Recommended source for a QA Bucket

[indianaEPH]

I recently purchased a grapple bucket. That led me to converting the FEL to a QA system. I was going to convert my existing bucket to a QA by using a QA mounting plate. I started to do the conversion this weekend but I quickly determined that the the bucket would be compromised to much. The original pinned mount included a stiffening frame/braket which would be lost with the QA conversion. So I'm in the market for a new bucket.

Any suggestions for a good source? I'm in southern Indiana but I suspect I will need to get one shipped. I looked at Iowa farm Equipment and they look like they have a decent variety but I have not dealt with them in the past.

Everyone loves pictures so here is more grapple work today (rainy day)

Thanks

Ed

 

[daveinnh]

I had a local dealer weld an ATI quick-tach plate onto the old pin-mounted bucket. works fine, but you might try Woods or Quicke for a solution.

 

[k0ua]

I converted my Pin on to QA and it was not compromised in any way. If anything it is stronger now than it was with additional metal on top and with the plate welded onto the back..
BUT it was not real easy. It would be easier now for me to do it again., Much easier. The bucket you see in my Avatar is the original converted bucket. I also have a new 66 inch bucket too. But like the old one for heavy digging as it is narrower and stronger.
Perhaps this will help:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/208653-so-you-think-converting-pin.html

James K0UA

 

[indianaEPH]

I converted my Pin on to QA and it was not compromised in any way. If anything it is stronger now than it was with additional metal on top and with the plate welded onto the back..
BUT it was not real easy. It would be easier now for me to do it again., Much easier. The bucket you see in my Avatar is the original converted bucket. I also have a new 66 inch bucket too. But like the old one for heavy digging as it is narrower and stronger.
Perhaps this will help:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/208653-so-you-think-converting-pin.html

James K0UA

James:

THanks for pointing me to your link. THat was a lot of work. NIce job. I think it convinced me that buying a new one will be the right decision. I probably don't have the welding skill to pull it off.

 

[k0ua]

Well the welding was the fun part, and I am just a "baby" welder, the "unfun" part was the removal of those pin on ears.

You might look for a bucket here:

http://www.everythingattachments.co...ndard-Bkt-p/cal-bucket-gpc-1gpcmp-compact.htm

James K0UA

 

[roaf3x]

ATI makes really nice buckets. ATI Corporation - Home.

Not cheap but great quality.

Used buckets + welding+ brackey usually = the same as a new one and the height is right so the loader arms dont drag.

Good Luck.
RD

 

[jinman]

Ed, do you want a 5', 6', or 7' bucket? I'm guessing you'd like a 6' bucket and maybe a toothbar, but you didn't specify in your post. I just saw a beautiful brand new 7' QA std. bucket, 1 yd, on craigslist that was a dealer take-off on a skidsteer. They wanted only $950 for the bucket (not cheap). You can be sure that the skidsteer bucket was very strong. 7' would probably be large for digging, but awesome for spreading and backdragging loose soil or gravel.

 

[JB Farm]

Check out your local Bobcat dealer. That is were I recently bought mine. They have all kinds of skid-steer buckets, but they also have buckets for their line of CUT's. I bought a 6' bucket for their CUT's to go on my JD4520 and like it very much. It is heavier duty than the John Deere standard duty bucket and was similar to their heavy duty version. Best of all it was only $750 no shipping.


Best of luck
Brian

 

[amigauser]

A TBN sponsor Everything Attachments has some very nice Q/A buckets and they are priced well and include shipping in the price.

Construction Attachments General Purpose Compact Tractor, Loader, Standard Bucket, Universal Skid Steer Quick Attach, CAL, 1GPCMP

 

[jmc]

Did you want a compact tractor bucket with a Skid Steer type mount or did you want a skid steer bucket? The reason I ask is the SS buckets have a long bottom matched with the SS's heavy curling cylinders. Having that long of bottom on a compact tractor with their small curling cylinders would limit the bucket's leverage.