Hey Everyone! I hope you enjoyed this video. I need to get use to these longer commentary type videos. The bottom line message of this video is if I can do it, you can do it! Now go build one and save the tractors!

Anyone who tells you they could dig these holes faster with a shovel has obviously never dug a hole with a shovel! lol Awesome build and video Norman. Thank you.

I am glad to see you have new stuff to show us

I bought a JD 430 last fall that I restored. It has the Yanmar Diesel with front and rear 1" axles. I bought the plans from PF, a Lincoln Mig 180, 220-240. I just finished a fab table TODAY! I have an angle grinder and drill press and I will buy a chop saw. I haven't welded in 36 years and that was stick welding. I've watched most of your videos and it gave me the confidence.

Hi from Spain, Norm! Please write down I'm your first and biggest spanish fan. I've been following your channel for years. It gets me so sad when I see the low number of subscribers of your channel! Yours is one of the best DIY channels all over youtube. There are lots of channels with crap or stolen content with millions of subscribers and it's unfair. Your channel has very high quality, original and useful content. It's a pity that here in Spain that kind of small tractors never existed. Of course we, your viewers, love your restoration videos, but these ones, talking about nice things like DIY and tractors, are also great and welcome. Please keep doing them!

Thanks Norman, I appreciate the kick to "just get it done". I have Paul's plans from PF engineering and it's easy to get lost in the planning, tools, second-guessing, etc. I'm just doing to get it done!

Cub Cadet 149....searching...searching...searching. I check Craigslist everyday for this ad "Cub Cadet 149/169. Doesn't start. $300." So few people that have them ever part with them....and when they do, most people are aware of what they have and are asking a lot for them. What you did with yours is fantastic. The series was a lot of fun to watch. Keep posting Norman. Love your videos.

Norman, the work and detail you do in your projects is amazing.. I enjoy welding and fabrication projects myself . Not quite to that extent. I agree you don’t need the best products to complete the job. I have a x728 John Deere tractor and done many projects with it.

Great build glad to see it is still going strong, very informative video, thanks.

I watched the series of you building the backhoe. You did it with tools that many guys have already in their garages. It was a great series of videos. Thanks for the update a few years down the road. The success of your build is evidenced by it still being in use. Saving these old overworked and under maintained is a great thing. Thanks.

I agree. I have done more wrenching with cheap harbor freight tool set and probably the cheapest welder you can find out Amazon then most of these guys preaching about the expensive brands have ever done. I know I'm late to the party but this was an awesome build to watch. All it takes to start a project is a little bit of know-how. The knowledge and skill comes with time.

Excellent video! My Dad and I built a loader using PF Engineering plans for a Case 446 many years ago. Love the loader and if performs very well. Only drawback I have is the lack of power steering which I pan to remedy later on this summer.

Very nice project! You are spot on to diy because you get all the tools and learn a lot to improve yourself. Thanks for sharing your hard work.

Salut Norman, Thanks thanks thanks, c'est tout à fait la vidéo dont je rêvais. J'ai presque tous le matériel pour me lancer. Trop bien 👍👍👍

I always love seeing this machine run. I can watch it dig and then fill in holes all day long lol This machine is the reason I subscribed for ever ago.

I built the micro backhoe last year after having watched your build. I based mine on a 1973 MTD with a 16 HP B&S and a mid mount PTO. It's light in the front end and I still need to change the pump drive pulley to a double as it slips with a single. I have a blast using it.

nice video Norman! there is nothing better than building something yourself and being able to use it on your property. it's good to see those implements still going strong, i've been using the ones i built 22 years ago and they are still doing great, in fact i swapped the loader and micro hoe i originally had on the cub cadet onto a 1986 Ford model 1110 compact diesel 4WD tractor 1500 lbs, widened out the loader bucket to 54" and can lift about 1000 lbs with it. the onboard hydraulics on that tractor put out 4.15 GPM at 1750 psi and run the loader and backhoe no problem. keep up the good work! ~ Paul @ P.F. Engineering

Still can't wait until I get a chance to build a loader and backhoe for my 149. Great video.

Love your positive attitude. I can hear you smile while you're talking.

