reinforcing L2235 bucket

[baldyhunter]

Hello everyone...first post
I just bought an MX5200 with loader. Got what I feel is a very good deal on it as it was used on the dealer lot to help load etc for 7 hours. The only downside is it came as priced with the light materials bucket....I would have ordered the heavy duty if it was a standard new tractor deal. I use the bucket pretty hard and with the horse power these get I'm thinking I'm going to wreck this poor thing quickly. My neighbor has pretty much the same bucket (just a pin on) on a L3240 and the bottom and top lip are both rough...if 32 HP can do that (and he uses it similarly as I will), what will 55 HP do? I understand that is oversimplified as HP doesn't necessarily equate to operating pressures etc. But I'd like some ideas on how other members may have reinforced their light duty buckets. I can stick weld and am already planning a few weld on chain hooks. Looking for ideas on how to reinforce the top and bottom lips....maybe the bottom of the bucket as well. Pics would be awesome. I've been doing a lot of reading. This site seems very helpfull.
Thanks ahead
Ken

 

[rswyan]

Don't have any pics to hand, but if I can remember I'll snap some tomorrow.

Here's what was done on the 5' light materials bucket on our B2910 (30 hp):

Dealer used 1/4" x 2" or 3" (I think) plate on the bottom of the bucket for wear strips - one each all the way across the front and rear, and then a number of pieces (4 ?) running front to rear (one each on the outside edges, and a couple in the middle)

Later on down the road, I took a piece of 1/4" x 1 1/2" angle and welded that across the top edge of the bucket, which was formed from the factory so that it was rolled back around 150 degrees (?), essentially boxing in the top edge. Was done to reinforce the top and provide a place to mount hinge brackets for a bucket grapple (which I never did)

Tractor has around 1750 hours on it, with a lot of loader time ... including tearing out around 800' of asphalt driveway.

Bucket has held up well, although the front bottom edge has a slight bow in it that I could take out with a torch ... if I ever got around to it.

 

[baldyhunter]

Good post thanks. That was along the lines I was thinking. I'd rather take the time to reinforce it now than try and bend it straight later. Looking at it today I just can't imagine it standing up to hard use.

 

[kcender]

Welcome to TBN.I did something similar a while back,look at http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/215114-bucket-lip.html?highlight=.This was when I had an L3240.The L45 I have now comes standard with a heavy duty bucket.

 

[rswyan]

Good post thanks.

You're quite welcome.

That was along the lines I was thinking. I'd rather take the time to reinforce it now than try and bend it straight later.

Yup.

Looking at it today I just can't imagine it standing up to hard use.

If you reinforce it I think you'll find it to be pretty durable if you're at least somewhat careful.

I think mine got the slight bow in the bottom from trying to push over standing trees without having the toothbar installed ... and that was even with the bottom reinforced from the dealer.

Definitely take a look at what kcender did with the top of his - it's a first rate job - and needed when you have a full bucket of any loose material that contains stones or rocks at full height.

My dealer did something kinda along those lines after I asked about the hoods on his rental units which were all stone chipped when I was initially shopping for a tractor. He took a piece of 3/8" x 5" plate a little wider than the width of the tractor hood and welded it the top lip of my bucket.

The thickness (3/8") is actually overkill and it not being the full width of the bucket is less than ideal. Cutting it off and replacing it with something lighter that is full width is on my list of "upgrades" ... maybe 10 gauge x 6" tall.

 

[baldyhunter]

Welcome to TBN.I did something similar a while back,look at http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/215114-bucket-lip.html?highlight=.This was when I had an L3240.The L45 I have now comes standard with a heavy duty bucket.

Wow that is nice! Beautiful welds. Top lip is SOLID. Did you do anything to reinforce the bottom? If you haven't have you had any issues. ....is it still straight?

 

[kcender]

Wow that is nice! Beautiful welds. Top lip is SOLID. Did you do anything to reinforce the bottom? If you haven't have you had any issues. ....is it still straight?

I didn't reinforce the bottom but it would have been much easier,just weld on strips of metal.When I did replace the cutting edge I used a heavier one than the original.The original one wore out after about 800 hours.At one point I did put a dent in the bottom of the bucket but I was able to pound it out.I thought about adding plates to the bottom but I sold the tractor.The standard buckets are very tough but they can be distorted with enough abuse.Another thing to consider is adding a bolt on cutting edge.That will help to strengthen the bottom of the bucket and make it easier to replace the cutting edge,if necessary.

 

[muskoka kubota guy]

I installed a 1/4 inch angle iron to support bucket hooks, then later installed a home made tooth bar based on the piranha style. I believe these will shore up the bucket as well.

 

[4570Man]

My L3240 already has the heavy duty bucket on it. Even with enough ballast to bring the weight to over 8,000 pounds I have been unable to bend it. The grapple hasn't faired so well. If I was going to reinforce it I would weld 3/8 plate across every edge. Your tractor doesn't weigh any more than a L3240 and with equal ballets and tires you can't push any harder than a L3240 just faster. A tooth bar does reinforce the bucket, but with the added leverage it is a wash.