Not a Toothbar

[72chevyblazer]

After looking at the different toothbars available, and considering the way we plan to use our new tractor, we decided to just get some adapters and teeth and weld them right on the bucket. The 2 real decision makers were that we couldn't think of a time in the near future where having teeth would be a problem, and the second was the cost. I got 7 adapter/tooth assemblies from the local Bobcat dealer for just under $160. The adapters fit the bucket lip well, but in the back there must be an extra step in the Bobcat buckets so there was a gap. I just used pieces of flat bar to fill this up and keep from having to fill it completely with weld. Once tacked on, I did the root pass with 7018 stick and then filled in the gap areas, back and bottom with the MIG.

 

[SSdoxie]

Nice job. If you find you would like to do some smooth back dragging, weld a peice of bar stock length of the bucket at the rear just where is starts the curve up to the back plate then back drag with the cutting edge curled up slightly. Does a great job and reduces wear on bottom of the bucket.

 

[72chevyblazer]

Thanks. That sounds like a good idea. I had heard of people welding a bar to a couple of teeth and swapping it on and off, but I like your idea better since over time the pins that hold the teeth on can get packed with crud.

 

[arrow]

Congrats on the new tractor Ned. One of the advantages of a mounted tooth bar is that the teeth are welded to a thick plate. Buckets on compact tractors aren't the strongest buckets around so this plate acts like a reinforcement for the weak bucket lip. Just be careful so you don't bow your bucket lip with the extra forces teeth may cause.

 

[72chevyblazer]

Thanks for the feedback. Do you have a toothbar? I'm curious as to how thick the flat bar that ties the adapters together is? In looking at them (online) it really only looks like a piece of 1/4 or maybe 3/8 by about 2 flat bar. I just don't see how this can add a whole lot. I can see how this would let the teeth flex rather than bend the lip, but not really how it would add much support.
Not trying to start trouble as I know that pretty much everyone on this forum has more experience with compact tractor FELs than I do, especially since mine hasn't even been in the dirt yet. But I do have experience with bigger excavator and loader buckets where the teeth are always welded to the lip. The other thing I noticed is that the skid steer people aren't too keen on tooth bars because they bend. I guess the lip in a skid steer could be stronger than what Kubota put in the LA844 bucket, and if so, I guess a new lip or a new bucket will be in my future.

 

[arrow]

Thanks for the feedback. Do you have a toothbar? I'm curious as to how thick the flat bar that ties the adapters together is? In looking at them (online) it really only looks like a piece of 1/4 or maybe 3/8 by about 2 flat bar. I just don't see how this can add a whole lot. I can see how this would let the teeth flex rather than bend the lip, but not really how it would add much support.
Not trying to start trouble as I know that pretty much everyone on this forum has more experience with compact tractor FELs than I do, especially since mine hasn't even been in the dirt yet. But I do have experience with bigger excavator and loader buckets where the teeth are always welded to the lip. The other thing I noticed is that the skid steer people aren't too keen on tooth bars because they bend. I guess the lip in a skid steer could be stronger than what Kubota put in the LA844 bucket, and if so, I guess a new lip or a new bucket will be in my future.

I don't think its the thickness that is necessarily the strength factor. It's benefit has more to do with the distribution of forces before they get to the lip of the bucket as this area is kind of wide on the tooth bar. Sort of like collar ties on a building. Its not their thickness that is giving the rafters more strength, its more their depth. Buckets act as the least point of resistance on a compact. They tend to absorb forces that would do more damage further on a loader so it doesn't get to the loader. As a result, most standard buckets on compacts are more on the flimsy side compared to the rest of the tractor. Teeth are simply going to add even more leverage which quite possibly could effect the bucket. I'm not saying I'm right. All I'm saying is that it may be prudent to watch this area as you use your bucket. Good luck with your new machine. I am sure you are going to enjoy it.

 

[mdunaway]

my concern would be is that now you are stuck with them.yes,i do have a toothbar and love it.hope it works uot well for you.

 

[nybirdman]

Another problem I can see...you purchased the standard bucket.....I have the HD round-back bucket with a Markam tooth bar..$369.00. If you add hooks to the top be sure to reinforce the top lip all the way across.

 

[72chevyblazer]

Does the round bucket have a different lip than tbe standard bucket? It has been difficult for me to find actual specs on the different buckets and the salesman has not been a great source of enlightenment. In fact, I dod ask him if this bucket would be strong enough to support teeth and he said yes so I didn't ghink I needed a different bucket.
The main message I seem to be getting from this is that the original standard bucket is so flimsy that it can't support teeth or hooks, which I must say is pretty disappointing. I would have thought that a bucket on a tractor this size would have been designed to do more than move piles of peanut shells around on a smooth concrete floor. I guess I'll find out when I put it to use.
Thanks to everyone for the advice and thoughts.

 

[nybirdman]

Here is a picture of the 72in.HD roundback bucket for the 854 loader.I was in the process of adding a grapple.Markam tooth bar,I reinforce the top and rolled to allow the thumb to close.