Converting WR Long 4n1 Bucket to SSQA - ready to cut?

[joea99]

About ready to cut the pin on ears off a WR Long 4n1 bucket to weld on SSQA adapter.

The WR Long has a curved back on the bucket, so hard to figure how much to cut. One gent that did this cut those ears off more or less completely, leaving little on the bucket and used them to weld onto his SSQA adapter for the FEL. So my worry was not an issue at all for him.

What am I babbling about? The "angle" of the adapter plate. Most of the conversion YouTube and others, say to keep the "angle" the same as original. On the ATI adapter I have, it seems the lower pins are about 2 1/2 inches further "back" than the upper pins, with the SSQA at 90 degrees relative to ground level.

Looking at the 4n1, when "flat on the ground", the lower pin on seems to be about 5 inches behind the upper.

So, my dilemma is, do I cut the ears off the 4n1 as near to 90 degrees from ground level as I can manage so the weld on plate sits "straight up and down, or, do I angle the cut to leave about 2 inches more steel, so the weld on plate is slanted rearward on the bottom? Does it really matter?

 

[zzvyb6]

Lift the bucket off the ground and run the curl full travel range to estimate/measure the angle that you will make the the SSQ adapter have when it is attached. It might be a compromise and in the middle of the curl range. Make sure any attachments you will be purchasing will work with this angle to your satisfaction.

 

[Rustyiron]

About ready to cut the pin on ears off a WR Long 4n1 bucket to weld on SSQA adapter.

The WR Long has a curved back on the bucket, so hard to figure how much to cut. One gent that did this cut those ears off more or less completely, leaving little on the bucket and used them to weld onto his SSQA adapter for the FEL. So my worry was not an issue at all for him.

What am I babbling about? The "angle" of the adapter plate. Most of the conversion YouTube and others, say to keep the "angle" the same as original. On the ATI adapter I have, it seems the lower pins are about 2 1/2 inches further "back" than the upper pins, with the SSQA at 90 degrees relative to ground level.

Looking at the 4n1, when "flat on the ground", the lower pin on seems to be about 5 inches behind the upper.

So, my dilemma is, do I cut the ears off the 4n1 as near to 90 degrees from ground level as I can manage so the weld on plate sits "straight up and down, or, do I angle the cut to leave about 2 inches more steel, so the weld on plate is slanted rearward on the bottom? Does it really matter?

What you want (if it's not too late) is sweet spot between low to the ground rollback (carry) and up high dumping angle.
You didn't mention your tractor but most tbn tractors don't have a prayer to load a dump truck so a good dump angle isn't important as a good, well rolled back carry angle that the bucket seems to have now with the 5" difference.

 

[joea99]

What you want (if it's not too late) is sweet spot between low to the ground rollback (carry) and up high dumping angle.
You didn't mention your tractor but most tbn tractors don't have a prayer to load a dump truck so a good dump angle isn't important as a good, well rolled back carry angle that the bucket seems to have now with the 5" difference.

Not too late. Had to dig trench for a foundation pour, so put it off, lest I end up with no bucket at all during the dig, pour and back fill.

Turns out, one of the worn hoses I was holding off replacing for the 4n1 finally popped, so ended up temporarily welding the jaw shut and installing plugs, so I could carry on.

All pretty much on hold til spring time, looks like.