Homemade edge tamers

[LS Tractor Owner]

I started this project last winter, but put it on the shelf when spring came....and summer.... and fall....
I figured I better get them done before we get snow... I don't want to dig up all the gravel again!

Found some 3/8" x4" plate, angled up the front and put a piece of solid square stock as a "catch" for the bucket edge. There is an existing hole on each side of the bucket where a tooth bar bolts, so put a side plate on the 'tamer' to bolt it to the bucket. Still have a bit of cutting, drilling, and painting to do, but they should be done tomorrow.

A few pics:


And one of a trial fit-up:


I forgot how many years it's been since welding ..... the welds show it for sure! ....but paint hides a multitude of imperfections!

 

[BravoXray]

They look good to me!

Good job. Welding is a transitory skill, but the basics usually stay with you.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

They look good to me!

Good job. Welding is a transitory skill, but the basics usually stay with you.

I just couldn't get in the groove..... too much spatter, and my hands aren't as steady..... I guess I'm pretty good at grinding.......

 

[Roadworthy]

I admire your perseverance. I started a set myself but after a couple years of intermittent starts I just bought the actual Edge Tamer. Besides saving the driveway it should increase the life of the bucket.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I admire your perseverance. I started a set myself but after a couple years of intermittent starts I just bought the actual Edge Tamer. Besides saving the driveway it should increase the life of the bucket.

That's what I'm hoping for. Every time I pushed the snow, no matter how 'careful', piles get taken off the drive. I just needed to find my motivation to finish them.

 

[Smokeydog]

They look good. Like the design using to toothbar mounting hole. Haven’t seen that before. Looks like you still could bolt thru the bucket cutting edge too.

My welding skills are definitely variable too. Get better near the end of a project. Glad that didn’t stop you. Your edge tamers should work great!

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I thought about using the cutting edge hole, but then there would be a bolt dragging on the bottom. I also thought about welding a carriage bolt to the tamer to use the edge hole.... but it would interfere with how the tamer catches the front lip.

 

[Smokeydog]

Edge tamers come two ways. Clamp on and bolt on. The bolt on variety has two bottom plates welded together with slots to bolt thru. The bottom plate has larger slot to recess the bolt head. I even think they are casting some models instead of using plate steel.

I like your design. Clean edge and custom built to your bucket. Please report back on how well they perform. We get good inspiration from folks like you. I want to make some too someday.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

They are done and mounted! Now just waiting for some snow to try them out! I did try them "dry" on the driveway.... no gravel out of place... yippee!


Didn't have any black paint, but then I thought red would help me see them and not smash a shin into them.... that would hurt!

 

[Cycledude]

Nice job, looks like they should work very well !

I bought actual Edge Tamers for tractor front loader last year and they work excellent, I highly recommend them.

Hoping to try building a set for my 72 inch rear snowblower this winter.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Thanks! I have been contemplating building a set for the rear blade too. I am hesitant because I would like to build a set of the gauge wheels for the blade. Just can't decide if the effort to build the wheels would be worth it.... I don't use the blade that often.

 

[Sgt Slag]

I'm on my 2nd Winter season with my Chinese knock-off's -- did not realize the real deal was patented, but at roughly 1/2 the cost, they were certainly affordable. They work great, but they do not scrape the surface of my blacktop driveway very clean. I've got an inch, or more, of snow/ice melting, today. Been driving on it for a couple of weeks, now.

I love moving piles of snow with my FEL -- it's a blast! The County road turns 90-degrees, where my driveway meets it; the plow driver leaves me a 2-4 foot high pile of compressed snow/ice to clear, to get out of my driveway. The FEL clears it, easy-peasy, with the edge skis. In years past, I had to remove that wall with my walk-behind blower, slowly chewing it up, bit-by-bit. Now, the FEL just scoops it up, and lets me dump it in the ditch, easy and fast. Even though my edge skis don't scrape down to the pavement, they make such quick, easy work of moving massive amounts of snow, that I don't mind too much.

I buy 50# bags of Chicken Grit, and apply it liberally atop the surface ice. When the Sun comes out, the dark Chicken Grit absorbs heat and melts the ice almost like it was salt. No matter the temperature in tropical Southern Minnesota, the Chicken Grit bites into the snow and ice, when any rubber tires roll over it. I really like Chicken Grit better than sand, any day of the year. Cheers!

 

[Cycledude]

Never heard of chicken grit before, but I see Amazon sells it for about $20 for 50 pounds

 

[CalG]

I like the BOLT ON design detail of your fabrication.

I have the "real McKoy" edge tamers, and they are often bumped askew or even knocked off!

 

[jyoutz]

Thanks! I have been contemplating building a set for the rear blade too. I am hesitant because I would like to build a set of the gauge wheels for the blade. Just can't decide if the effort to build the wheels would be worth it.... I don't use the blade that often.

For the rear blade, I just turn it around backwards and it moves snow (or levels gravel) without moving it.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Of course, since I built / installed these, all we have gotten is a few dustings of snow! Haven't been able to try them on a decent amount of snow....

 

[jyoutz]

Of course, since I built / installed these, all we have gotten is a few dustings of snow! Haven't been able to try them on a decent amount of snow....

So far this winter has been a dud in our area. Good snow in the mountains, but not much in the plains. Hopefully that changes soon.