Inexpensive toothbar (do they exist)????

[kwolfe]

I have a bx1500 and would love to have one, however funds have been tight lately and cannot justify spending $300. The need has risen lately because I am digging a fairly large whole to put in an inground kiddie pool (approx 9' across). I got have dug up about 8" with the loader, but onnce I hit the harder clay and rocks, the FEL was useless. I have begun using a railroad pick and shovel, however it will take a long time that way.

I have been looking for a used bar, but cannot find one. I could by all the shanks and teeth, but I don't weld. I wish I could find a local TBN buddy that would work for beer I looked at some of the other posts that use sickle bar rock guards, however thesae are made of cast iron and am not sure how they would hold to to prying up rocks.

Any suggestions? If I can get my hands on one soon, you will be seeing a "Building Inground Kiddie Pool" thread coming up soon.

 

[jbrumberg]

kwolfe:

I see from your profile that you have a box blade. I suggest that you drop your BB's scarifiers down and use it in combinaton with your FEL. It will save your back. Jay

 

[texasjohn]

Yep, FEL isn't REALLY ment to dig a hole in the ground.... at least not real easy.

I suggest you use the scarifiers, all or just a few, depending on how the tractor responds, to tear up the ground... go back and forth in a "cross hatch" pattern to tear up chunks, them pick chunks up with FEL. That should beat pick and shovel.

 

[shaley]

So what size bucket do you have? 48"

 

[SOS]

I've been using subsoiler to tear up the ground and then going back with the FEL. The subsoiler cost me about $120. I don't dig very deep with it -- about 5 to 10 inches at a time over a wide area. I do not own a tooth bar so I'm not sure how well this would help.... Good luck on your decision.

 

[wushaw]

The BoxBlade is you best digging tool of what you have on hand.

 

[kwolfe]

shaley,
Yes, the bucket is 48". Do you happen to have a spare?

jbrumberg,
I have used the rippers to loosen up some of the material, however I am at the point where I do not have the room to manuver the box around enough. Plus, by the time I get the rippers down, I am almost out of the hole.

My goal is not to tear up a 20' by 20' area to dig a hole that is 9' in diameter. That is why I thought a tooth bar would help me break up and scoop up the dirt in the hole/pit.

Not to mention, I would like to have a tooth bar.

 

[jbrumberg]

kwolfe:

I can relate - Jay

 

[hazmat]

I think this is about the cheapest you are going to find

markham welding should be $250 +/-. Solidly built, replaceable teeth, UPS shipping to your door. I have one on my TC18 - very hapy. It makes a huge, huge difference.

 

[shaley]

I'll be glad to weld one up for you if you pay for the parts. I takes about and hour.
Guys on Ebay have the Heavy duty cast series 23 cast teeth for $5.40 ea
eBay: Bucket Teeth John Deere backhoe Caterpillar Shank Qty 6 (item 220108562631 end time May-09-07 06:15:00 PDT)
And the shanks are $55 for 6ea + $15 shipping but most dealers have the shanks for about 12ea and you could buy just as many as you needed. I recommend 5ea.
eBay: Bucket Teeth John Deere backhoe Caterpillar Shank Qty 6 (item 220108562631 end time May-09-07 06:15:00 PDT)
I'm going to the scrap yard this week and I can find the flat bar or buy it at the trailer repair shop.
Here is a pic of my 6ft bar