Smaller Skid Steer Bucket for SKR165 ML265 Loader

[awill99]

Looking for smallest Skid Steer bucket I can find for my Mahindra 6500 4WD ML265 loader. The loader is made by KMW Loaders for Mahindra. Anybody know of a KMW or aftermarket bucket that will fit? I suspect 48 " is maybe smallest that will fit due to support arms but would look at any size smaller than the stock 78" wide bucket.
Attached is picture of my Loader.

 

[idaho2]

I have a set of SSQA forks from SkidSteerSolutions.com out of Bellingham, WA. They have a tractor section and may have what your looking for. On my 5530 I have the ML266, you have a special application for the smaller size bucket?

idaho2

 

[DavesTractor]

I think about a 54" would be the smallest made for the skid-steer connect system. Any smaller would be a different connection system. Many dealers have take-off skc buckets, because when a guy buys a tractor with a 4-n-1 a dealer will generate an extra bucket. I think I have a 60" and a 67" in stock and I bet you have a local dealer that has some as well. Or check a Bobcat dealer or any dealer that sells skid steers of any brand. Rental companies sell off old buckets as well, like United Rentals. The nice thing is that you have a standard connection system so you are not forced to shop only one brand.

I've never had anyone ask for a smaller bucket....what's up?

 

[awill99]

Hi Dave,
I am in hard black clay soil and been planting a lot of fruit and shade trees. I find that they grow much faster if I use FEL to dig out clay about 36in deep and 60 in wide and I want a narrower width to do that with. I add a busted up bale of hay to pile of dirt and clods and use a 7 ft tiller to mix hay and dirt and break up clods and then push conditioned dirt back in hole and then plant tree. Not only does it allow the roots to expand faster but it also allows more rain storage during the chronic drought summers.I also bury the neighborhood small animals as they pass on. Last year I had 2 year old fruit trees planted that way that produced 85-100% as much fruit as 4 year old trees of the same type and variety(have over 40 fruit trees in orchard and still planting more).

 

[DavesTractor]

Hi Dave,
I am in hard black clay soil and been planting a lot of fruit and shade trees. I find that they grow much faster if I use FEL to dig out clay about 36in deep and 60 in wide and I want a narrower width to do that with. I add a busted up bale of hay to pile of dirt and clods and use a 7 ft tiller to mix hay and dirt and break up clods and then push conditioned dirt back in hole and then plant tree. Not only does it allow the roots to expand faster but it also allows more rain storage during the chronic drought summers.I also bury the neighborhood small animals as they pass on. Last year I had 2 year old fruit trees planted that way that produced 85-100% as much fruit as 4 year old trees of the same type and variety(have over 40 fruit trees in orchard and still planting more).

Well that makes sense, you are using it as a digging bucket. Might be good to get one with teeth on it as well. I bet you can get a half worn out skid steer bucket at a rental yard. 60" should be easy to find, much smaller might be tough. It would not be hard to narrow a bucket down with a plasma cutter, just make it the width of your loader arms plus an inch or two. Cool idea. Do remember to be careful when you turn a loader (meant to pick up loose soil and such) into a digger or dozer.

 

[flusher]

Looking for smallest Skid Steer bucket I can find for my Mahindra 6500 4WD ML265 loader. The loader is made by KMW Loaders for Mahindra. Anybody know of a KMW or aftermarket bucket that will fit? I suspect 48 " is maybe smallest that will fit due to support arms but would look at any size smaller than the stock 78" wide bucket.
Attached is picture of my Loader.

Get some bucket teeth pronto to dig in that clay. Otherwise you risk putting a permanent twist in the arms of your FEL.

Are you planting the 15 acres or the 145 acres? If the latter, I'd rent a backhoe and not expose your FEL to potential damage.

Good luck.

 

[awill99]

The bulk of the trees are planted. Have multiple types of Plum, Apple, Peach, Pear, Apricot, Nectarine, Fig, Pomegranate, and Kiwi mostly Dwarf and Semidwarf plus grapes and blackberries. Still planting ornamentals around farm.

 

[Xfaxman]

48" is the smallest I have seen, the SSQA is 44" wide, so that would be the minimum unless you go to a stump bucket.


48" Utility Skid Steer Bucket

Since you are planting trees, check this out.

24 Inch Tree Scoop

 

[awill99]

Finally decided to buy a Skid Steer 3 pt adapter and use a heavy duty 36 in 3 pt bucket I already had. I will just take it easy when I have to dig a hole.
Thanks to all of you for the help.

 

[paulharvey]

I have seen specialty buckets as small as 1 cubic foot on a bobcat. Bucket was on the left 3/4 of the plate and was used to portion and load sand in a mixer/pump with light weight concrete. It may have been special made for this application but they do exist.