FEL -- Why is a toothbar helpful?

[Anonymous Poster]

I've been reading the forum trying to determine what tractor to purchase, a BX 2200 or a JD 2210.

I've decided to include a FEL. However, since I haven't used a FEL in a looong time, I decided to post my question here.

Question: I thought a FEL didn't really dig per se, rather it scooped. Why is a toothbar helpful if not digging? I mentioned this to the dealer and he said that a FEL on a BX 2200 didn't need a toothbar.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance

hoss

 

[Bird]

I think you had it right to start with. If you're just scooping up loose material, you don't need a toothbar, but if you need to dig much at all, then the toothbar is a tremendous help.

 

[MossRoad]

Think of it this way.... ever try to push a flat shovel against hard soil? Then you switched to a pointy nosed shovel and it worked much better. Works the same way... the teeth break up the soil before the leading edge of the bucket gets there. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[perrycounty]

Why is a toothbar helpful if not digging?

Being relatively new to this forum I realize that there are others that are far more qualified to answer this question, that said, I added a toothbar to my loader.
Just recently I was able to loosen and move some extremely hard soil and stone in a matter of minutes, which would have been impossible with the FEL alone and would have taken hours by hand.
I'm sure as time goes on I will find many more uses for this attachment.. I already have my eye on alot of undergrowth and multi-flora roses that needed removed.
The toothbar will not turn your FEL into a backhoe, as it was never intended to do so, but for the money the toothbar is an invaluable attachment that gives the FEL added versatility, and best of all it can be removed in minutes..
There are a number of posts on this very topic, do a search and read for yourself.. There is a wealth of information here!

Jeff

B2410
60"MMM
FEL w/toothbar
72" Woods Back Blade..

 

[Anonymous Poster]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( scooped. Why is a toothbar helpful if not digging? I mentioned this to the dealer and he said that a FEL on a BX 2200 didn't need a toothbar.

What are your thoughts?
)</font>

My dealer for my BX2200 told me the same thing. I didn't buy one and have just finished digging out an old above ground pool bed of mostly stone dust and dead sand. Worked fine even on the spots where the weed / grass cover had grown over. I have also used it for digging out small trees and brush with pretty good success. I think it will make a difference what type of ground conditions you will encounter and what projects you hope to accomplish with the machine.

For me, the toothbar has not yet been necessary and would be undesirable for my snow removal and for next week when I fill the hole back in with fresh loam. If your goals are different than mine or you have tough rocky soil then a toothbar may be for you.

Either way, you will be amazed at what these little rigs can do! I know I am! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color="blue"> I thought a FEL didn't really dig per se, rather it scooped </font>

In a perfect world everything you wanted to move with your FEL would be loose and easily scooped up into the bucket. Unfortunately, most of us don't live in that world. I have to use my FEL to do some digging on a somewhat regular basis. I don't know what your needs are or uses will be.

<font color="blue"> Why is a toothbar helpful if not digging? </font>

If you're NOT digging a toothbar won't be helpful at all. If you're just trying to scoop up material from a concrete floor, for example, a toothbar will actually be a hinderance. You won't be able to get the front edge of your bucket down as low.

If you are, however, going to dig then a toothbar is a wonderful addition. I have a removeable toothbar and I use it on my bucket in the summer months for moving dirt, etc. In the winter I take out two bolts to remove it and can then use the bucket for snow removal. Without a toothbar I can get right down to the surface with the front edge.

To get a good picture of why a toothbar is an aid in digging, grab a handfull of soil and compact it into a real tight ball. Try to press the edge of a spoon into it and notice how much pressure it takes. Then try the same thing with the tines of a fork and see how much easier it is. That's why a lot of us have and like toothbars. One can increase the utility of your FEL many times IF you're going to use it to dig. If you aren't, then save the ~$300 for something else.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[BubbaJr]

Just today I used my toothbar to move a 40' wood power pole so I could move 4-10' walnut logs. I also used the toothbar to snag an old fence and rip it out of the dirt and brush. I also used it to help move brush to a new brush pile. On other occasions I have used it to dig out saplings, back drag through brush to clean it up, picked up my new 18 HP air compressor by sliding the toothbar under the pallet and using nylon straps to hold the top steady, then moved it where I needed to. I used it to slide under the pallet of my new generator, and with chains moved it off the back of the delivery truck. They are just like the FEL, you never imagined how useful they can be until you have one and think up new uses for it all the time. I'm sure I have forgotten a lot of uses for it. I have to admit that when I actually dig, I usually take the toothbar off, as the FEL usually digs better without it in my clay soil, when the moisture content is right.

 

[chim]

I made one that attaches with two bolts. For some applications it is very useful. For others it is a real problem. In about a minute, it can be on or off, so that's having the best of botyh worlds.

I moved a lot of crushed stone last year, and the toothless bucket was the only way to go. The toothbar simply didn't work on the larger ballast stone because rocks caught between the teeth. I had the smaller stone dumped in a pile on a paved drive. I used stone from the pile, and the teeth would not have allowed me to scrape "clean" into the pile.

We have a sand court volleyball setup that I can "cultivate" by backdragging with the toothbar with the bucket dumped all the way. Works great. I dug a fairly large hole to get rid of some critter burrows near my bridge. Having tried to dig without the toothbar didn't work. Moving downed tree limbs is easier with the teeth helping hold them on the bucket. Scratching up debris prior to bush hogging an uncharted area is helpful.......................chim

 

[GSS]

perrycounty, You'll love that toothbar for digging out multifloral rose. I'm at it now and it sure beats digging them with it! Makes a nice rake too to catch and drag the loose ones to the burn pile...

- Gerald

 

[Anonymous Poster]

GSS,

Was thinking about you today and wondering if you were using that toothbar!

Origninal poster:

I don't think it was mentioned in this thread, but the toothbar also makes the bottom lip of your bucket stronger. At least if it is one designed like the one I have. It slides over the bottom lip and really makes the bucket bottom lip bullet proof when pushing over small trees and so on.

My toothbar is held on with two 1 inch bolts. Comes off in a couple minutes if I want it off.

Best money I have ever spent.

Also...and I don't think this was mentioned in this thread either...you can't get more macho than a toothbar!!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif