How custom are markham toothbars?

[rebelmedic]

I`ve been wanting/needing a toothbar.Due to the good information available here I now wish to buy a Markham toothbar. My 6ft bucket has factory drilled 5/8 holes in the sides.The backside of the holes are 8inches from cutting edge.Will Markam build the toothbar to match the existing holes?

 

[westbrooklawn]

I can't speak for Markham, but my guess is that they would custom build what you want. I know when I got my toothbar for my L3400 w/L463 FEL (60" bucket), they offerred their standard 6 tooth toothbar... I wanted 7 teeth, and they custom built it that way for a slight additional charge... NO PROBLEM... and excellent folks to deal with.

 

[IslandTractor]

The challenge here is that it would be extremely difficult for you to measure the precise distance and height of the holes in reference to where the toothbar would fit. To get a proper fit the 1/2 inch holes in bucket side and toothbar tab need to be almost exact which is why most people would mount the toothbar then drill the holes in the bucket using the toothbar tabs as a guide. It is not simply a matter of careful measurement. You need to know how the toothbar snugs up to the FEL cutting edge and that is frankly not something you can measure until you've mounted the toothbar on the lip and whacked it a few times with a hunk of wood or mallet to seat it. I suppose they might be able to send you the toothbar with the tabs undrilled but that would seem risky as you'd still need to make sure it was close enough in the height from bucket bottom measurement that a hole would be centered (or nearly so) on the tab.

However, certainly give Markham a call to discuss your request. They are very helpful. But...watch out you don't fall in love with the receptionist. Or maybe it's just Yankees that are so smitten by her voice. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Highbeam]

The chances of them getting the holes just right is very slim. I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment. The thing is you want a pretty perfect fit. Any slop in the connection and the mving TB will doink the cutting edge and not enough slop will make it impossible to mount.

You want everything very tight and precise.

 

[jinman]

I think its very likely that Markham already has the dimensions of your NH bucket. I'd give them a set of measurements, but the way the toothbar is made, the side hole is a slot cut out of the toothbar support. When you put the toothbar on, you bolt through the slot and it holds everything very snugly in place. Mine has never moved in over a year of very hard digging. It could only move when I am backdragging anyhow.

So I'd say that Markham will probably have your dimension already when you tell them the bucket brand and size, but take some measurements and have them ready just in case. I bet you'll get a toothbar with slots. Mine from my NH dealer did and it looks just like the Markham bars. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Highbeam]

"the side hole is a slot cut out of the toothbar support."

The Markham toothbar does not come with slots. A single hole on each side with a very close fit to the provided bolt. I am glad it isn't slotted because that would provide slop in the mounting which could doink the bucket over time.

 

[Bedlam]

I am considering getting one also. does anyone know how the tooth spacing is?And how many teeth would be on a 60"bucket?How about the carver equipment bar? http://www.carverequipment.com/tooth_bars.htm
Any thoughts of that brand?
Also any thoughts or experience with the teeth loosening and loosing the teeth?I have lost backhoe teeth like that until I welded them on. but I suspect that there wouldnt be as much movement etc with the teeth on the loader bucket as with a backhoe bucket.
Thanks
Al

 

[3RRL]

Not only would it be extremely difficult to get the location exact,
"</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I suppose they might be able to send you the toothbar with the tabs undrilled but that would seem risky as you'd still need to make sure it was close enough in the height from bucket bottom measurement that a hole would be centered (or nearly so) on the tab.)</font>"
It would be easier to drill the holes in the bucket than those side tabs on the toothbar. The bucket sidewalls are a lot thinner than the toothbar tabs.

But I agree, a phone call could clear things up for you...

 

[rebelmedic]

I appreciate everyones input.I`ll give Markham a call.

jinman,I tried one new holland dealer and was told they did`nt have tooth bar for my bucket. I might also call another New Holland dealer