[Willie Nunez]

Due to the long warranty procedure on my "fried" Super Winch, I ended not up having a choice but to air freight the actuator to San Antonio.

<img src=http://img53.photobucket.com/albums/v162/WillieNunez/J-B_Jr_Upgrade_2_002.jpg>

 

[Chris]

Is this the actuator you wanted or a different size? I recall in your last post on the failed winch thread, you indicated that they wanted to send you a different actuator than you wanted but didn't expound. How does it work with this configuration vs. the winch motor setup?

Let us know, Willie and thanks for your insight!

Andy

 

[jodyand]

It looks more professional with the actuator set up. How does it work:question:

 

[Argee]

Is it a correct assumption to say the actuator replaces the winch entirely?

 

[Ingersoll444]

Looks nice how is the fuction?? Seems like a MUCH better setup then the winch. Looking foward to a review.

 

[Willie Nunez]

Frankly, IMO if John Scheele had known that this Bear Linear actuator had been available at the time he decided to market his J-B Jr, he never would've used a winch(for the primary lift function). From a design standpoint, the difference between the two systems is day and night. Everyone who has ever operated a front bucket knows that you need positive-control of the vertical movement of the bucket. By replacing the winch with this actuator, you can force the bucket to go down, or force it to go up; all without any hesitation as soon as you touch the switch. Plus, with this setup, the electric motor is much more isolated from the heat of the muffler and the engine. Plus, NO MORE abraided/broken winch cables. Plus, you now have a basic attachment whereby you can remove two 1/2" bolts, and bolt on a front blade(or any other implement that requires up/down articulation).
What is shown in the photo is exactly the upgrade kit as it comes from Johnny Bucket. The actuator itself has a stroke of 4", and the swingarm ratio produces a factor of approximately 2.8 which means that the 1,200 lb actuator will lift a bucket load of approximately 430 lbs. This also means that it can push the bucket down with an equal force, which means it can lift the front of the tractor(just like a hydraulic front bucket).
IMO this improvement is huge, and as soon as more tractor owners become aware of it, they might decide it's now well-worth the money. I believe the actuator is now standard equipment on the current J-B Jr.

 

[REDGT]

I hope that it is, and I'm expecting mine any time now, it's been a little over two weeks since I ordered it. Wife was skeptical at first, but now suggests it will make it a lot easier to do site prep for a pool (above ground) and a lot of landscaping we are about to undertake, not to mention the garden which is nearly up to 100x100 ft. My brother-in-law has a full size Case with front loader, and I have access to it any time I would need it, but a lot of the time, it's just too big, and damages the lawn. The little GT chugs right along, naver complains, and saves us both a ton of work. With toys like these, aint life great?

 

[Willie Nunez]

REDGT,
Did you specify it had to have the actuator(no winch)?

 

[MowHoward2210]

How does this actuator work? Does it have some kind of screw drive?

 

[REDGT]

I am "assuming" that the actuator IS the down force modification that was being discussed. I contacted the folks at JB and said that I'd order it as soon as this modification. About two weeks later, got an e-mail that it was available. SO...I have assumed that the actuator would be included. Sure hope I didn't assume wrong...gonna e-mail 'em just in case...

 

[Live Oak]

Originally posted by Willie Nunez
Frankly, IMO if John Scheele had known that this Bear Linear actuator had been available at the time he decided to market his J-B Jr, he never would've used a winch(for the primary lift function). From a design standpoint, the difference between the two systems is day and night. Everyone who has ever operated a front bucket knows that you need positive-control of the vertical movement of the bucket. By replacing the winch with this actuator, you can force the bucket to go down, or force it to go up; all without any hesitation as soon as you touch the switch. Plus, with this setup, the electric motor is much more isolated from the heat of the muffler and the engine. Plus, NO MORE abraided/broken winch cables. Plus, you now have a basic attachment whereby you can remove two 1/2" bolts, and bolt on a front blade(or any other implement that requires up/down articulation).
What is shown in the photo is exactly the upgrade kit as it comes from Johnny Bucket. The actuator itself has a stroke of 4", and the swingarm ratio produces a factor of approximately 2.8 which means that the 1,200 lb actuator will lift a bucket load of approximately 430 lbs. This also means that it can push the bucket down with an equal force, which means it can lift the front of the tractor(just like a hydraulic front bucket).
IMO this improvement is huge, and as soon as more tractor owners become aware of it, they might decide it's now well-worth the money. I believe the actuator is now standard equipment on the current J-B Jr.

Not sure what you payed for the linear actuator but it sure does look EXACTLY like a satellite dish actuator. How long is this actuator? Might be able to find you some cheaper replacements if you ever need one in the future. Looks like a real nice set up Willie. :thumbsup: Let us know how well is works for you.

