Rock Bucket Questions

   / Rock Bucket Questions #1  

CurlyDave

Elite Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2005
Messages
4,287
Location
Grants Pass, OR
Tractor
JD TLB 110
Has anyone ever used a rock bucket on a FEL, and how well did it work?

My property is about 20-30% rocks by volume. There is an occasional washing maching sized one, but for the most part they are bowling ball size down to baseball size. I would leave the really big ones alone, but there are plenty of small-medium ones.

If I could sift the rocks out, not only would it improve the soil, but I could use the rocks as a base for extending my driveway.

I have a JD 110 TLB which could easily pick up a third to a half a cubic yard of dirt at a time, and if the bucket worked as advertised it would seem to be a good idea.

Also, some of them can have a grapple attached to handle brush.

But, before I spend $1500-$2000 on a bucket, and even more on a grapple, I want to know if anyone has tried them and did they work?
 
   / Rock Bucket Questions
  • Thread Starter
#2  
Has anyone ever used a rock bucket on a FEL, and how well did it work?

My property is about 20-30% rocks by volume. There is an occasional washing maching sized one, but for the most part they are bowling ball size down to baseball size. I would leave the really big ones alone, but there are plenty of small-medium ones.

If I could sift the rocks out, not only would it improve the soil, but I could use the rocks as a base for extending my driveway.

I have a JD 110 TLB which could easily pick up a third to a half a cubic yard of dirt at a time, and if the bucket worked as advertised it would seem to be a good idea.

Also, some of them can have a grapple attached to handle brush.

But, before I spend $1500-$2000 on a bucket, and even more on a grapple, I want to know if anyone has tried them and did they work?
 
   / Rock Bucket Questions #3  
I just purchased an MDS 5' rock bucket from a place here in Portland.
Here's a link
It is supposed to arrive on Wed. (6/7/06).
The pricing worked out like this:
$1400 for the bucket
$330 for the JD 300CX mount
$347 shipping

I'll let you know how it goes!

My rocks are between golf ball and bowling ball, with an occasional beach ball (all smooth round river rocks). The tine spacing on the 5' light duty bucket is 1 3/4". If you have bigger rocks and/or a bigger tractor than me, the medium duty with 2 1/2" spacing might work better for you.

I got a slightly better quote from Houle, a pretty much identical looking bucket, but decided to go with a local reseller.
 
   / Rock Bucket Questions #4  
I just purchased an MDS 5' rock bucket from a place here in Portland.
Here's a link
It is supposed to arrive on Wed. (6/7/06).
The pricing worked out like this:
$1400 for the bucket
$330 for the JD 300CX mount
$347 shipping

I'll let you know how it goes!

My rocks are between golf ball and bowling ball, with an occasional beach ball (all smooth round river rocks). The tine spacing on the 5' light duty bucket is 1 3/4". If you have bigger rocks and/or a bigger tractor than me, the medium duty with 2 1/2" spacing might work better for you.

I got a slightly better quote from Houle, a pretty much identical looking bucket, but decided to go with a local reseller.
 
   / Rock Bucket Questions #5  
I too have the "Rock" problem on my property in Calaveras County here in CA.
What I've done was buy a used bucket and mounted it on my JD 4210. When I get the time, I plan on welding on some teeth then use my plasma cutter and cut slots in the bottom of the bucket so when I scoop, the bucket will hold the rocks and the dirt will shift thru the slots.
I paid $100 for the bucket. I estimate the cost for a set of teeth around $100.
I'll post pics when I get it finished.
 
   / Rock Bucket Questions #6  
I too have the "Rock" problem on my property in Calaveras County here in CA.
What I've done was buy a used bucket and mounted it on my JD 4210. When I get the time, I plan on welding on some teeth then use my plasma cutter and cut slots in the bottom of the bucket so when I scoop, the bucket will hold the rocks and the dirt will shift thru the slots.
I paid $100 for the bucket. I estimate the cost for a set of teeth around $100.
I'll post pics when I get it finished.
 
   / Rock Bucket Questions #7  
Seon,
Now that is a serious rock problem, enough to make me get up and run in the opposite direction. You have your work cut out for you.
Farwell
 
   / Rock Bucket Questions #8  
Seon,
Now that is a serious rock problem, enough to make me get up and run in the opposite direction. You have your work cut out for you.
Farwell
 
   / Rock Bucket Questions
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Equipmentland was one of the companies on my short list, so I am very interested to hear how yours works out.

Did they give you any indication of the relative durability between the "light duty" and "medium duty" versions?
 
   / Rock Bucket Questions
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Equipmentland was one of the companies on my short list, so I am very interested to hear how yours works out.

Did they give you any indication of the relative durability between the "light duty" and "medium duty" versions?
 
 
 
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