Loader bucket convert to 3 point box blade/earthmover

[moparrob]

Apparently Im really cheap as the price of a new HD box scraper is appalling to me, and used ones aren't much cheaper. I may have a good price on an old Cat loader/backhoe front bucket and the wheels started turning. I really like the idea of rollover box scrapers, but also like how my loader can scoop up and carry dirt over a distance. My loader, however, cant change its side-to-side angle like a 3 point implement can. Has anyone seen or heard of a device like this? Im planning on building a c shaped frame with the 3 point attachment points, and a pivot point at the ends of the frame where the loader bucket can rotate from blade forward for cutting/scooping, blade up for carrying dirt across the site, and blade rearward to allow scarifier teeth (attached about where the loader bucket pins would be) to loosen soil. Of course, I'll need a mechanism to lock the bucket in the different positions, but that can be as simple as hitch pins and corresponding holes. What say the TBN hive mind?

 

[Big Barn]

Be sure the loader bucket you buy doesn’t have a bent bottom.

 

[Wolfy]

The smallest Caterpillar backhoe that Im aware of was a 416, which is substantially bigger than a M59. I think you will be getting a real workout.

 

[moparrob]

The one I'm looking at is 92". It doesn't say Cat on it, but the pin pattern looks like cat.

 

[Xfaxman]

Apparently I'm really cheap as the price of a new HD box scraper is appalling to me, and used ones aren't much cheaper. I may have a good price on an old Cat loader/backhoe front bucket and the wheels started turning. I really like the idea of rollover box scrapers, but also like how my loader can scoop up and carry dirt over a distance. My loader, however, can't change its side-to-side angle like a 3 point implement can. --------------------------------------------

Just general information for those that have never seen a Tilt-Tach. On a loader with QA, you can add a Tilt-Tach to easily change the side-to-side angle:

Didn't take pictures with the bucket on it, so here it is with the 6' box blade on a 3 point adapter:

 

[Xfaxman]

And the custom search box at the top of the page found this for the 3 point: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/310031-3pt-bucket-plow-fabrication-2.html

 

[moparrob]

Good stuff! I'd never heard of the Tilt-tach. I'll definitely look into it!

 

[EarPlug]

I don't think this would be a very good idea. Loader Arms are not designed to be a bulldozer. They are capable of a strait, inline pushing but I would be very concerned about the side loading that an angled implement would place on the arms.

 

[moparrob]

I definitely wouldn't use it on my old Mahindra for sure, but the M59 and most skid steers are pretty beefy. I imagine a dozer blade pushing dirt would be more strain than a loader bucket scooping at an angle, which is what I'm after. Is it any worse than my current method of tilting the whole machine with the backhoe arm extended in the direction I want to dig?

 

[EarPlug]

Sorry - missed the part that the M59 was a skidsteer.

 

[Wolfy]

The M59 is not a skid steer, it is a mid size commercial grade backhoe loader with a 3 point hitch.

 

[moparrob]

That was a poorly construction misleading sentence; the M59 is a construction-grade TLB with a sturdier than most skid-steer compatible loader.

 

[Renze]

A 3 point bucket is quite common in Holland. Though a 4 in one bucket is too heavy to move a substantial amount of dirt, you dont have much lifting capacity left.

Hekamp kiepbak - YouTube

Mais schuiven met John Deere 771 en Hekamp grondbak - YouTube

 

[lennyzx11]

Here’s mine bucket on the rear with a 3point to QA adaptor from titan. it works better now that I have hydraulic toplink.
I use it to carry firewood and stuff. When backing into a pile of loose dirt or mulch, I’m careful because of possibly bending the 3 point arms.

 

[Renze]

. When backing into a pile of loose dirt or mulch, I知 careful because of possibly bending the 3 point arms.

I dug holes so deep that you couldnt see the tractor, never had an issue with the lift arms. Just tore the floor loose from the sidewall digging stumps.

 

[Piston]

You can’t be “that” cheap if you bought an M59. That is an incredible machine for sure.

I think you’d be much better off leaving the backhoe on for the extra 2k pounds of weight/traction, and purchasing the tilt tach that was mentioned. The problem is the price is likely similar to a box blade. But really, it’s the implements/attachments that get the work done, not the machine. Implements aren’t the place to cheap out.

If this was a “normal” tractor/TLB, I wouldn’t suggest this, but your machine was made for loader work.

I also think that CAT bucket is too big to be real effective. I have never pulled one with an M59 before though so can’t say for sure.

 

[moparrob]

Ha! Cheap I am for sure! When M59s across the country were selling between $30k and $40k used (and the cheap ones were on the opposite side of the country), I scored this one for $25k at an auction. Only 1400 hours, but it was a 2008 model and ex-rental unit. A bit rough around the edges, but reliable so far. Looking for attachments at auctions and craigslist, but with a bigger machine comes the need for bigger attachments. A 7' gannon is for sale near me for $3700!!!

 

[Piston]

Ha! Cheap I am for sure! When M59s across the country were selling between $30k and $40k used (and the cheap ones were on the opposite side of the country), I scored this one for $25k at an auction. Only 1400 hours, but it was a 2008 model and ex-rental unit. A bit rough around the edges, but reliable so far. Looking for attachments at auctions and craigslist, but with a bigger machine comes the need for bigger attachments. A 7' gannon is for sale near me for $3700!!!

Yes, the heavy duty implements are pricey for sure. Keep looking though, the deals are out there. I scored my 7’ Gannon (Frontier branded) for a $700 investment with some creative finagling.

 

[Big Barn]

Yes, the heavy duty implements are pricey for sure. Keep looking though, the deals are out there. I scored my 7’ Gannon (Frontier branded) for a $700 investment with some creative finagling.

View attachment 607473

Creative finagling. Never fails to put a smile on my face.