6x6 Front End Loader

[sbalder]

First post here. I picked up a really nice Max II the other day and it's my first experience with 6x6's and ATVs. I have 9 acres of woods and wetlands in Michigan bought this to explore the property with and to perform different tasks such as plowing snow (got a plow from the prior owner). What I really want to do though is put a small capacity front-end loader on it with a 3-in-1 bucket. My thought is to use 12-volt hydraulic powerpacks for simplicity and mount the whole thing on a detachable plate to the back/frame of the Max.

Since there are a lot of people on this forum who have lived the whole aatv history, has anyone ever done this or did any manufacturer ever offer this as an attachment?

[ygmir]

I can imagine a host of engineering problems with this.....
leverage, max lift related to max load on front of AATV, and others. seems a neat idea, but, even a small bucket full of mud can weight a lot.

Keep us informed, please.

Henry

[tlp]

First post here. I picked up a really nice Max II the other day and it's my first experience with 6x6's and ATVs. I have 9 acres of woods and wetlands in Michigan bought this to explore the property with and to perform different tasks such as plowing snow (got a plow from the prior owner). What I really want to do though is put a small capacity front-end loader on it with a 3-in-1 bucket. My thought is to use 12-volt hydraulic powerpacks for simplicity and mount the whole thing on a detachable plate to the back/frame of the Max.

Since there are a lot of people on this forum who have lived the whole aatv history, has anyone ever done this or did any manufacturer ever offer this as an attachment?

Where in Michigan are you located I'm in muskegon michigan. small loader would be cool
tlp

[JRP3]

I thought I saw a brochure somewhere that showed a loader or digging bucket attachment on a 6x6 but maybe I imagined it. Maybe look through the brochure section on this site.

[LarryW]

Also curious, Where is michigan are you? Im from Vicksburg, just south of Kalamazoo.

I saw a photo of I believe it was a trail boss with a loader. All custom. It had these outriggers with wheels that stuck out the front. It look extremely goofy and the hole attachment was like the same length as the aatv.
Larry

[Mike]

It was a picture someone found and posted in the gallery of an Argo with a backhoe attachment:

[JRP3]

Yeah, that's it, I knew I wasn't dreaming

[Rock Doctor]

It was a picture someone found and posted in the gallery of an Argo with a backhoe attachment:

NOW THAT is something I could really use, Anyone know anything about it?

[sbalder]

It's been a few days since I checked this post- thank for the replies and the picture! I'm in the Brighton area in Michigan and this time of year a large part of my property is swampy wetlands. I have found that the combination of swamp and downed trees are the limiting factor for the Max- either I get hung on the tree trunks and beach the machine or I don't have enough "oomph" to drive over the tree trunk and just dig a deeper hole in the mud. So I'm going to lay out a few trails and use the chainsaw and winch to make sure there's in my way.

Regarding the loader it is encouraging to know that at least one other person in history has attempted this. Whenever I come up with an idea that I can't find any info on I figure the idea is either truly innovative or some idiot already tried it and is lying face down in their garage! Depending on how I valve and power this thing I'm hoping to make it happen for less than $1000 with all new parts and purchased steel.

[650ARGOINIOWA]

like the idea!

not really related to this but i'm interested in mounting a lawn mower on the front of my Frontier 650.i'm new here i have seen a picture with one mounted on the frontbut can't find it again

[salamander]

obviously it can be done...

[salamander]

While a hoe would be great,

I'd be happy with a small front loading bucket that would work with the Argo snowplow mounts and your existing winch. Thats an Argo accessory waiting to happen.

[LarryW]

That pretty cool but I dont see how you could dig much. I mean the little weight of the atv or aatv would be picked up before the shovel got very deep into the dirt. Be cool but seems like it would still be slow digging.

[JRP3]

Probably still beats a shovel

[artist1018]

That pretty cool but I dont see how you could dig much. I mean the little weight of the atv or aatv would be picked up before the shovel got very deep into the dirt. Be cool but seems like it would still be slow digging.

I would venture to say that any 8x8 Argo with counter weights(concrete blocks or a load of fire wood) in the back would be able to utilize either unit successfully! And a Max II or Max IV, because of their rear engine, would be a good candidate as well!!