Front-End Loader Rock bucket toothbar FEL attachment ?

[bcarwell]

Does anyone know if there is an attachment for a FEL bucket that acts like the teeth part of a rock bucket (mounting on the lower edge of the FEL bucket kinda like a tooth bar but with the teeth extending out longer and closer together to capture the rocks on top of the teeth but let the dirt drop down between them just like a rock bucket) ?

Seems it would be cheaper than a rock bucket since its only the teeth and you would be using the FEL bucket to hold the captured rocks after periodically tipping the bucket upwards so the rocks roll off the teeth into the FEL bucket.

Rock buckets are too expensive, yet I've become convinced that they are the only way I'm going to efficiently get my fieldstone out of my pastures-to-be. I have heard from too many people that York/landscape rakes just don't cut it (especially for smaller 23HP tractors like mine).

I also think it would be pretty easy to cobble up a "rock bucket tooth bar" that would mount on the lower FEL bucket edge. Anybody done that and have any picutres ?

Thanks.

Bob

 

[MrJimi]

Do you mean lika tooth bar with longer teeth?

 

[bcarwell]

Yes, exactly. A tooth bar with longer teeth. And the only other difference is, unlike most tooth bars I've seen where the teeth are may 6-8 inches apart, the teeth on what I'm hunting for would be closer together like on a rock bucket- maybe 3 inches apart to catch stones 3 inches or larger in diameter but let the dirt fall through between the teeth to the ground, just like a rock bucket.

So, basically I'm looking for a tooth bar I could strap on my FEL bucket to turn it into a rock bucket- alot cheaper than a rock bucket. No sense in paying for a bucket again when I've already got it in the FEL bucket. And the other main advantage to what I'm proposing is you don't have to take the FEL bucket off to mount a rock bucket or mount a rock bucket on the 3PH where you can't see what you're doing. I'd like to have the visibility of catching the rocks into the FEL bucket from the FRONT where I can see what I'm catching....

Bob

 

[DDT]

This is what I use with great success. I hope the link is right.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/49128-root-rock-bucket.html

 

[bcarwell]

DDT,
I just responded to your reply in my other thread on removing field stone (before I started this one when I thought of a rockbucket FEL toothbar which you anticipated).
Great work ! I'm now convinced that's EXACTLY what I need. In my other response to you I asked what model wire welder you used for your grapple bucket, as I need to buy a welder to fab your rockbucket and had always thought maybe those wire welders (and MIG) might give "pretty" welds but maybe not be capable of welding steel thick enough for these type fab projects at least without multiple passes.
After I've had a chance to digest all the appends and yours in particular I might have a few questions on BOTH your rockbucket toothbar AND your grappler bucket (which I also love). You do terrific work !

Grateful, Bob

 

[Glowplug]

I know you said you didn't want to buy another bucket. But I would definately check out the Markham Rock Bucket. It is a bucket with the tines spaced closely to catch the rocks but also has teeth like a toothbar to increase the digging capability. If I had a lot of rocks to get rid of this is definately what I would get.

 

[bcarwell]

Glowplug,
THANX for calling this to my attention ! Even if I decide to fab rather than purchase, I understand what you're saying- best of both worlds. A wider spaced "normal" tooth bar to break everything up (scarify ?) and uproot rocks while at the same time filtering the dirt out and catching the rocks with the closer spaced grid.
Now, if this was combined with a grabber thumb on the top, I'd really have something !
And it appears if I don't need to pick up rocks, the tooth bar would act as a normal one for just breaking things up.
Actually I was thinking maybe I could make a tooth bar that bolted on my FEL bucket with teeth that were longer (to serve as a rock bucket) AND were of adjustable spacing between each tooth, so it could serve (1) with widely spaced teeth, as a normal tooth bar, and then (2) after adjusting to move the teeth closer, could serve as the rock bucket. But this design you showed me does both. Only downside obviously being it still require removing the FEL bucket. But given I've got 20 acres to do, seems it might well be worth it...
Thanks again... Something to think about. I'm even happier now I didn't waste $350 on a Tractor Supply landscape rape er.. rake which I think I would have been very unhappy with...

Bob

Bob

 

[DDT]

bcarwell
I have a mig welder. ESOB 250amp. I run a roll of wire a year with it. It is rare I drag out the arc welder.

 

[Timber]

Does anyone know if there is an attachment for a FEL bucket that acts like the teeth part of a rock bucket (mounting on the lower edge of the FEL bucket kinda like a tooth bar but with the teeth extending out longer and closer together to capture the rocks on top of the teeth but let the dirt drop down between them just like a rock bucket) ?

Seems it would be cheaper than a rock bucket since its only the teeth and you would be using the FEL bucket to hold the captured rocks after periodically tipping the bucket upwards so the rocks roll off the teeth into the FEL bucket.

Rock buckets are too expensive, yet I've become convinced that they are the only way I'm going to efficiently get my fieldstone out of my pastures-to-be. I have heard from too many people that York/landscape rakes just don't cut it (especially for smaller 23HP tractors like mine).

I also think it would be pretty easy to cobble up a "rock bucket tooth bar" that would mount on the lower FEL bucket edge. Anybody done that and have any picutres ?

Thanks.

Bob

I think your talking about something like this. Another member on the board
made this for his BX. He did a nice job and the design is sound. I actually need to make one myself. I will modify the design to my tractor but never the less If you don't have the skill to do it yourself I couldn't be to bad to have 1 fabricated for you

 

[dirtworksequip]

If you have a large area to do, why not just get it ready for rock picking and then rent a tracked skidsteer with a rockhound attachment and then go to town. You would have it done way faster and a better finished job with the rockhound than chasing rocks with some sort of rock bucket. The rockhound will get all the rocks where with the rock bucket they are going to be a lot slipping thru. Also on uneven ground the rock bucket is going to be tough to use. The main advantage with the rockhound is once you run over ther area it will be ready for reseeding. The reason I suggested a tracked skidsteer over a rubber tired one is it will be more stable on slopes and uneven ground. You could go with a rubber tired one with steel tracks over rubber,but it will tend to tear up your finished grade more than one of the rubber tracked skidsteers.