Digging bucket smooth edge

[Chilliwack Murray]

This is an older project but I just duplicated it for a mini excavator and it is a lifesaver. I apologize if such a thing already exists but I was not able to find any examples. Hopefully this is useful to someone else.

A couple years ago I was trying to dig a footing for a foundation with my 7510 Kubota and 4672 backhoe and was frustrated I couldn’t clean out the trench with the bucket I had. The large digging teeth work well to break the ground but always leave material behind that you have to shovel by hand.

I searched the forums and Google for something like this and came up blank, maybe because I have no idea what it is called, if it already exists.

Since I have only one bucket I made a solid plate that fits over the teeth and provides a smooth edge like a cleanup bucket. I’ve used the bucket many times in rough material, even for digging with no issues. I made the first one out of scraps… the flat bar rests agains the teeth so it isn’t exposed to much force. I cut rectangular tube to slip over 2 teeth and two bolts hold it in place. All the force is carried by the teeth it rests against, the bolt is just so it doesn’t fall off.

As mentioned at the top, I built one today for a 3500lb mini excavator I’m using to cleanup after the creek overflowed the yard. On this one I used 3/8 x5 flatbar and another 5/16 2-1/2 flatbar welded together and some 3” square tube.

It seemed to have a pretty tight fit so I thought I’d see if it stays put without the bolts snd so far no issues digging, scraping and pushing material around for almost 8 hours.

 

[joecdeere]

Very nice, smiling as I walk out to the scrap metal pile!

 

[rScotty]

Very nice. I've wanted the same thing for my BH bucket for years now. If there is one on the market I haven't seen it.
rScotty

 

[Smokeydog]

That’s a real slick solution.

Had a transit and a side gig doing foundation footer layout working thru school. Quickly learned who the backhoe operator was going to be. Some could quickly dig, stay on grade and hardly any clean up with a toothed bucket. Some could work me to death. Sure appreciate their skills when I try to dig.

 

[Willman]

This is an older project but I just duplicated it for a mini excavator and it is a lifesaver. I apologize if such a thing already exists but I was not able to find any examples. Hopefully this is useful to someone else.

A couple years ago I was trying to dig a footing for a foundation with my 7510 Kubota and 4672 backhoe and was frustrated I couldn’t clean out the trench with the bucket I had. The large digging teeth work well to break the ground but always leave material behind that you have to shovel by hand.

I searched the forums and Google for something like this and came up blank, maybe because I have no idea what it is called, if it already exists.

Since I have only one bucket I made a solid plate that fits over the teeth and provides a smooth edge like a cleanup bucket. I’ve used the bucket many times in rough material, even for digging with no issues. I made the first one out of scraps… the flat bar rests agains the teeth so it isn’t exposed to much force. I cut rectangular tube to slip over 2 teeth and two bolts hold it in place. All the force is carried by the teeth it rests against, the bolt is just so it doesn’t fall off.

View attachment 750375View attachment 750376

As mentioned at the top, I built one today for a 3500lb mini excavator I’m using to cleanup after the creek overflowed the yard. On this one I used 3/8 x5 flatbar and another 5/16 2-1/2 flatbar welded together and some 3” square tube.

It seemed to have a pretty tight fit so I thought I’d see if it stays put without the bolts snd so far no issues digging, scraping and pushing material around for almost 8 hours.

View attachment 750377

View attachment 750378

Here’s the one I made for my 20 inch bucket

 

[pokey1416]

Bought a toothed bucket and had the teeth cut off.

 

[redman135]

In the commercial earthworks world everyone who does trenching has at least 1 bucket with a plate welded onto the teeth. the trick is to make sure you can hammer out the pin that holds the toothshell on so you can easily change to a tooth bucket and back as required.

 

[Diggin It]

Now make one with a rounded edge to scoop out drainage ditches.

 

[Cataclysm]

FYI That plate is called a sissy bar in the oil patch. Most every machine around here including my machines have a bucket with a sissy bar welded on. We generally weld the sissy bar on and then have a different bucket with teeth and just change out the bucket.

With a little skill the sissy bar will slide over a pipe where a toothed bucket will rip a hole and cause an oil spill. No oil company or tank farm will let you on the premises with a toothed bucket.

I use old grader blades for my sissy bar's.

 

[Smokeydog]

FYI That plate is called a sissy bar in the oil patch. Most every machine around here including my machines have a bucket with a sissy bar welded on. We generally weld the sissy bar on and then have a different bucket with teeth and just change out the bucket.

With a little skill the sissy bar will slide over a pipe where a toothed bucket will rip a hole and cause an oil spill. No oil company or tank farm will let you on the premises with a toothed bucket.

I use old grader blades for my sissy bar's.

That makes sense. Have hooked my water line before on a tooth when digging for repairs. With a mile of lines to maintain would be good attachment. Just spring water but don’t need to create potential other leaks. Have a combination of black iron pipe older than I or plastic about the same age.