I am very impressed you did this with a 110 Volt flux core welder. I started with a 110 Volt Harbor Freight flux core welder, upgraded to a 110 Volt Mig welder and now have a 220 Volt Mig welder. The HF welder was 70 Amps and was hot all the time. The 110 V mig welder was OK but did not have the sticker in the door telling you what amperage and wire feed to use for each thickness of metal. It also sped the wire up as you increased the amps. It had 7 amps settings. I managed t get an Amazon return 220 Volt Mig/ Stick/ Tig (if you buy the leads) welder. I find it so much easier to use. Liked and subscribbled for Al Gore's Rhythm.

Awesome video Norman, There is many opinions out here on the web. Many that think they know the only or best way to accomplish something. Your approach to making or doing a project probably gives more people the encouragement needed to at least try with what they have on hand. I believe it helps people realize they don't need anything fancy. Keep up the great video's that I believe help others. God bless you and your family much. Have a wonderful 2020 summer season.

i absolutely agree with you! i have always been told that only the professionals with professionals tools could accomplish certain tasks but thats a complete lie. when i started working on small engine i bought cheap tools to get me started and im still using these tools to this date!

Thanks for the resource of P.F. Engineering. I want to do the same build for my 1994 Deere 332. As for the holes, I use my earthquake 2 man hole auger

Great work Norman. I was inspired by you and built one for my 16 hp Gilson/ Montgomery ward tractor.

This remains my favorite thing in the tractor world

U made that backhoe it serves u perfect u have the satisfaction of knowing u built it ur self ...never mind the haters they re always jealous really enjoyed ur video make more.

I wish I had soil like that. Lake Missoula left lots of gifts for me: boulders that weigh as much as a VW. Sweet build.

Really like this. I have a 1971 john deere with the loader and backhoe that i did'nt build but know and bought it from the guy who did. I also have a 1970 ih cub cadet 105 with mower and tiller on the back along with several other tractors. Great videos and thank you. I dont do the facebook so this is where i get to see them.

Norman, I really appreciate this talk and explaining the real tools. I have a Bolens HT-23 that I'm strongly considering doing! This video is exactly what I needed to see. Oh, and your personal chat on the phone about converting #16 Kohler carb for my S-8D engine... Went to order it and it wasn't available... No problem. I luck up on a TR-10D, which turned out to be a Interchangeable engine that Wisconsin began selling as replacement engines for almost any industry. Mine came with a rare extended front crankshaft. It also was solid state ignition with a Wico Magneto under the flywheel ..... Working with it on a Bolens 1000 ....

On the choice of welders, it's best to ignore forums. Of course there are pro welders on them that indeed do precision work for a living but for the most part it's just people showing off their expensive toys and pretty welds. Almost none of them have ever been on their back in the dirt doing overhead welding. I'm a former diesel/heavy equipment mechanic and used an ancient Lincoln SAM 400 on site or a vintage 440v Hobart in the shop for years. When you're constantly fixing buckets and blades it is hard to beat a good old fashion high powered stick welder. I currently have a Lincoln 'Tombstone' in my home garage that isn't near as powerful as what I had at work but still welds 1/4" material with ease. I paid a whole $200 for it at a yard sale(plus $100 for new leads). At 17:30 you appear to be cleaning the steel with brake cleaner prior to welding. DO. NOT. DO. THAT. Chlorinated brake cleaner and welding don't mix. MIG or TIG welding with argon gas in particular, combined with brake cleaner, can produce phosgene gas. Inhaling even a tiny amount will send you to the hospital and cause permanent lung damage. There are non-chlorinated brake cleaners but it's better to just stick to wiping with acetone because even when FCAW or stick welding the heat alone can vaporize any remaining chlorine which is bad for you as well. Lastly, on the subject of the build, thanks for going into such detail of the PF Engineering plans. There are a lot of timelapse and completed build videos, but not much in depth of the actual process. I'm looking to modify their micro-hoe plans into a tow behind unit(my UTV can go places my tractor simply can't) and your videos helped determine if the plans are worth the price.

Norm, thank you so much for these video's. I've watched this one 3 times. I bought the drawings from PF Engineering, started buying metal and looking at my build list. Anything on sale would be my first purchases. Starting the build in about a month. I live on Northern Ontario Canada and really need this on my property. I built a saw mill last year and doing this now. Last year I found an LA165 JD that's going to be a Dozzer and my Ford LGT145 will be by loader back hoe.

Thanks for sharing and being honest about your work. That’s why I watch your videos and tell others about you. Keep up the good work.😎👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

Just found your channel today. My Dad watches it and told me about these plans. Very nice build and video.

You inspired me to build one. I Finished it in 2019 it has been a awesome Machine

Big fan Norman!

Nice vid Norman can't wait for your next restoration.

Great Job!! And I love your attitude about using inexpensive tools. Thank you

This is a great format Norman, very helpful. I think it’s time for a 2020 loader build !!!!

I know this is old, but bro, go back to HF and get you several magnet squares for welding mockup. It will greatly help with aligning, holding, and squaring up your assemblies for tacking together

Good stuff Young Man, Keep at it, you Sir are a great contribution to what is left of what KZfaq use to be. Thank you for your valuable time and effort.

Not trynna be "Macho" or anything but i dig for a living everyday.. big holes... long holes... footers.. and i walk just fine. Love the tractor! Just built a root rake / box blade for my husq and considering building an excavator for it.

Very nice. My brother is a hydraulics engineer. He does this stuff for a living. Me I have no use for a tractor but I would sure love to build one like this and just dig holes in someone’s yard.

I built a PF Engineering FEL for my Wheelhorse about 10 years ago. It’s a beast. It moves my 750lb welder with very little effort. Best advice I can give is to find a used Zamboni blade for the cutting edge. Beautiful work on the Custom Cub!

Awesome video Norman. I just got my loader and backhoe plans. Now to buy the materials.

I got to give you thumbs up, flux core first time welding great job, I built a bulldozer with flux core , For a young man Great job.

Your right I dont need them big dollar tool ether I have a shop at home like u an I get it done 2 .I'm a big fan an really like the message u bring really cool an very nice work I think. 1 - 4 the lil guy win win . Thanks 4 the video very well done.

Yep still my favorite

Just found your channel. Interesting. I enjoyed. Thanks

You can get deeper penetration on the flux core if you pre-heat with a propane torch, etc. On the thicker stuff I used to do that before I got a bigger welder.👍

Excellent video! And please, keep up these commentary additions to your videos as they are extremely helpful and interesting.! Thanks again Norman.

I built my loader with a 240 volt harbor freight welder with flux core wire. And a champion 5kw generator. Fact is a lot of heavy equipment is welded with flux core wire right at the factory.

I built the same fel/backhoe, but from a cub cadet 129. The 12hp kohler k301a is no slouch. It did everything i asked of it. You don't have to have a 149 or 169.

Only thing I didn't understand was sauna tubes. Clearly a self researcher but left this here for the masses. Thanks again

Super génial !!! Toujours aussi cool de regarder!!!

very nice job

Nice job

I am very impressed. Nice video and great bulit

I just watched your video you done a excellent job on that tractor

I got a 70s cub like this and a 80s cub that I am trying to get running again and a 70s ford 145, the ford had been rebuilt but now the stator and regular went bad so trying to scorce thoes parts so it will charge while it is running. The ford has a front blade, 50 inch deck, one bottom plow, disc, and calla packer. Love the ford and have had it for 17 years I believe.

Great video Norman! Know that there crazy, what a great line. David from Tennessee here.

Thanks so much for this - I’ve wondered about that set up too

Great video. Biggest take away for me, the hard part is getting all the pieces jigged up.

Nice work! I would love to have one of those.

Just uploaded and the video have one like already!! 😲!! Cool

Hey @isavetractors, on our property down here in Texas we don't dig them up, we burn them, way easier & more effective. other than that, nice build! The cub cadet tractor really fits nicely with the loader/backhoe. I like the all yellow theme on it.

That is a beautiful beautiful job, that you did, thanks for the video

Beautiful job

Need a thumb and a quick change for the bucket and this will be a more versatile machine. Good points on basic tools.

Well done, thanks for sharing.

Really interesting Norman...excellent format

I agree with everything you said about tools I have some cheap ones and I have some expensive ones they have all made me the same amount of money

I know I’m a little late but you could put a thumb on the back bucket for logs and brush!

2:24 So you're saying you really wanted a Bolens? :) It's cool that you were able to make a hydrostat foot control for your Cub, a lot of people really prefer foot control to hand control, especially for something with a loader. And at least yours is a hydro trans, my GT18 has a manual transmission...

I enjoy your videos, with 3 acres I so need a FEL and a backhoe would be great. I have a bunch of landscaping jobs around the house that a BH would make short work of. Maybe someday I'll build a set for my Massey MF1855.

