16LA loader questions

[jinman]

Gary - Sorry I didn't see your RE before. Thanks for the welcome. I am new to this board, but a long time tractor owner and the proud owner of a new TC45D with 16LA FEL. I'm one of those guys who would rather read tech manuals than spy novels (reality is sometimes stranger than fiction). The manual I was referring to was my new 16LA FEL User's Manual. I plan to buy service manuals also.

About your loader - Yesterday I "popped" an 8" dia. blackjack oak with my loader bucket after undercutting the roots. I've added the cutter blade to my loader and it has really increased the functionality. Last week I took out three willows which were multi-trunk of 6" or more. My bucket and hydraulics performed flawlessly. Although I lifted the rear tires slightly a couple of times (R4s-empty, +6' industrial box blade) I don't think I changed the bucket geometry .001". This is one solid setup.

Of course, this tractor is not a dozer. It takes patience, a well thought-out approach, and a continual awareness of safety. Also, with all the rain we have had recently in N. TX, I'd be remiss not to mention the aid of mother nature in my exploits. If the ground was dry and hard, I'd find something else to do with my blue./w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

On the subject of loader strength - I have a Ford 4000 ('64) with a loader so heavy that I cannot back up on level ground if the loader is 1/3 full of gravel (with rear wheel weights, water filled, + 6' box). It's not FWD, but I cannot imagine where the engineering brains were when this tractor was designed. I only keep it around because I can stick the huge bucket in the air and launch myself into the brush without worries of damage, scrapes, or scratches (except to myself). I suspect the 16LA loader bucket strength issue was an engineering tradeoff with the light-duty buckets being for folks who want to clean out stalls and the heavy duty buckets for folks like us who occasionally need to clear brush or pop a tree. I agree with you that 30 lb difference in weight doesn't engender a lot of faith in the "HD" label.


JimI

 

[gmason]

jiman, I've got a HD bucket on order and I'll post here when I get it and dig out my first 8" stump. Yesterday I "bent" the bucket lip back straight by simply going up to a still standing, but dead white oak, and tilting the bucket back so that the lip would touch the tree first from the bottom. I was in low gear and just gave a few taps on the forward pedal. The HST didn't grown hardly at all and BAM the bucket lip was straight again. This was something I had done many time with the loader on my B2400 and even though the power was much less there was never an indication that the bucket ever gave way. I guess I was just used to that bucket.
Sound like your enjoying your tc45d?
gary

 

[paccorti]

Hey Gary,

I took my own advice and purchased a toothbar today. NH buckets may be a bit light duty but that toothbar is EXTREMELY heavy. The dealer said 80lbs, I think it's more. I haven't bent my cutting edge (or any other part) but I've got to think that this will really reinforce the entire cutting edge area. I'm looking forward to trying the digging ability of this setup, tomorrow!

I did see a heavy duty bucket and mentally compared it to mine. From what I can see the differences appear very minor. Most of the steel does not appear to be any thicker (hard to tell obviously). There is additional welded reinforcement on the vertical end plates of the bucket (in the front running from the cutting edge up to the top of the bucket near the rolled steel). If memory serves, the std bucket has two wear bars this hd bucket had three. The cutting edge has holes and might be thicker. No other obvious reinforcement appeared to me. I'm happy to be corrected though. If I was seriously pushing my bucket, I would consider a welded bar running from the rolled edge down toward the cutting edge (effectively bisecting the bucket).

Peter

 

[gmason]

Peter,
I picked-up my HD bucket on Saturday and picked-up my tooth bar on Friday from Carver(WD Long). So I had a good Saturday... It took me and my wife about 45 minutes to get the new bucket back on. Three of the large pins went in good, but the 4th one was hard to get in. I had to push the bucket just a little against a tree to get the holes aligned and of course getting the holes aligned for the locking bolts that go through the pins.
With that accomplished I test fitted the tooth bar and found that the holes didn't align with the exsisting holes ARGH!!
Well the largest steel cutting bit that I had was only 1/2" and the bolts were 7/8". I drilled out the 1/2" and then got out a few grinding cones for my drill bit. I went through 3 stones in less than 10 minutes and barely got the hole any larger. I got out my Dremil tool and used a few of those grinding stones too. Went to the local ACE store too see what they had to do the job. $3.49 for a cheap ass cone for my drill that didn't last 2 minutes, but I found a set of 3 stones for my Dremil made by B&D for $7.50, but had a money back guarantee if not satisfied. I told the clerk that if they didn't work I'd be back to get my $$$. Well it was slow, but between the Dremil tool and a round file, 45 minutes later I had one hole drilled out. Got the other one out in another 50 minutes and the tooth bar was attached.
The steel on that HD bucket is some reallt hard stuff. The bucket has a little different design. There is one 2" strip running the underside from the lip to the last bend before the face running to the round top lip.

I went out and tested it but throwing wood in it and digging a few stumps. Pulled up a few 6" pine stumps with the teeth.

I went out yesterday and ran it over my driveway. I found it's good to drag back with the teeth to loosen the gravel then heel the bucket to smooth the gravel.

I dug out a few yards of ditches too and the teeth really allow you to get break through the top crust.

I ended up getting the bucket for $175 with trade, and the toothbar for $265.

BTW..went looking at ATV's on Saturday also.. looking at the Honda Rancher 4x4 ES. Nice looking tool too. Waiting to see what happen with these interest rates tomorrow and see what Honda comes up with for incentives.

gary

 

[kamarch]

Jinman,
Bolt-on cutter bar? Who makes this attachment and where did you buy it? If it has two edges, can you explain the differences between the two for me? Did you also buy a bolt-on tooth bar?

 

[Bird]

kamarch, try http://ssbtractor.com

Bird

 

[paccorti]

Gary,

I'm happy to hear that this new bucket suits you better. I tired to put my toothbar on yesterday. Would you believe that it was the wrong size? Argh! 69.5". I guess there are some 70" buckets running around. I need 72" (or close). Now I have to lug this heavy monster back. Next time I'm bringing the tape measure!

I was so pumped up for major digging I just had to go for it. So with no toothbar, I just attacked a high spot on my land. Boy, I ripped that place apart! Now I need a tiller to break all the large clumps of grass apart. What fun, I could do this all day /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

Peter

 

[gmason]

Peter,

What's that old saying...what can go wrong will.../w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

What/where did you get this toothbar? Did they not ask you what tractor/loader it was for? Carver's deal a month ago with WD Long was good and they asked what tractor/loader it was going on.
It fit like a glove, within 1/8" to the inside of the bucket(after I drilled the holes out). It really beefs-up the lip. Unfortunatly, the holes along the lip of the bucket don't have any corresponding holes in the tooth bar. But, I don't think there needs to be. BTW does anyone know why NH put those holes in the loader to begin with? To mount your own teeth perhaps??
We're suppose to get 2" of rain here today/tomorrow. Guess we need it..

 

[paccorti]

Hi Gary,

I bought at Theros NH in Gainesville VA. They did ask about the machine. I expect that we just walked up to the wrong bunch of toothbars laying around outside (they had bunches of them newly shipped). I'm going to go back tomorrow and see if I can get this straightened out.

Yes I was kinda wondering about those holes in HD cutting edge too. Somehere there must be a cutting edge/toothbar that bolts on.

Peter

Peter

 

[paccorti]

Gary6,

How much was that toothbar from Carver? Shipping? My dealer does not seem to have the exact right size. They only have a 70" to 72" toothbar (which is actually 69.5"). I'd need to create an 1.25" spacing on each side and I don't want to do that.

Peter