Weld on teeth for TLB front bucket

slan · Feb 13, 2010

I want to put some teeth on my front bucket of my Ford 655 and was wondering, Do I just get some weld on teeth and weld then directly to the cutting edge?
My bucket doesn't have a bolt on cutting edge but when I got it (6 years ago) I put on a new arrowhead weld on cutting edge on it. Its about have worn now so do I just weld right to the cutting edge?
Pictures would help if anyone has any.

Thanks guys.....

thatguy · Feb 13, 2010

Do you ever use your FEL for anything that would be hendered by the teeth? Some things would not be possible with permanent teeth - ie scraping a paved driveway..

They make bolt on tooth bars that are easily removed (2 bolts) when you dont need it.. Markham is one of the more popular mfg..

good luck

brian

AKfish · Feb 13, 2010

What's that 655 weigh? 21-22K?

I don't think I've seen a bolt-on that would stand-up to that size machine...

I'd ONLY weld onto the cutting edge. When it goes and you'll need a new one - wouldn't want to have to cut the teeth off the main bucket.

'Course a bolt-on could be welded and it would make the spacing and the level of the teeth more uniform and less likely to shift with heat, etc. Just never seen one before.

Or get another bucket. Can't back-drag for beans with those teeth!

AKfish

LBrown59 · Feb 13, 2010

Welding it on would sure make it a bear to remove and install.

slan · Feb 13, 2010

Thanks guys.
Yup, its a beast for sure, about 105hp and about 20,000 lbs

Since I got my small kubota I dont need it for finish work anymore so once the teeth were on I would never need to take them off. If I needed to backdrag I could use the heal edge of the bucket.

I just need a bit more digging power when loading from a topsoil or sandstone piles after they have sat for a few years. I pretty much have to break them apart with the hoe first unless I do the rookie thing and ram into them

So I guess the best approach would be to weld them on to the cutting edge.
The bucket is 1.5YD and 7' wide. What do you think, 12" or 8" apart?

By the time they are worn out the machine will be a bunch of parts or someone else will own it. The thing has been the best piece of equipment I have ever owned. And wow, it a Ford!

Bought it out of a snowbank about 8 years ago with 4500hrs for $11,000 delivered and now have 8400hrs with only a rebuilt fuel injection pump as repairs go.

Its not worth splitting it and replacing the clutch packs or pins/bushings so i will be driving it into the ground.

Thanks guys.

tlbuser · Feb 15, 2010

If yu want to make a permanent addition, get weld on shanks with replaceable teeth. Add side cutters too. Any heavy equipment dealer can get them for you. I have had pretty good luck with parts here: Ground Engaging Tools - Heavyquip parts inventory of Ground Engaging Tools