Toothbar idea

[OldJD]

I've got a bucket of old railroad spikes in my shop. Has anybody used RR spikes to make a toothbar? My Gehl skid steer has a 54" bucket and I plan to get some 1/2" flat stock for a structural member and weld the spikes on at downward angle. From other postings, it appears that a bolt or two in the center, in addition to bolts at each end, will reduce the likelihood of twisting the bar.

Each RR spike is about 7 inches long and about 3/4" square with two edges beveled to a point.

Will the RR spikes be stout enough? My loader has a specified lifting capacity of 800 pounds.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

 

[Defective]

Heck...even if the spikes fail to hold up...not much cost to try.

I'd do it. I'll wait patiently for the results as I have a few kicking around myself.

 

[KiotiJohn]

Many of the toothbars are made such that a "v" shape goes over the cutting edge for extra stability. One bolt at each end is all that is needed. I'd put your spikes on an angle that goes over the cutting edge, then you don't need to cut any more bolt holes, but I think they would be tough enough to do some work. John

 

[PineRidge]

I don't know how you would stabilize them over the edge of the bucket so they could do the most work. But since you have them I think it's a good idea to give it a shot. I hope they work out for your needs. If you get it welded up pease post a picture or two.

 

[accordionman]

SIR,
have you looked at a tooth bar? it is
made so the edge of the bucket takes
the force of digging. they do this by
cutting a notch in the back of the bar.
this fits onto the edge of the bucket.
on mine, the teeth are held by welding
them onto a 1/2in by 3in steel strap.
these are secured only on the ends, by
a 3/4in bolt.
accordionman
wlbrown

 

[MFChief]

I can't remember who, but a few months ago someone posted pictures of his homemade toolbar in which he welded two plates together to capture the edge of the bucket. He then welded the non-V notched teeth to that. It looked good in the pictures and he said it was holding up well in use. I think that method would probably work with the R/R spikes.
Terry

 

[chim]

This may be what you're thinking of. Here's a thread from way back when my bucket looked new.............chim

Old Toothbar story

 

[kraigWY]

Don't know about tooth bar but I made a rake using railroad spikes. I got a large screen, and drove the spikes through the screeen, I used large washers on each side of the screen then tack welded the washers to the spikes. Its about 3 foot deep and 7 foot wide. It makes one great rake for large pastures.

 

[varmint]

Last year, I made a toothbar from a steel bar (3/8" x 3" ) and some forged combine teeth- it's worked fine, even digging in rocky gravel that's too hard to shovel by hand, but I have it on a modestly sized CUT with only 650 lbs of lift capacity... here's a picture of it, once again:

 

[varmint]

and from below: