Loader Bucket Build

[Arc weld]

My former neighbor told me a long time ago to remember that I had a farm loader and if you try to use like an industrial loader, something is going break. Making the whole bucket out of abrasion resistant plate seems a little excessive for a 50 HP tractor.

 

[sdef]

My former neighbor told me a long time ago to remember that I had a farm loader and if you try to use like an industrial loader, something is going break. Making the whole bucket out of abrasion resistant plate seems a little excessive for a 50 HP tractor.

Yeap. This bucket is too heavy for my uses and would reduce my load capacity too much. I have a rock grapple bucket for my rock digging.

However, I can certainly appreciate the skill involved in building this bucket. Nice job

 

[rswyan]

Nice job :thumbsup:

How does the new bucket compare, dimensionally, to the old bucket ? (IOW: how much bigger is it ?)

 

[jb1390]

My former neighbor told me a long time ago to remember that I had a farm loader and if you try to use like an industrial loader, something is going break. Making the whole bucket out of abrasion resistant plate seems a little excessive for a 50 HP tractor.

I agree that it is "overdesigned". The only disadvantage, however, of building out of Hardox 450 is cost. The weight is the same as it would be if I used mild steel. For that matter, a mild steel bucket would probably require additional reinforcement on the front edges etc, making it heavier than what I built.

I understand living within the machines capabilities - I've seen fishplated loader arms and would like to avoid that. However, my tractor will bend the 1/2" x 4" cutting edge on the OEM bucket to 3" off of straight without much effort when prying on a decent size rock - that bucket would end up destroyed if I kept using it.

 

[ishiboo]

My former neighbor told me a long time ago to remember that I had a farm loader and if you try to use like an industrial loader, something is going break. Making the whole bucket out of abrasion resistant plate seems a little excessive for a 50 HP tractor.

Same here. The conditions you would need a REALLY strong bucket for seem to be the exact conditions you would want a bucket that was SMALLER, not larger, than the factory bucket too. I have a 72" for the skid loader and tractor, which is the stock bucket size... for digging hard stuff I swap out for a 66" bucket. I wouldn't want to go wider at the same time as heavier duty.

Also not sure why you'd need/want to spend for hardox, my factory Kubota bucket with 4200 hours on it had a few welds but the wear stuff was still in-tact, you'd have to put a LOT of really hard work to wear out a stock well-built bucket with wear strips.

 

[ishiboo]

Not to demean the OP at all, the build looks great quality-wise... just not the same decisions I'd make

 

[jb1390]

Nice job :thumbsup:

How does the new bucket compare, dimensionally, to the old bucket ? (IOW: how much bigger is it ?)

I will need to measure to confirm, from memory I believe the old bucket is 76" wide, so pretty close there. The depth I think is only 18" or so, which made it very tough to try to pick up wood chips or mulch, as the pile would tend to get pushed instead of filling the bucket. Height I think is in the 16-18" range.

Another feature I changed on this new bucket is an exaggerated angle on the rear plate, resulting in a nice rollback at ground level. When using the bucket for weeding the garden, or collecting rocks by hand, etc, the rollback will greatly increase the capacity at ground level. I also use the tractor a lot for wood processing, and this bucket will be much more appropriate than the stock one for that use as well.

 

[jb1390]

Same here. The conditions you would need a REALLY strong bucket for seem to be the exact conditions you would want a bucket that was SMALLER, not larger, than the factory bucket too. I have a 72" for the skid loader and tractor, which is the stock bucket size... for digging hard stuff I swap out for a 66" bucket. I wouldn't want to go wider at the same time as heavier duty.

Also not sure why you'd need/want to spend for hardox, my factory Kubota bucket with 4200 hours on it had a few welds but the wear stuff was still in-tact, you'd have to put a LOT of really hard work to wear out a stock well-built bucket with wear strips.

I tore the edges on my old John Deere bucket pretty drastically removing a section of asphalt. And I've already bent, on several occasions, (though it's mostly popped back) the stock bucket on my mahindra. I try not to abuse, but I won't say I'm easy on my equipment.

And for an extra $400-$500 tops for the nice material, it's worth it IMO.

 

[sdef]

Here is what I dig rocks and stumps with. 48" wide and 550 pounds. Great multipurpose tool that is extremely strong. I have dug out and carried many rocks this size and larger stumps.



This is a better digger due to it narrow front, but is more difficult to carry with without a grapple.



EDIT: This cutting edge addition works wonderfully and has excellent protection:

 

[Shield Arc]

Few years ago I lengthened a bucket for a friend. I think it looks just right for my little tractor! :laughing:

 

[jb1390]

Will your loader be able to lift it full of gravel ?

I think the capacity of the bucket is 1/2 yard or so, which would be about 1500 pounds of gravel. To full height, it'd be close since the weight is forward of the pins, but I think it may be able to lift to full height. That being said, about the highest I need to load is a dump trailer or the bed of my truck, which is well below full height.

I also move the machine a lot to do various things, so I wanted a decent all around bucket so I don't need to bring lots of attachments with me. Most of the time in actuality, this bucket will probably be used for wood and chips.

 

[jb1390]

I updated the solidworks model to include the actual wear plates I installed, etc. Looks like I'm at 650 pounds plus welding wire and chain hooks.

 

[jb1390]

Bucket has primer on all the exposed welds.

I tried to get a picture of how I reinforced the top lip, phone camera did what it could with poor lighting.

 

[charles todd]

jb1390, seems you are getting some flak on material choice. I also would have used an AR steel, as I have tweaked a few standard duty buckets with a 45-50 hp tractor, now I have a 72 hp tractor. Your mounting angle is not excessive. It closely resembles the angle of my LS P7010C bucket.

I think you have inspired me to build a HD stump bucket.

CT

 

[AaronS]

Great build and great looking welds. I can only wish mine looked as good.

 

[JKR]

Nice work. Dose it flex with a heavy load?

 

[jb1390]

jb1390, seems you are getting some flak on material choice. I also would have used an AR steel, as I have tweaked a few standard duty buckets with a 45-50 hp tractor, now I have a 72 hp tractor. Your mounting angle is not excessive. It closely resembles the angle of my LS P7010C bucket.

I think you have inspired me to build a HD stump bucket.

CT

Thanks CT, be sure to post up a picture of your build for us to enjoy!

The mount angle is a bit steeper than the stock bucket or my neighbors skid steer bucket. 60 Degrees, so a 30 degree angle on the bottom plate when rolled back at ground level. I did cut a piece out of cardboard first to make sure I was decently happy with the size and angles held up to my machine before I cut the steel.

 

[jb1390]

Nice work. Dose it flex with a heavy load?

I don't know yet for sure, but I'm pretty positive the bucket will not be the weak link anymore.

I'll be sure to post my thoughts and pictures after using it for a while, for peoples enjoyment and to help people purchasing or building their own bucket.

 

[Eric C]

Well done. Going to look great when painted.

 

[JKR]

I don't know yet for sure, but I'm pretty positive the bucket will not be the weak link anymore.

I'll be sure to post my thoughts and pictures after using it for a while, for peoples enjoyment and to help people purchasing or building their own bucket.

I had a standard bucket and sold it. I then bough a heavy duty bucket no flex. You bucket look great and I think it should just fine. It all in the type of work that's being done.