[@gabrielshirk]

What are those net things going half way up the garage door? Does that allow you to open the door half way and stop bugs from coming in?

[@NSBCustomCars]

Yes sir!! Bugs down here in good ole Florida are relentless. We made them out of a trampoline enclosure that we used to have. It works pretty good!!!

[@kevinmason9783]

Great video, i have a 69 sears suburban 12 and an early 70s ss 16, also a mid 60s t16 homelite. I will be building one of these for mine. Thanks for the valuable info.

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thanks for watching and good luck with your build!!!

[@robertdelaney5994]

l made my own set-up my kubota 4x4 18hp tractor. wheel done repurchasing the steel you used .

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thanks bud!!

[@67JD110]

Awesome build man!!!! What gpm would you recommend to have a good mixture of speed and power? Thanks

[@NSBCustomCars]

Ours is around 280gpm and It's a little slow but we can't go up because of the size of our tank. So it just depends on how much fluid you have in your tank. Not sure of how much power difference between a faster running pump would be. We maybe building another one of these and It should have a little more room so we will bump up the gpm and see what happens.

[@RadikGari]

👍👍👍

[@NSBCustomCars]

Thanks for watching!!

[@johnross9266]

Awesome design and build. Really helping me get mine together. Could you provide a link to the hydraulic cylinders you used? Also looking for dimensions on the bucket. Depth and height. Thanks

[@NSBCustomCars]

I have been out of town for the last week... I will try and get this info to you asap...

[@johnross9266]

@@NSBCustomCars thanks

[@NSBCustomCars]

@@johnross9266 We bought the two for the bucket off of amazon. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BGZAWYM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The shipping is about as much as the cylinders but they are working out fine. The other two we got from Tractor Supply Co. Dean left the loader in Tennessee and I have misplaced the dim's we had written down. We will be going back up soon and I will get you bucket dim's then.

[@johnross9266]

@@NSBCustomCars no rush. Thanks so much

[@johnross9266]

@@NSBCustomCars What size bolts did you use for the hydraulic cylinder connection? I just got the cylinder and they use a 1" pin. Just wandering what u used on yours.

[@gotdeeres]

The fulcrum point is the front axle, not the point where the loader attaches to the tractor frame. A lawn mower front axle and frame is not designed for all of the extra load and stress of a loader. The transmission will not last very long as it is not designed for the extra load.

[@NSBCustomCars]

I know we are pushing this thing but we just wanted something to be a little bit of a back reliever. It's been going strong for almost a year now and we did break a pump but other than that its been great.

[@elfegosolis8571]

Are you using normal tire pressure in front..

[@NSBCustomCars]

Yes, haven't had an issue yet. Thanks for watching!!!

[@smca7271]

great build pressure relief would save your pump next time

[@NSBCustomCars]

That's probably a very good idea!!! Thanks for watching!!!

[@realJacobLane]

What did you do with the hydraulics? Did you add a pump? I'm looking to do the same, and I don't want to use electric cylinders.

[@NSBCustomCars]

We installed a pump right under the motor that runs directly off the crank

[@realJacobLane]

@@NSBCustomCars What pump did you use?

[@NSBCustomCars]

@@realJacobLane It's one that come off an heavy duty tire changer, you can find them at northern tool just type in hydraulic pump. You just need to remember the more gpm the more oil you will need(so you don't run the tank dry). more gpm the faster it will run.

[@realJacobLane]

@@NSBCustomCars Awesome, thanks for the info. Was it hard to install?

[@NSBCustomCars]

@@realJacobLane Getting the alignment is a little tricky, remember measure 10 times and cut or drill once...lol

[@compdman12]

So I watched both of the video's for your front end loader build. It looks great. What if you added an extended rear frame and a second rear end then made a dump bed or a flat bed on the back. It would look cool as all H..., and also give you a little more weight on the rear end. Dave V.

[@NSBCustomCars]

Great Idea!! We are working on idea's for a dump trailer but it's not for the little one. The tires and axles are our weak points and we are not sure how much more they can handle. Thanks for watching

[@rogerzetterlund3297]

Is it a Open hydralic system ?

[@NSBCustomCars]

Yes sir!!

[@tofastchevelle]

How many gallons should the hydraulic tank be?

[@NSBCustomCars]

Ours holds about half a gallon (with the lines and cylinders full) but It really all depends on the GPM of your pump. If I remember correctly ours runs 2.8 GPM and we have no issues with the small tank. Thanks for watching and if you have anymore questions let us know.

[@genesloan3175]

Any steering issues when bucket is loaded?

[@NSBCustomCars]

It's not too bad as long as your moving. We have been careful and have not had any issues.

[@cc123456789]

how many hp is your engine?

[@NSBCustomCars]

Its an 18 hp Briggs

[@cheterrazas3932]

Do you have a supply list?

[@NSBCustomCars]

No most of this stuff is just metal we had laying around. We are planning on doing another one of a bigger tractor and we will try getting a list together of everything.

[@rogermorrill4700]

The front wheel bearings are just a nylon bushings

[@NSBCustomCars]

And we are putting them to the test...lol It's been kind of fun just seeing how far we can take it.

[@stevesalinas9508]

Impressive build. I had a cub cadet 1045 or 1050 and as I recall the frame was none too thick. All the weight of your loader is on the bolts that go through the holes that previously held up the mower deck , and the stabilizer bars welded to the frame near the engine? Is that strong enough without reinforcing the frame walls? I'd agree the front spindles are a weak point, aren't the bushings plastic? Great job again.

[@NSBCustomCars]

We have been keeping an eye on everything and so far so good. With the main cross piece and the plate that holds the pump it stiffened up the frame quite a bit. We just use it for carrying stuff around and small jobs and it's working out great. I will have to check on the front bushings, if they are indeed plastic we may have to do something with that!! Thanks for watching!!

[@robconnect2]

Hydraulic filter oil filter?

[@NSBCustomCars]

We don't need a filter where we are going....lol Its such a small system we didn't install one but we have plans to do so in the near future.

[@jackman6256]

sound would be real helpful

[@NSBCustomCars]

Is the audio not playing??? I just watched and it was working.

[@TEXAS-SMITH]

@@NSBCustomCars I can hear it fine in Sept. 2022. I think sometimes the sound won't play because of KZbin. Thank you for this video. I can't afford a real one at this time so this is the next best option. WHEN I make my attempt at this I will certainly document it best I can and report back. I have to begin collecting a lot of the parts first. Like you, I don't need it for full time super heavy duty year round use. Just need to spread a pile of dirt left here by the previous owner and forks to take things off of my personal trailer every now and then. I have a tool box I got at auction right now that I can't even tilt with my shoulder on the flatbed. No way I can think of to get it off. I guess it will be there until I make this happen. I will subscribe now.

[@NSBCustomCars]

@@TEXAS-SMITH Thanks for watching, This thing is still kicking!! We hope to build another one when we get some time. We would love to see your build so get back with us!!!

[@JA-gf6zl]

It works?

[@NSBCustomCars]

It's a little slow and It's not going to move a mountain but for small stuff around the house it works great. We do a lot of car stuff so instead of killing our backs picking up a rear end we grab the little loader.... Thanks for watching!!

[@JA-gf6zl]

Ok thanks

[@owentimo]

No sound…

[@NSBCustomCars]

The sound is playing for me??? Might be a youtube issue?? Sorry I will check into it!!