Home-Built Telescopic Loader

Home-Built Telescopic Loader TRACTORS Loaders 29-2-40 Steve Rapko of Selkirk, Manitoba loves the home-built telescoping loader boom he built from a couple old combines. "It makes quick work of jobs around the farm and yard," he says. Rapko explains that the drive wheels, axles and transmissions were taken from a self-propelled Allis Chalmers 100 combine. He narrowed up the axles, which are powered by a Hercules gas engine and power steering taken from a Deere 65 combine. "I made two buckets for this unit û a large, 7-ft. wide one for snow, and a smaller, 5-ft. one for digging and leveling. I also have fork attachments," Rapko says. "The telescoping boom extends 5 ft. and can lift to 11 1/2 ft. high. It can handle about 2,000 lbs." A hydrostatic pump mounts on back of the Hercules motor. It drives a hydrostatic motor that's coupled to the end of the transmission. Once a gear is selected on the transmission, a single lever controls the variable speed, plus forward and reverse movement. According to Rapko, the operator also has the option of using foot pedals instead of the hand lever. The boom and bucket are both controlled by a single joystick. A power steering cylinder steers the rear wheels. Using swing-out hinges for better access, Rapko placed the fuel and hydraulic oil tanks on the sides of the engine at the back. This also adds weight to the rear of the tractor for heavy lifting. The boom slides in and out on 3/4-in. Teflon plates. They're far superior to greasing. "Heat from the engines helps to warm the hydraulic oil in cold weather," he points out. "Loading and unloading is made easy and safe by bringing the loader into position, then lifting and maneuvering the load with the telescoping boom. I don't know how we'd get by without it now." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Steve Rapko, Group 318, Box 1, R.R.#3, Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada R1A 2A8 (ph 204 757-2542).

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