 

[Willie Nunez]

Chief,
If you had ever researched(and used) current-design linear actuators, you would NEVER say that this actuator looks exactly like a sat dish actuator. What you said is akin to saying that now that I've put a front bucket on my orange tractor, it looks exactly like your green tractor......not sure what you payed for it. Is the inference supposed to be that you paid too much?
FYI there is no replacement for a Bear Linear actuator, when it comes to using an actuator for sleeve hitches or front buckets.
BTW the price of this last actuator is $100 more than the price of the winch it replaces. I sufferred through many frustrations using the winch(besides the 3 broken cables and burnt motor). Just imagine using your front-end loader with ONLY the lift portion of the hydraulic actuators working(depending on gravity to lower the bucket). That's how the winch worked. But now, with the linear actuator, the impression you get is that it's the way you would design it yourself. It now works like it should.

 

[Chris]

Well considering that Bear Linear LLC is only one of 137 companies that produce rod-based linear actuators is it too far-fetched to assume that there might be other options for choice, selection, implementation and pricing? I disagree that there are no replacements for Bear Linear actuators. It is not mystical science --- just application design and selection. In any case, it appears that you have gotten pretty defensive these days with regard to your FEL loader project on your GT.

Well, good luck with the new setup.
Andy

 

[Willie Nunez]

Andy,
It would NOT be too far-fetched to make that assumption. I'm sure many others have made that assumption. It'll be up to someone else to invest their time in order to find a superior, or equal, to the Bear Linear. The point that I tried to make is that it will NOT be a satellite TV antenna actuator.
FYI this will be the last time I defend, or recommend, Bear Linear.
It's time for someone else to recommend something else. I was just passing on MY experience. I will keep an open mind, as I'm always interested in finding out a better, less-costly product. It's not as if I get paid a commission

BTW did you receive my e-mail the other day?

 

[Chris]

Thanks for the info, Willie! I did not get your email. Please resend it to [email protected]

Regards,
Andy

 

[Live Oak]

Originally posted by Willie Nunez
Chief,
If you had ever researched(and used) current-design linear actuators, you would NEVER say that this actuator looks exactly like a sat dish actuator. What you said is akin to saying that now that I've put a front bucket on my orange tractor, it looks exactly like your green tractor......not sure what you payed for it. Is the inference supposed to be that you paid too much?
FYI there is no replacement for a Bear Linear actuator, when it comes to using an actuator for sleeve hitches or front buckets.
BTW the price of this last actuator is $100 more than the price of the winch it replaces. I sufferred through many frustrations using the winch(besides the 3 broken cables and burnt motor). Just imagine using your front-end loader with ONLY the lift portion of the hydraulic actuators working(depending on gravity to lower the bucket). That's how the winch worked. But now, with the linear actuator, the impression you get is that it's the way you would design it yourself. It now works like it should.

Willie, I was just trying to offer a little potential future help as well as extend a compliment. Be that as it may, it is VERY apparent that no good deed goes unpunsished with you nor are you able to accept the least bit of constructive input or suggestion.

By the way.........after more than 20 years and several thousand hours as military pilot and test pilot; I have worked with an actuator or two and have a "foggy" idea how they are manufactured, who manufactures them, and how they work.

 

[ducati996]

Willie,

How in gods name did you interpret Chiefs comment as negative or condescending? Have you ever seen a C-band dish and the mechanism's required for positioning? and if its not on the money you don't get a picture...I saw nothing wrong with with Chiefs suggestion....


Duc

 

[Willie Nunez]

I don't see it as a big deal. Yes, I owned(a long time ago) one of those horrible eyesores in my backyard. The actuator(jackscrew) was a cheap unit with a very long stroke(necessary to the application) and was rated at 150 lbs, and did NOt run off a battery! It doesn't matter what your background is, it's just that most people on this forum know the difference between a 1,200 lb Bear Linear, and a Sat TV antenna jackswcrew. I'm not defending the Bear Linear, I'm just pointing out the vast differences in design parameters and application-requirements. For all I know, a Bear Linear is pure junk. But, it's easy to figure out the negative arm ratio, the total loaded weight of the bucket(plus a little extra), and come up with a force requirement. It's obvious you'll need a compact design, and also one with acceptable speed/price/availability.
Instead of trying to straighten me out, why don't you spend your time, come up with an acceptable actuator, and let us know about it. That's what I did, and I stand by my comments.
If what I said is interpreted as an attack on Chief, it's clear to me we couldn't have much fun sitting around the campfire.
BTW I've flown lots of airplanes, including jets(it's what I do). I've NEVER seen a linear actuator similar to the Bear Lineaer in any of them. So, what does that have to do with it? I don't know.

 

[ducati996]

Originally posted by Willie Nunez
Instead of trying to straighten me out, why don't you spend your time, come up with an acceptable actuator, and let us know about it. That's what I did, and I stand by my comments.
If what I said is interpreted as an attack on Chief, it's clear to me we couldn't have much fun sitting around the campfire.

You think I was trying to straighten you out here? Maybe trying to make you understand nobody was making fun of you here...

As for the campfire thingy, you would get under my nerves to quickly and I would have to toss you in the fire - just kidding

Relax its not GW here..

Duc

 

[MowHoward2210]

Chief was just making a simple observation and maybe one that might help someone down the road.

So could someone help the terminally stupid and answer my previous question is a linear actuator some kind of screw drive?