FEL Axle Braces

[quikduk]

After talking with Rob and Larry about the lack of FEL axle braces on my ZL-30 and my worry about the stresses imposed on the transmission housing by heavy FEL work, I decided to make some similar to the Koyker type.

These are all out of 1/2" cold rolled flat bar with grade 8 hardware. The "kickers" off of the FEL rear torque tube are out of 1/2" cold rolled plate.



They have helped stabilize the entry steps and I feel better now knowing I have added some substantial bracing.

[GuglioLS]

Ken,

Your FEL braces came out looking great. You always do good work, very nice. I see you added a small piece of angle to reinforce the foot step while you were at it. IMHO this is a must have for anyone with a FEL. I think at one time you mentioned your Chinese FEL is a close Koyker "clone". I guess they forgot to clone the axle braces. This add-on should help prevent breaking your tractor in half

One question - how did you cut out the semicircle ID on the brackets attached to the torque tube?

Oh and those foot steps are much nicer than the cheesy ones that came on mine.

Larry

[3RRL]

One question - how did you cut out the semicircle ID on the brackets attached to the torque tube?
Yeah Ken, how did you do that? I remember seeing those before.

Loretta's tractor needs this mod done also. So many tractors ... so little time.

[GuglioLS]

Yeah Ken, how did you do that?

OMG

Talk about the perfect setup HaHaHa


Larry

[quikduk]

Very funny!

I originally had Rob drill out all the holes but the first set of torque tube brackets he cut out didn't fit since I messed up the measurement.

Rather than trying to mess up all of Rob's nice 3/4" dia. holes on every other piece, I got another section of 1/2" x 6" flat bar, cut it in half, layed out the "correct" pattern, stacked it and cut it out on the drill press with a bi-metal hole saw and a LOT of cutting fluid.

I then clamped the "new and better" torque tube brackets (BTW, that is code for NOT messed up) to the connecting bar and drilled the 3/4" holes partially into the steel. I then removed the parts and finished the holes on the drill press.

They do really help and they stopped my steps and floor boards from bending.