I have some documentation of a unit made specifically for the ET at: http://www.plitch.com/loader1.htm
I have one mounted on an E-15 and it does work.
Things I'd think about:
For trail work and other non-lawn applications, I'd want a bucket that lifted high enough to dump into a cart or wagon (4 ft?). Some "buckets" simply lift a foot or two for moving stuff around the yard. Not too useful if you are loading wagons. I use my e15 to load large fat tired wagons behind ATVs to haul fill along a trail. Works great, but it does require a fair amount of lift.
I'd think about using 36volt heavy duty electrical linear actuators to raise and lower the bucket. On mine the electric pump for the hydraulics is controlled by the PTO switch, and uses a lot of power when not actually raising or lowering the bucket.
Mine is easily removable, which is nice.
It is a bit too much weight for the ET - should be lighter and perhaps smaller.
It causes traction problems even with a weight box and tire chains. I have to operate on a smooth level dirt area for transfer loading.
From: Konstanty, Walter (GE Energy Services) [mailto:Walter Konstanty ge com]
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 3:38 PM
To: stupidemail5 lycos com; JAKrug eba-d com
Cc: elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
Subject: Re: (ET) Of loaders and other lunacy
Interesting… from the Swisher site, it appears to be able to mount on the front snowblower bracket almost as-is or with minor pieces made in a “U” shape to go on the round bar and secure with pins.
For the price, it appears to be a good choice. Would not recommend using the standard lift unit but upgrade to an ATV winch on front.
Has anyone mounted a Swisher unit?
…Walt
From: stupidemail5 lycos com [mailto:stupidemail5 lycos com]
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 3:25 PM
To: JAKrug eba-d com
Cc: elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
Subject: Re: (ET) Of loaders and other lunacy
Yeah, I think it will work, front mount should be easy, rear a bit more interesting. Purpose of the tractor has really changed, was for lawn work when purchased, now for trail woods work, mobile work station, snow work.
I am North of Boston, Cape Ann
K
On Mar 24, 2011, Krug ,Jeff A. <JAKrug eba-d com> wrote:
Hello Keith
I have had the same thought, but have not implemented it.
I went as far as measuring the bucket mount in the store and taking pictures to try and figure how to mount it on my under the tractor plow frame.C185 It looked close.
I abandoned the project and rented a full sized tractor with buck for 3 days.
It would still be nice to have a small bucket.
Please post some pictures of what you come up with.
What part of Ma
Jeff from CT
List has been quiet this week
I think I am going to go over to tractor supply and buy a swisher bucket and start welding a mount.
unless someone has a loader hanging around that they just need to part with.......thought there was a guy in Maine that had a bunch of ET's one with maybe a loader, or was it a forklift, can't remember, something rare.
So if anyone local[I am in Mass] has a spare implement mount I would be interested, I might try to hand it on the back , maybe use it as ballast in the winter
Talking to the guy at Mastranzi's, he said he thought there were a couple of other ET's on Cape Ann, didn't know if they were on the list.
I haven't seen any chainsaws come up for sale, so I bought a new 120 volt one and think I will pick up a harbor freight inverter and run it off a spare pair of batteries. Guess that means I will need to weld up a good weight box. Figure the inverter is a good investment since then I can run anything.
Its that wierd time of year, do I take the snowblower off, it is the end of March....but it is snowing today........
probably post this to the web site too
Keith
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