beefing up my bucket

retiredmgn · Jan 31, 2011

Hi all,
Tasks of late are proving my new 3038 quite admirable. It appears, in my case anyway, there is an adjustment period between saying goodbye to an old friend (kubota 8200) and accepting the new.
One thing I need to do is add some rigidity to the top of the bucket. The dealer I bought it from welds on a 4x4" plate and a hook to the top center of the bucket. I like this setup but I've seen several buckets bent from exceeding the the strength of the top of the bucket. On the inside top of the bucket I can weld in a 60" x 5" strap to reinforce. Question is, would 1/4" thick be sufficient? More? I would like to use this center hook without compromising the bucket.

qball98 · Feb 1, 2011

For that application C channel would be my first choice. If you don't have that around then heavy square tubing or maybe even some angle iron if it is heavy enough. A piece of pipe would even work it would just be harder to weld in place. Flat strap would help but something with sides to resist flexing would do a better job.

Deadman · Feb 1, 2011

They welded C Channel to mine, and its been great.
Flat stock doesn't offer nearly as much strength.

hanson1999 · Feb 1, 2011

i like the 60 x 5 strap. It boxes the top of the bucket in. Thats just like the HD bucket versions have.....

I added it on my 2520 and was indestructable. My 3320 has the HD bucket and is the same.