FEL Rock Loader for BX Models?

[txkevin]

Has anyone ever heard of a Rock Loader FEL that will fit the BX model tractors?

 

[Tom_H]

American Solutions makes a grapple that will fit the FEL of a BX. There are a number of threads with pics of this device lifting sizeable rocks. Additionally, both Bro-Tek and Wallenstein make a backhoe thumb sized for a BX that will lift sizeable rocks. There are threads with many pics of this as well. The search function can help you find these. I will try to post links later in the evening.

 

[Tom_H]

This will get you started with links to other links, etc.:

Grapple - BXTractors.info: The Kubota BX Wiki


You might also enter these search terms in the 2 Kubota forums. Do one search for "American Solutions" and another for "BX grapple".

 

[txkevin]

Nope, not a grapple, a rock loader. Picture a normal FEL that has 2" spaces or so on the bottom instead of being solid to allow piles of rock to be picked up and leaving behind dirt. Basically I want to pile up lots of small golf to softball size+ rocks and one in a pile, scoop them up and load rocks only to be hauled off leaving any top soil behind. Landscape rackes pull lots of nice dirt along with the rocks.


Here is a picture of something similar for an skid steer....

Bradco 66" Rock Bucket, 2" Tine Spacing Universal Skid Steer Quick Attach

 

[amigauser]

Great idea but I don't think you will find any that fit a BX size tractor. Most weigh more empty than the BX can lift.

You may want to give Markham Welding "Melissa" a call and see if they can fabricate something for you. The only way it could work on a BX is to replace the stock bucket with the rock bucket and use the factory pin mounts.

 

[kennyd]

You may want to give Markham Welding "Melissa" a call and see if they can fabricate something for you. The only way it could work on a BX is to replace the stock bucket with the rock bucket and use the factory pin mounts.

Just a note: Markham will NOT build "custom pin mounts". They will only sell attachments 3 ways: Skid-Steer Universal Quick-Attach (Bobtach, SSQA), JDQA (John Deere's Quick Attach) and plain backed for the buyer to modify themselves.

But I do agree with this for sure:

Great idea but I don't think you will find any that fit a BX size tractor. Most weigh more empty than the BX can lift.

 

[Tom_H]

Nope, not a grapple, a rock loader.

I understand the difference. It's just that the American Solutions grapple was the only available alternative to just a FEL for a BX that I could think of. Good luck with your search.

Edit: Scrounger (Matt Baynard) has this landscaping toothbar on his BX. It might sift through and gather rocks into your FEL bucket to some degree, obviously not like you are seeking, but it's the closest thing that comes to mind. I realize it is nowhere as efficient and will get soil mixed with the rocks, but again, it is all I can think of for a BX.

http://www.ezattachments.com/id35.htm

 

[Harvest Moon]

OK,

I know this is crazy talk but maybe you could pick up an old landscape rake with a full tine length, remove the three point set up, cut it to width, lay it on it's back and get some sort of loader mount set up bolted or welded to it?

Looking at my landscape rake, I think it would make a great scoop if it was not abused on a lighter machine. It's pretty tough, it seems to hold it's shape well after being drug around by my L3400.

I know the rake, pulling too much dirt, is what started the problem but I still think it might work. Maybe I just woke up to early and I'm still dreaming.

 

[Ductape]

I think if I owned a BX, I'd make (or have made) a mini-skidsteer adapter for the loader. I see plenty of nice, lightly used mini attachments for sale on Craigslist for fair money. I suspect you'd be able to find a rock bucket for a mini.

 

[Harvest Moon]

I think if I owned a BX, I'd make (or have made) a mini-skidsteer adapter for the loader. I see plenty of nice, lightly used mini attachments for sale on Craigslist for fair money. I suspect you'd be able to find a rock bucket for a mini.

That's a much better idea. Except they are pricey.

Bradco Mini Rock Bucket

 

[tommu56]

I think if I owned a BX, I'd make (or have made) a mini-skidsteer adapter for the loader. I see plenty of nice, lightly used mini attachments for sale on Craigslist for fair money. I suspect you'd be able to find a rock bucket for a mini.

There is a guy on you tube that shos his he cut the back out off the bucket frames it put a new back in bucket and put a lip on it like the skid steer and pins to lock it in

tom

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

its typically called a rock bucket. I'd not recomend one for a BX. the bucket itself will be too heavy for the tractor.

 

[dougtrr2]

Could you just put a grapple on the bucket, weld on a few extra bars to make the grapple hold the size rock you want. Then load up, and tilt forward to let the dirt go out the front through the grapple instead of out the bottom of a rock bucket.

Take Care
Doug in SW IA

 

[Tom_H]

its typically called a rock bucket. I'd not recomend one for a BX. the bucket itself will be too heavy for the tractor.

I have to say though that the Bradco listed above at 180 lb for the 42" and 199 lb for the 48" models seems quite appropriate for a BX. The question becomes how easily one could be modified, or adapter connections fabricated in order to change it out with a FEL bucket on a BX or B series. I would think some little aftermarket vendor could really profit on this.

Bradco Mini Rock Bucket

 

[txkevin]

That's a much better idea. Except they are pricey.

Bradco Mini Rock Bucket

Exactly what I was looking for. In fact it could really be a standard 48" bucket with metal strips in the bottom plate instead of a single solid piece of metal.
That is a good example of the utility concept though. I just dont know of any maker that fits a BX.

Simple enough design. Now just needs to fit the BX mount pins......

 

[Harvest Moon]

What ever you decide, were going to want to see pictures!

 

[Tom_H]

Go to the Gearmore products page:

Gearmore Products

Under "Buckets", scroll to "Sifting" and click. Open the PDF that downloads and see the 55" bucket that weighs 300 lb. with 2" wide slats between the tines.