Sweet!

I have a house well stick wielder 115 volts 75 amp out put and I’ve wielded the frame of my cub back together and it held just fine I only paid $110 for it and I’ve had it for almost a year and it’s done a lot for me

Very cool. I've got a 314 hydro wheelhorse tractor I would like to but a loader and backhoe on it.

Great job Norman love ya style Sir

Awesome Job !

cool build. I'm going to put a front loader on a cub 100 , just scanning KZfaq for videos. Id like to see more detail on your pump system. I know yours is live. but I want to use the pto clutch. the 100 isn't a hydro tractor as you prob know.

Solid work. How much was the parts cost between the raw steel and all hydraulic components?

this makes me want to build one even tho i dont need one

The only reason that I need Snap on is being of my day job being a technician so buy one and done and use the hell out of those warranties haha but my secret favorite is still harbor freight

outstanding

If I had a welder and the money for parts I’d build a loader for my Toro 522xi attached to the frame under the footrests and in the front to the 4 bolt holes where the front bumper attaches so it could be used along with the mower deck. A custom mule drive would have to be made.

Cool video big guy.

Hi Norman, thank you for the video of your build! Do you have more info regarding the conversion from the hand operated hydrostatic control to foot pedal control?

You did a nice job on that. I wonder if a John Deere RX75 is too light for those to work as attachments. They would have to both be used on the front since the motor is in the rear, it would be difficult to operate anything on the rear. Your tractor initially looked a lot like a Sears garden tractor we used to have. Thanks man

I just want a loader to but on my wheel horse 4-16

What wattage generator did you use with your welder? I bought an older house up here in Northern Maine and every time I try to run my welder circuit breakers start tripping. So.....right now , no welding.

I wonder if it would be more helpful to have the backhoe bucket be longer toward the teeth so you can dig more straight down the end of a trench.

I love this build!! I'm very new to hydraulics. How do you control the two cylinders for the front loader at the same time?

It isn't "Macho" to say that a man could do it with a shovel... Just because your body is not conditioned for manual labor does not mean that your body could not be conditioned. You do not work digging manually everyday, a man who does have to dig every day will dig those 12, 4ft deep holes before lunch. It is NOT MACHO to say that. When people bring this up it is an issue of TIME. If a man is CAPABLE of doing it faster the company will have a man do the job... It is that simple. I enjoy the build. I just think your talk about "Macho" talk is just you compensating for your own insecurity in what they said. You can dig those holes. You would just take a couple weeks before your body got used to it. Just because you cannot do it right now, does not mean it is not a done thing, or a common thing, it also does not mean you are not capable. I am sure there was a point in time where you could not have built this machine, obviously you figured it out and gained the skills. Would you let somebody tell you that it would be impossible to build that tractor just because they do not possess the skill or ability?

Yes. I like the videos, and the quick video showing a particular part of assembly.... $5k for building a complete FEL & backhoe? Did I hear that right?

I recently bought a 19 horsepower Kubota with a front loader for $300. It won't start but I have a good D950 motor for it. Hint: it can be less money to buy the tractor with the loader. This new acquisition weighs 1,860 pounds but its not very big. Its got a 9 speed geared transmission. Other than the injectors the diesel motors are simple and rebuild kits are widely available - they have replaceable cylinder sleeves which the Kohlers lack, so after a rebuild they have standard bore. I recently picked up two Kubota motors for $130 for both - I think both motors will run as they have compression. One motor a 33 hp model and the other is 19 hp - still in production. I like my garden tractors but the sub compact has enough oomph to get larger jobs done. My 20 hp 520H Wheelhorse is great but it lacks traction because its too light. Four wheel drive is fantastic with a loader. I may swap a Kubota diesel into a garden tractor, like IH did with the 782D. I have a 782 gasoline model.

👍

Hey Norman I have a question I have a kholer series 2 twin pack 17 that needs a rebuild does isavetractors supply parts for it? Great video!

Nothing worng with a small welder for home use, just make sure you have clean metal you be fine, you dont need some 7k welding rig it's not like your welding spaceships lol

I love it, Great job. I have an LGT18H Ford I would like to do this too. Do you think it would hold up to the load?

Does Isavetractors have points and condenser parts for a 16hp cast iron Briggs?