Kubota BX - Large Bucket

[s915460]

I recently purchased Ai2's large light weight material bucket for my Kubota BX25 to distribute mulch...

This bucket reduced the amount of time by half...

Normally it would take me approximately 45-60 minutes with the standard Kubota BX25 bucket...

But with Ai2's light weight material bucket... it now takes me 20-30 minutes...

Below is link to Ai2's website... click on Products in the upper middle of the screen...
Ai2 Products –

P.S. - I also, purchased the quick attach and rock bucket... well worth the money...

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

They have some interesting stuff. I really like their trailer hitch.

 

[rsr025]

I have a BX2370. I was often frustrated by the limited capacity of the loader bucket. This was especially true when moving lighter weight materials such as sawdust, snow, mulch, composted manure, etc. I researched other large capacity / bulk material buckets, but I didn't want to get into a completely different bucket. Not only because of the nearly $1000.00 price tag, but because the cutting edge of a larger bucket would tend to project further out than the factory bucket, I was afraid that it would limit roll back and break out force.
So in my case I decided to fabricate a 3/16 plate into a spill guard for the bucket. I simply went to my local steel supplier and bought a piece of 3/16 x 8" x 48" plate. I had them make a 45 deg. bend 3" from one edge. I then used C clamps to hold the plate in the bucket so I could measure for the holes.
I used a Hypertherm Powermax 45XP to make the holes and radius the corners. I used circle template of approximately 7/16 to burn the holes through both the fabricated plate and the bucket top at the same time. I then cleaned up the holes with a 1/2 drill bit. This guaranteed alignment when installing the 1/2 fasteners.
I've already used the bucket a few time to place manure in my garden. Maybe it does only increase the bucket capacity by a little mare than one sq/ft. , but the added benefit is that it does prevent material from falling on the hood. I am able to roll the bucket far enough forward that it doesn't interfere with the chain hooks. But in the event that I did want to remove the plate, it would only take a couple of minutes.
Total price for materials and the 45 deg bend was, $35.00 I spent about 2 hours of labor drilling and painting.

 

[s915460]

Thanks for idea/pictures RSR025... and I think I will fabricate/add this to both of my buckets...

Also, here is Tony's new website (AI2 BX attachments)... for anyone interested...

Ai2 Products –

 

[coldsteelva]

How are you supposed to use the bucket hooks now? Are you going to take the 'shield' on and off? Drape the chain over it?

 

[rsr025]

The bucket will actually roll forward far enough so as not to contact the spill guard during a vertical lift. But, I do like having the option to remove the plate if I like. It literally only takes a few minutes to remove the fasteners, and the plate is only about 20 lbs or so.

 

[check]

I use the bxpanded.com Bucket Expander, which currently lists out at $339. It doubles the heaped capacity of my FEL, and I put it on every fall for moving winter snow. It only takes a couple of minutes to take it off. Then in the spring I take it off and bolt on the pirhana Tooth Bar. .

 

[wawajake]

I also just expanded the top of the bucket a bit and the sides, originally it was just for snow, but I have left it on for everything. The same bolts that hold the tooth bar on , hold it on, it can be used with or without the tooth bar of course . Cost maybe $60, most was scrap metal I had , just had to buy the side steel .