Good Morning All! Like many others, I have been creeping around on this forum for months since I got my 1023E, and it has led to things like pirahna toothbars, bucket hooks, pallet forks...the usual.
Recently the idea of a backhoe became very appealing, and I found an older 260 with light use (according to the previous owner) on Craigslist for $3000 (a new 260B quoted locally at my dealer was $7700). The 260 subframe kit from Green Parts Store was $1600, putting me at a little over $4800 for the whole kit (with a power beyond kit added in). It was easy enough to do the power beyond install, but I will wanted to share what happens when you try to install the 260 (not 260B) subframe for 1023E onto a 2021 JD 1023E.
More to come on this topic as I continue to work through it, but be aware, there is some light fabrication that needs to take place - primarily in the bolts that mount the subframe arms and bracket to the tractor frame. The original subframe kit uses much smaller bolts.
After a lot of step-bit work, the holes were carefully hogged out and mounted. The size difference is from 5/8" to 7/8" in order for the bolts to pass through without restriction.
Mounted.
A key item to note - instructions indicate to get rid of the old draft link support pad (where the draft link bolt passes through from the ROPS support - don't do it! I had to re-use the support and the old bolts because the draft link bolt is about 1/2" longer than previous versions and is not threaded - you won't be able to tighten it down to spec.
More to come as I work through the remaining steps! I love this forum, and I wanted to pass on what I am experiencing!
Recently the idea of a backhoe became very appealing, and I found an older 260 with light use (according to the previous owner) on Craigslist for $3000 (a new 260B quoted locally at my dealer was $7700). The 260 subframe kit from Green Parts Store was $1600, putting me at a little over $4800 for the whole kit (with a power beyond kit added in). It was easy enough to do the power beyond install, but I will wanted to share what happens when you try to install the 260 (not 260B) subframe for 1023E onto a 2021 JD 1023E.
More to come on this topic as I continue to work through it, but be aware, there is some light fabrication that needs to take place - primarily in the bolts that mount the subframe arms and bracket to the tractor frame. The original subframe kit uses much smaller bolts.
After a lot of step-bit work, the holes were carefully hogged out and mounted. The size difference is from 5/8" to 7/8" in order for the bolts to pass through without restriction.
Mounted.
A key item to note - instructions indicate to get rid of the old draft link support pad (where the draft link bolt passes through from the ROPS support - don't do it! I had to re-use the support and the old bolts because the draft link bolt is about 1/2" longer than previous versions and is not threaded - you won't be able to tighten it down to spec.
More to come as I work through the remaining steps! I love this forum, and I wanted to pass on what I am experiencing!