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RE: (ET) AL-40 Loader



As you can see from the back cover of the booklet, the loader was made by a company in Iowa.  I have attempted to find it with no luck - and I even have friends in the area.  I would guess its a shop that went out of business or was absorbed years ago.   So I do not know of a source for any additional information.  I have "met" one other AL-40 owner through this list.  However, I have never uncovered any more documentation of any kind.
 
The main frame is made of hollow box section, and serves not only to support, but also as the reservoir for the hydraulic oil.  The motor/pump assembly just hangs off the PTO side of the lift frame and plugs into the 36 volt high power outlet - where the mower plugs in. As mentioned on my web site, there is a semi-permanent frame under the footboards that locks onto the back end of the loader assembly, while the front of the loader frame has "bayonets" in the corners that slide into the tractor frame like the mower bumper bracket, making the loader an "easy on" assembly.  I use the term "easy on" in quotes, because the loader doesn't exactly balance by itself, and it still takes a bit of doing to strap it on.  I support the upper rear arms with 2x4s to hold it up, and I can drive under them and slide the bayonets into place.  It's a challenging 1 man job, but when mastered takes about 10 minutes.
 
 I purchased the tractor used ( I am the 3rd owner and know its whole history) many years ago.  It was equipped with the loader "since birth" - a small company purchased it to move buckets of plastic beads from one end of a pipe to the other when they flow tested custom made valve assemblies.  As a result, it was under stressed for the first several years of its life.
 
This loader is all the E-15 (or any large frame ElecTrak) can handle.  I have broken 1 spindle as a result of "plowing" while turning hard with a load in the bucket (I have a cast iron front axle).  Motor power is adequate, but traction is poor when counterbalanced by a full bucket.  I use tire chains and a weight box full of concrete blocks.  I reversed the rear wheels to increae the track for stability, and wheel weights might be a better option than a weight box.
 
If you are thinking of fabricating one, you are welcome to measure mine if you are in the area (upstate NY).  I would give serious consideration to using 36 volt linear actuators instead of hydraulic cylinders for lifting if I were to build a bucket loader from scratch.  If you have followed some of the dialog around this group on the subject, I have expressed a concern that there needs to be  synchronizing of two main arm lift actuators to prevent the lift from "racking."  A driveshaft between the two (under the tractor belly) would do so mechanically and probably could be done if designed in from the start.  The synch mechanism is designed into some actuators.  Once over that technical hurdle, I think the actuators would be far more efficient that the hydraulic over electric system used on the AL-40.  In addition, I think actuators might make for a somewhat lighter unit since the resevoir, pump and controls could be eliminated.  I would reduce the overall size of the unit somewhat too - it's just too big and heavy to handle well. 
 
Also remember that this is not a digger, just a scoop for loading.  I use mine to pick up sand from a pile (truck dumped) and load 12 cubic ft carts pulled by 4x4 ATVs for trail maintenance.  It works fine in that role.
 
Hope this is helpful.
Pieter
 
-----Original Message-----
From: kns5 [mailto:kns5 prodigy net]
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 1:13 PM
To: Pieter Litchfield
Subject: Re: (ET) AL-40 Loader

    That helps a lot but it would really help if I had some dimensions
on the main frame, and some other Pieces. Know anybody that has it?
 
Keith Stieg  Mpls, Mn.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, June 09, 2003 5:27 PM
Subject: RE: (ET) AL-40 Loader

Yes - go to my web site:
Look under "Interests" for the ElecTrak, then click on the loader link.  I have a 4 page brochure & parts list there.  If you click on each page, you should be able to get them "screen sized" and print them.  Hope this helps.
 
Pieter
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu [mailto:owner-elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu]On Behalf Of kns5
Sent: Monday, June 09, 2003 5:06 PM
To: elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
Subject: (ET) AL-40 Loader

 Hi Everyone,  
 
 Does anyone have a mechanical drawing of the loader?
 Bill Gunn doesn't ,someone must have one!
 
Keith Stieg    Mpls, MN.