Any ideas for a trencher bucket for Powertrac?

[davesisk]

I recently purchased a used PT 1418, and I feel like it was a great purchase!

I could really use something inexpensive to dig trenches (like in less expensive than the $1500 hydraulic trencher attachment!) I'm thinking something like a small 8" - 12" backhoe-type toothed bucket, or perhaps the "shovel" type attachment that you can get with somewhat similar GEHL (?) machines. The 1418 is an older model that uses the 3-pin attachment method rather than the quick-attach. Does anyone have any ideas about where to find something like this, or how to adapt some other small bucket or shovel to work?

I've attached some pics this time!

Best regards,
Dave

 

[Griff]

Wow.. and it's red. I don't recall exactly, but when I stopped at PT for the service training class with Don, they had the original PT machine. I don't know the specs, but I think it was red also. How many hours does it have on it?

As for the small bucket, I also looked into this idea. Some of the other threads have some reference to places to aquire something like this, but all are in the same ranges of > $1200. One place I've still been thinking about is http:\\lackender-fab.com . Randy Ladkender indicated that their Baby Boomer could be made to work with the quick attach plate. If he can weld that onto his unit, perhaps he can rig something for your machine. It might work out that for the same money, you get a bucket instead of a trencher.

However, I have hesitated going this route becuase during discussions with guys at PT, they indicated that while it would work, it tends to drag the machine around when digging (they had a prototype of this before I guess). Because the 400's didn't have the weight to sit still, they created the 2422. I still might go this route as I have many small jobs - plant trees, clean out some streams etc., but I can't say I would want to try and do long trenches with it.... I'm going to wait until I get some more machine time (only 30 hours so far) and aquire a better feel not only for the machine, but also for the need for a small bucket.

 

[PTRich]

There has been some post about a stump bucket. This is a bucket that is about 6 inches wide that is used to pop out small trees with there stump. You could weld a skinny bucket and use this to dig your trench, because your machine articulates it should work well because you can just turn the steering wheel and dump material next to the trench. Then turn the steering wheel back to keep digging. This is something I have been thinking about also.
PTRich

 

[MossRoad]

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.kascomfg.com/ROOTER.jpg>That would be the rooter bucket by kasco, click here to see it</A>

 

[PTRich]

Thats exactly what I'm talking about but perhaps with straight sides. I think this would be an easy thing to weld up if you had someone cut the steel for you
PTRich

 

[davesisk]

That rooter bucket would definitely work! Any idea how much it costs, and if they'd be willing to modify it to fit my old 3-pin attachment method?

Thanks for the post!

 

[MossRoad]

I don't know how much it would cost. You could try their website for information. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.kascomfg.com>http://www.kascomfg.com</A>