Kwik Way loader
 

I picked this Kwik Way loader up 4 or 5 years ago and never got around to installing it.
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I found it at a dealer in Alabama and we made a deal. It was missing the pump and the bracket the pump mounts to but everything else was there, I think. I had the sub-frame mounted on my 1772 for 3 years but never got around to messing around with the rest of it.

I've been looking at getting a plasma cutter or an Esab Rebel welder for the last few months but figured I needed a plasma more than another welder right now. I found this one online at Welders Supply for $475 cheaper than 2 local welding stores....that is another story.:angry:
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I started working with cardboard on making a mount that I think will work. This is what I came up with to start.
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I had to subtract about 0.332" for the torch head off of the original pattern to get my original sized piece. Holy crap does this thing cut fast and clean.
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Nice work. :beerchug:

I have never used one of these before and I don't think they existed when I was in School. I cut this 1/4" thick piece out in less than a minute.
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This was my pattern I used. These are the only 2 places that the cardboard got warm enough to show signs of any heat damage:bigeyes:
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Here is what the cut looks like. I'm sure it will get better with practice.
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Here they are on the 1772. My plans are to use some 1.5" x 1/4" square tubing I had left over from a job to mount the upright supports to. It will be 20" long and go across the front so that each side can bolt to it.
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I will probably mount a removable piece of 1/4 on the front of this to protect the pump.

I guess I will need to get an order in to Surplus Center on some fittings and miscellaneous parts.

That's all for tonight.:beerchug:

Nice work Todd! You can't beat a plasma cutter for that type work!:beerchug:

It's not a perfect cut, but if it was, everyone would expect "perfect" every time.:biggrin2:
Hey, all bs aside, that's good for the first time out.:beerchug:
So this is the legendary Kwik Way I've heard about. Glad to see you'll get it mounted...:beerchug:

Lookin good Buddy!:beerchug:

Your 1772 will be a nice tractor to operate that loader! Nice work! :beerchug: :popcorn:

Thanks guys. I hope it comes in handy pulling all the non-running Cubs out of the chicken barn.:biggrin2:

Very nice addition. As you use the plasma cutter more, you will notice yourself becoming smoother. It's a practice thing. :beerchug:

Still looks fine though

Congrats on the new toy, err I mean tool. I have had the same plasma cutter for a few years just and wish I had bought it sooner than I did. It is a real time saver and with some practice you will get much better at using it. I have successfully cut 1/2 inch material with mine, Hypertherm claims you can cut 5/8 but I have not tried yet. To help insure clean dry air I mounted a water separator/regulator directly to the air inlet on mine. I think you will really enjoy using it on your future projects.
Tom

Wow....a new and greatly improved "firewrench"! Nice! I guess torches r a thing of the past. Looks fun.

That new fangled firewrench not only works on steel but stainless steel, aluminum, brass and copper too

Todd, with all those supers, I can't believe you haven't played with that loader yet. But... .with the 'Bota, you don't need it. :biggrin2:

Nice work on the brackets, and congrats on the new tool. Plasma cutters are nice. Like Jeff said, works on anything that will conduct, so very useful.

What pump did you grab?

Nice condition Kwik Way FL you got there Todd!

Hypertherm are made in New Hampshire, I know guys who can made laser quality cut with the same machine you buy! You just starting having fun with it, don't worry the more you use it the more you get skilled.

Congratulation for your purchase and the great project! :ThumbsUp:

Thanks guys, this thing is really cool to use. I looked at the Miller 625 but everything I read on other forums or watched on YouTube led me to the Hypertherm.

J-Mech, I screwed up and didn't get a FEL when I got my Bota new in 2001. I've kicked myself a bunch of times over the years why I didn't and I've even looked for used ones but they seem way over priced now.

The pump. When I picked the Kwik Way up I did some research and I found that a lot of people were using the Northern Tool #10566 and it has been on the shelf almost as long as the loader has been in the yard.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...9706_200329706
So, that is the pump I have and I hope it works for me. Any thoughts on the pump?

what is it you liked about the hypertherm instead of the miller 625? i got a borrowed 625 in the shop and I think it works real well. Just curious what the differences are?

Okay, almost 4 months later and it's kind of complete. It could use a good paint job but I'm done painting outside until my new shop is complete but that's another story.:angry:

Here it is. The pump and pump mount were missing when I picked this thing up a few years ago so I had to fabricate a new one. I'm thinking I will add a grille guard to match the contour of the 82 series grille but that will be later as time permits. I used it for about an hour today and it works pretty good. As always, if I screwed up with something, let me know.

Thanks for all pointers I got from the gang at OCC.:beerchug:

Time to start the next project.:bigthink:

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Looking good! :ThumbsUp:

Just fill the rear tires and add enough wheel weight to keep your butt hole at low sea level! :biggrin2:

Looks damn good from here Todd. :beerchug:

Looking good in the south. Are you still able to check the engine oil?

I think it looks great! Pump mount turned out great too. Ya might throw a grommet on the hole where the hose goes through the mount while you have it off to paint. But probably wouldn't have to have it.






Randy

Looking Good! I am gong to have to find one of those sometime.

Bob

Todd, that looks awesome! Good job! :beerchug:

Good job Todd.:beerchug:
"Good things, come to those who wait".:bigthink: Hope it works good for you!:beerchug:

Looks great Todd! :beerchug:

Great looking FEL Todd. Bet it feels good to have it done after all this time.

Hey! Nice loader set up on da smoka!!! :beerchug:

Very Nice Todd!!:biggrin2: Clean looking mount and install!:beerchug:

That loader looks righteous bro heem. And I don't like loaders but you did a good job!

Thanks all! I've been mocking up some cardboard for a grille guard...more to come.:biggrin2: