dirt scoop for small tractor

alexanderg23 · Feb 10, 2015

I've got a Yanmar 1300D 16hp, it doesn't have a FEL. I'm looking at getting a dirt scoop to move dirt and gravel, but I've been told most are too big. Do y'all know anyone that makes one that would fit my tractor?

Thanks in Advance!

jeff9366 · Feb 10, 2015

Sixteen horsepower is not much to pull a Dirt Scoop, which is a ground contact implement. Nor do you have much lift capacity on your Three Point Hitch to deal with a load beyond the 250 pound scoop itself.

You will need to determine if your Three Point Hitch is Category O, Category O/1 or Category 1.

I presume small Dirt/Pond Scoops are Category 1, but I do not know that for sure. A Category 1 implement will not fit a Cotegory 0 Three Point Hitch and may or may not fit a Category O/1 Three Point Hitch.

LINK TO 24" POND SCOOP: King Kutter Dirt Scoop

Consider a Cross Drawbar with a mounted trailer ball, plus a trailer for moving dirt and gravel. You can special order a Polar Trailer from Home Depot.

Small Utility Trailers | Polar Trailer

Terrydt100 · Feb 10, 2015

I have a 15 hp iskei that I use with 24 inch wide dirt scoop. My tractor has no problem with the scoop,full,of dirt other then front end coming off ground on an incline. Wouldn't think a 16 hp tractor would have any problem.

Brad_Blazer · Feb 10, 2015

These 24" models run just under 160lbs.
24" Dirt Scoop
NorTrac 3-Pt. Dirt Scoop | Category 1 Scoops| Northern Tool + Equipment
3-Point Dirt Scoop 24

I have a 30" Howse that works fine.

alexanderg23 · Feb 11, 2015

Thanks for guys, is there any problems with the smaller tractor not being able to lift the scoop high enough to dump?

jeff9366 · Feb 11, 2015

Have you determined what size Three Point Hitch you have??? If you do not have an unrestricted Category 1 Three Point Hitch a scoop is not going to fit your tractor.

What is the lift capacity of your Three Point Hitch, stated in your Owner's Manual?

You have to do your part of the research here.

Xfaxman · Feb 11, 2015

I have a 4' box blade that came with a combination Cat 0/Cat 1 hitch, so it might be possible to find a dirt scoop made that way.

You could also modify a 24" dirt scoop to fit Category 0.

94BULLITT · Feb 11, 2015

To use a dirt scoop (called pond scoop where I live) you will need a ballast on the front of your tractor. The nicer scoops can be hooked onto from either end. I occasionally use a 30'' scoop on a BX. Mine has 2 set of holes for the lift are pins so on a smaller tractor you can get more lift. I think you would be fine with a 24'' or a 30'' but you will be a ballast.

Brad_Blazer · Feb 12, 2015

That Yanmar should have Cat 1 3-point. It needs to lift enough to clear the distance from the pivot point to the cutting edge minus the distance from the pivot to the scoop bottom. On my 30" Howse that would be about 20-6 = 14". The pivot pin is also about 16" back from the hitch pins so if the scoop angles up a little as you lift you will gain a little there. Add at least a few inches for working room.

A dirt scoop is a fun implement to use, Clever design, self dumping and self re-setting.

yeagisyeag · Feb 13, 2015

It is a bit challenging to use a dirt scoop with a compact, but with a little modification it's certainly usable.

I bought an old dirt scoop for $100 a few years back. After realizing that my B7100 could lift it only a few inches at full lift, I cut off the mounts for the lift arms and lowered them on the frame of the scoop. I also changed the link pins from outward facing to inward facing, so that my lift arms could fit better. I'll attach an image (pre mods) to help illustrate.

I will say that when digging with my 16 hp tractor, in undisturbed clay soil, I can barely fill the bottom of the 24" scoop 3 to 4 inches deep before I either lose traction or stall the tractor. Loose soil or gravel can fill the scoop no problem, but I normally need a couple of weights on the front of my B7100 to keep the front tires on the ground.

When dumping, the lip of the scoop still hits the ground, so I pull forward after it hits to turn the scoop all the way over, then back up and lower the arms to relatch the scoop. While not ideal, it certainly works fine and you kind of fall into a rhythm after using it for a while.

Brad_Blazer · Feb 14, 2015

Just don't do anything this guy wouldn't do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uyvHB7_HAE

Xfaxman · Feb 14, 2015

Brad_Blazer said:
Just don't do anything this guy wouldn't do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uyvHB7_HAE

That guy is plowing, I don't get the connection to this thread?

94BULLITT · Feb 14, 2015

Here is my pond scoop. I have the lift arm pins for the other end. I just took them off because I was going to paint it but never did.

nodlenor · Feb 18, 2015

I have a Iseki TU150F which I think is 15 HP. I have a 30" dirt scoop that I use with it. It is all it will handle when the scoop is full of dirt. I wish I had a 24". I usually use mine backing up but found out the need to be very careful because I bent one of my lower lift arms. It doesn't take the place of a loader but it is better than nothing.

Brad_Blazer · Feb 21, 2015

Xfaxman said:
That guy is plowing, I don't get the connection to this thread?

He's pulling a 3-bottom plow with the same tractor as the OP. I think it's relevant to the doubts cast as to whether it can handle a dirt scoop.

94BULLITT · Feb 21, 2015

Brad_Blazer said:
He's pulling a 3-bottom plow with the same tractor as the OP. I think it's relevant to the doubts cast as to whether it can handle a dirt scoop.

It is amazing what 16hp will do.

thirdroc17 · Feb 23, 2015

It wasn't all that long ago, 16hp was a fair sized farm tractor.

94BULLITT · Feb 23, 2015

thirdroc17 said:
It wasn't all that long ago, 16hp was a fair sized farm tractor.

Yeah, here is an example of a 16hp tractor.

1916 Russel 16 HP.: http://youtu.be/hVxUfyy5QSs

dirt_byker · Mar 1, 2015

94BULLITT said:
Here is my pond scoop. I have the lift arm pins for the other end. I just took them off because I was going to paint it but never did. http://s278.photobucket.com/user/NHRAx1320/media/tractor/20150214_164255_zpsyjyrpjuc.jpg.html http://s278.photobucket.com/user/NHRAx1320/media/tractor/20150214_164301_zpsyercfnqz.jpg.html http://s278.photobucket.com/user/NHRAx1320/media/tractor/20150214_164515_zpsznwqzjb4.jpg.html

I have a BX1500 and have been curious how a scoop would work and this picture is very helpful. I of course don't have a FEL and am looking for a cheap alternative and something that is easier than a shovel to move several tons of gravel and some dirt, mostly all on level ground. My question for 94Bullitt, do you have any clearance issues for dumping/unloading?

94BULLITT · Mar 1, 2015

dirt_byker said:
I have a BX1500 and have been curious how a scoop would work and this picture is very helpful. I of course don't have a FEL and am looking for a cheap alternative and something that is easier than a shovel to move several tons of gravel and some dirt, mostly all on level ground. My question for 94Bullitt, do you have any clearance issues for dumping/unloading?

Yes I can dump it. I tried to get a pic of in the dumped position when I took those pics but it would not stay in the dumped position. My BX has larger tires than your and is a Cat 1 hitch. Your tractor has shorter tires and a limited Cat 1 hitch(does not lift as high as Cat1). I'm not sure if you would be able to dump. If you are in loose material the scoop will do pretty good. It does beat a shovel and a wheel barrow. I know a guy that used an Ford 8N and a dearborn pond scoop to back fill around his house. If you have a little determination you can to a lot with one. You should have some weights on the front if you are going to use a scoop. The front weights also really make the tractor perform better with other implements like a rear blade or rake.