Input for my homemade rock bucket design?

jimgerken · Apr 9, 2009

I need a rock bucket in about a week, for my JD 200 CX loader. I priced Virnig and looked at online pics of the Bradco stuff. I am going to be able to build one for about $250 in new metal cost, plus a couple days work. So I have a design drawn up, mostly. Ideas from any experienced rock bucket operators would be seriously considered. Thanks!

rbutterfield · Apr 10, 2009

OK, I give.
What's a rock bucket?
Can you tell I'm not an experienced rock bucket operator like you wanted to hear from.
rb

joes_427_vette · Apr 10, 2009

Were waiting to see your new design. Vernig has some products that look like they would be very effective. The open back part of the bucket doesn't appeal to me due to the amount of dust that would pass through and go directly into my tractors air intake. The trick is not to make it too heavy yet strong enough to hold together.

K9trainer · Apr 10, 2009

Jim

I've been thinkin of building one for awhile and have been gathering materials. I'm considering using 1" rebar and drainage grates whith quick tach set up
The dust debris thing is a issue... I guess I'll have to work up wind lol

k9

JoelD · Apr 10, 2009

rbutterfield said:
OK, I give.
What's a rock bucket?
Can you tell I'm not an experienced rock bucket operator like you wanted to hear from.
rb

Essentially a big sifter, a bucket with slats cut out of the bottom so that you can scoop up a bunch of rocks and dirt and sift the dirt out and then you are left with just rocks in the bucket.

I've been wanting one myself, but not sure how to go about making one.

One thought was to find a bucket for my loader and then modify it??

Joel

jimgerken · Apr 13, 2009

I had not thought of the dust issue. Maybe some technique can solve some of that. I think I can add a flat plate on the back of my design and still get the filtering action to work. I will try to do so. Meanwhile, I am trying to figure out how to show my design to you guys.

jimgerken · Apr 13, 2009

I whipped out this bender attachment for the hyd shop press. It aint pretty, but it makes a nice long-radius bend in 1 inch round stock. The bend radius is 2 inches.

spruce Deere · Apr 13, 2009

jimgerken said:
I need a rock bucket in about a week, for my JD 200 CX loader. I priced Virnig and looked at online pics of the Bradco stuff. I am going to be able to build one for about $250 in new metal cost, plus a couple days work. So I have a design drawn up, mostly. Ideas from any experienced rock bucket operators would be seriously considered. Thanks!

I found with the bradco rock bucket that if there is a lot of stubble, pine needles, roots mixed-in with loose soil the "fingers" tend to plug up the bucket along the front cross-support of the fingers creating a dam, making the thing push like a dozer and not sepparate. Back-raking technique helps with the bucket but I wonder if a smaller diameter "cross" rod would help curtail that. It is the same diameter as the main fingers. Mine is 66 in. wide with 3 in spacing. The thing is a little heavy 550 lbs. I thought about narrowing it up to loose weight. The 790 still handles it O.K. but less bucket weight= more material weight. hope some of this helps...

jimgerken · Apr 14, 2009

Spruce Deere: Yes, that helps. I am changing the angles of my parts to maybe help with what you said about buildup and bulldozing. If my figures are correct, mine will weigh about 350, and be 50 inches wide. The Bradco has been a large influence on my design. Last night I made a steel run and bought everything I'd need. Got home, ate supper, ran to shop and by nine oclock I had made the base frame, the quick tach pins, and bored the thru holes in the base frame for the pins. Tonight should allow me to finish the base frame and have it attached to the 2520 / 200CX loader. Have to draw a new part, based on a good suggestion from a friend. I will try to get some pictures tonight.

spruce Deere · Apr 14, 2009

Glad to be of some help jimgerken!!!

Lookn at the "finger" in the pic, your design looks to be of a shorter finger, That will help with the weight. Cant remember the persons name, but they built a bucket simular to yours. They left there fingers short and strait and claimed exellent performance. That is a little of a bother also I have ran into when loading rocks and other items with 790/ 300 FEL and the rock bucket on a truck or flatbed that sits a little higher. The long fingers of the bradco will not let it dump or curl all the way before hitting the bed. Minor detail, can be worked around, but shorter fingers would help in such situations. Cant wait for more pics!!