Spencer's New Toothbar

   / Spencer's New Toothbar #1  

Spencer

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2002
Messages
1,270
Location
Western Michigan
Tractor
NH TC33D w/R4 Tires, Rear Remote, Hydraulic Toplink, 2 Auxiliary Work Lights, 7308 Loader w/Kasco Uni-Hitch (Quick Tach)
Spencer\'s New Toothbar

I have wanted to join the toothbar club here at TBN for some time now. I checked with my dealer but they didn't stock any toothbars. They could order one for me but I would be paying full list price plus freight and tax. I knew a lot of TBN'ers had ordered them over the internet/phone but I didn't ever get around to that for whatever reason.

I had to go on a business trip down to a southern state a few weeks ago. The people who owned the restaurant I was installing equipment into also owned a tractor dealership. I knew the chances were slim that they stocked any toothbars let alone one that would fit or could be modified to fit my particular bucket. I asked one of the owners anyway, he didn't know but he said the other owner would be the one to ask. When the other owner showed up he first said "no, we don't have any". A minute or two later he remembered that they did buy some from a dealership that had gone out of business. So I went down to the store and we went out back and sure enough there were three identical toothbars. I asked him how much I could steal one of them for and we went inside so he could look it up on the computer. He said "they list for $360, if I ordered one right now I would have to pay $230, how does $200 sound". I snatched up the deal even knowing that the toothbar was 2" too long for my bucket. I figured I could rework it or have it reworked and still be ahead of the game.

The main plate that the teeth are attached to is 3/4" thick. I would have had to make two cuts through that to remove a 2" section and then re-weld the bar back together. The cuts would have to be bevel cuts so that the bar could be welded all the way through. That would have been the easiest way to do it but then the teeth would not have been symmetrically spaced. It would not make the toothbar any less effective but having the teeth spaced unevenly would have driven me nuts (ya, I'm one of those people). I knew the best way to do the job was to cut two inches off of the center. Then cut the center tooth off of that. Re-weld the bar back together and weld the center tooth over top of the weld in the center of the bar. That way the teeth would be symmetrical and the weld holding the center tooth on would also reinforce the weld in the center of the bar.

I knew what I wanted done but I really didn't have the time and it would have definitely been pushing the limits of my metal working tools. So I took the toothbar over to a local welding shop to get an estimate. If I left the teeth in place and cut two inches out myself they would weld it back together for $20. If they cut it and welded it back together it would have been $40. Then I asked him how much to cut two inches off the center, cut the tooth off that piece, weld the bar back together, and weld the tooth back on top. He said that would be $60. So I left the toothbar with him and gave him a week to get it done. I knew the holiday weekend was coming up and I had a business trip after the weekend.

So a week went by and I stopped by to pick it up. The owner wasn't there but two of his employees were. I told them I was there to pick up a toothbar and they showed me where it was. I asked if they had a tape measurer so I could double check to see if it was the right size. The one kid said "59 3/4", right?. I did this one myself." I measured it and sure enough it was exactly 59 3/4" just like I requested (the inside of my bucket is 60"). As we loaded it up I noticed that the center tooth seemed to be in at least 1/4" from the rest of the teeth. I figured I would keep my mouth shut and just bring it home and check how it fit the bucket. Sure enough the center tooth was the only one that made contact with the cutting edge of the bucket, the other six teeth were at least 1/4" away. So I took it back and pulled up to the main door. The owner came out and said "59 3/4", right?" I told him that that measurement was perfect but the tooth was welded too far back. He took one look at it and saw exactly what I was talking about. You didn't need to get out a straight edge to notice it. So even though they were closing in two hours he promised me he would have it done by the end of the day, which he did (it was last Friday and I really wanted to use it over the weekend). Now almost all the teeth make contact with the cutting edge of the bucket. I didn't even have to modify the holes on the side of my bucket for the bolts. They were the perfect size and in the perfect location.

Here is a picture of the precious cargo. It's a good thing that was my last job for the trip or this would have gotten in the way.
 

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   / Spencer's New Toothbar
  • Thread Starter
#2  
Re: Spencer\'s New Toothbar

Here is a side view of the toothbar. The teeth stick out 6" from the front of the cutting edge of the bucket. Some toothbars I have seen here on TBN seem to have longer teeth but pictures can be deceiving.
 

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#3  
Re: Spencer\'s New Toothbar

Here it is mounted to my bucket. Wow, it looks like I have used that bucket a time or two.
 

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#4  
Re: Spencer\'s New Toothbar

This picture shows how much the toothbar has increased my bucket capacity. Before the toothbar was mounted I had a hard time getting the bucket full of material. The 7308 loaders normally have a 20 degree rollback angle. My rollback angle is only 15 degrees because of the Kasco Uni-Hitch and the Quick-Tach bucket I have.

If only I would have had these teeth while I was clearing the pole barn area. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Don't wait any longer! Get a toothbar now! Don't suffer like I have.
 

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   / Spencer's New Toothbar #5  
Re: Spencer\'s New Toothbar

OK, so how do we get at those two remaining bars they had?
 
   / Spencer's New Toothbar #6  
Re: Spencer\'s New Toothbar

I have one exactly like yours I bought new from a dealer to fit my 60 inch Kubota bucket. Its a heavy sucker but boy does it help with fel work. Its also great for rolling rocks and picking out stumps.
 
   / Spencer's New Toothbar
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Re: Spencer\'s New Toothbar

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( OK, so how do we get at those two remaining bars they had? )</font>

Mike, I know, when he said $200 I should have said I'll take all three (for my friends at TBN). They were doing me a favor because I was doing them a favor in their restaurant. I hope you all understand if I don't give out their name or location.
 
   / Spencer's New Toothbar #8  
Re: Spencer\'s New Toothbar

<font color="blue"> Don't wait any longer! Get a toothbar now! Don't suffer like I have. </font>

Real nice looking toothbar Spence and nice job with the modifications. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif And, I'd have to agree with Spence's assessment. For those who don't have a toothbar, this is one of the best investments you'd want to make to improve your FEL handling capabilities. It'll dig up submerged rocks, roots, small stumps, and is an incredible timesaver.

...Bob
 
   / Spencer's New Toothbar #9  
Re: Spencer\'s New Toothbar

Spence,

Just a suggestion here...but why not call them and ask them if they'd mind if you sent them business on the other two at $200 each? You might be surprised and find they'd rather turn those two bars to cash rather than wait for the next guy who happens to ask for one.

I wouldn't necessarily post their contact info here, but you could give their name and number out to the first couple people who send you a private message IF the dealer is OK with it.

Like I said, this is just a thought...but you might be able to help three people out here with just a phone call. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
   / Spencer's New Toothbar #10  
Re: Spencer\'s New Toothbar

Yeap. I am also new to the toothbar addition this summer and you are correct, it opens up a whole new use. Many of the tasks I would normally turn the tractor around and dig out with the backhoe I now can do with the loader. It is also very usefull and picking up that pile of brush as those teeth bite in. I also use mine to pull the pile back by just curling the bucket under slightly and just drag the surface of the dirt. It pulls all the brush back and then you can push it around or pick it up. Enjoy & nice job.
 
 
 
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