Quick-Attach Tanks For Versatile Tractors

Quick-Attach Tanks For Versatile Tractors SPRAYING Accessories 18-6-24 "Since I came up with this idea, two other neighbors have copied the design for their own tractors," says John Lousberg, Sterling, Colo., who designed and built quick-attach fertilizer tanks for his 1991 Ford Versatile 846 tractor. In 10 min. we can have the tanks, pump and carrier stored away for the winter. Our neighbors had mounted a 500 gal. tank on front of their Versatile and complained that they could only put 400 gal. in the tank because it would pick up the back end of the tractor. They also couldn't get to the radiator without taking the tank off and the carrier rack would get in the way of other routine maintenance jobs. After some careful planning, we came up with this quick-attach design. The tanks mount on two 12-ft. lengths of 6-in. channel iron that run under the front tractor frame. Four hangars made of plate steel mount on the side of the tractor - two on each side. They bolt to existing holes that would ordinarily be used for service ladders (plus Lousberg drilled two extra holes). Three 3/4-in. bolts hold each hangar bracket, all of which extend down below the tractor frame. A pair of 1 1/2-in. dia. steel shafts run between each pair of brackets, positioned just below frame of tractor. Each 12-ft. length of channel iron is fitted with 6-in. wide brackets made from 1/ 2-in. thick plate steel. Hooks on these brackets - also made from 1/2-in. plate steel - slip over the 1 1/2-in. dia. steel shafts running beneath the tractor. "We're looking for a manufacturer to put this idea on the market." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, John H. Lousberg, 13701 Co. Rd. 37, Sterling, Colo. 80751 (ph 303 522-0595).

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