BX24 Need recommendations for Bolt On Edge and Bolt on Hook

[mswlogo]

This is my first tractor. Only used it like 20hrs or so in the late fall so far.

First, do I need a bolt on cutting edge? Seems like a good idea.

What are the pros and cons?

I do have a box blade. But I plan to use the FEL a lot for some grading, digging and I have LOTS of rocks.

Curious why so many folks add a tooth bar versus a cutting edge.

Can anyone recommend a bolt on cutting edge for my BX24 bucket?

I saw some folks with a bolt on hook, any recommendations on that. I saw one tucked way in the back of the bucket and most on the top center.

Any recommendation on type of hook, size etc. would be helpful too.

I prefer not weld, because it's and expensive and time consuming trip to dealer and I don't have the skills or tools to weld.

 

[mswlogo]

After doing a bunch of searches it appears that maybe a toothbar is what I want. For when digging in the hard stuff the toothbar will dig better and protect the edge.

Does that make sense?

Do folks do both?

Will toothbar fit over bolt on edge?

 

[Mowbizz]

This is my first tractor. Only used it like 20hrs or so in the late fall so far.

First, do I need a bolt on cutting edge? Seems like a good idea.

What are the pros and cons?

I do have a box blade. But I plan to use the FEL a lot for some grading, digging and I have LOTS of rocks.

Curious why so many folks add a tooth bar versus a cutting edge.

Can anyone recommend a bolt on cutting edge for my BX24 bucket?

I saw some folks with a bolt on hook, any recommendations on that. I saw one tucked way in the back of the bucket and most on the top center.

Any recommendation on type of hook, size etc. would be helpful too.

I prefer not weld, because it's and expensive and time consuming trip to dealer and I don't have the skills or tools to weld.

Try sticking a spoon into a bite of steak...what happens?? not much huh?
Try sticking a fork into that steak and voiola! it digs in...thus the teeth..your bucket will dig in and cut alot better. A straight edge is good for picking up loose surface material like sand loam gravel as in approaching the pile with a level to ground bucket and driving into the pile. To dig more effectively those teeth will help immensely. Also helpful for debris, like old wood piles, etc. It will help "get under" that stuff for picking it up. I have one on order from Markham Welding...should be here very soon.... As far as a "bolt on edge" my Kubota BX24 has an edge built into it...no need for an extra one unless yours is damaged or worn...I think a bolt on hook is also a great idea, but most folks in the know say to line them up with the loaders arms for better strength and less chance of twisting or deforming your bucket...(I'm new to this but learning all the time!)

 

[Tom_H]

I just put a bolt on the loader bucket of my BX2200. I plan to get an American Solutions grapple and was worried about weld on chain grab hooks, slip hooks, or chain latches interfering the way they do on Junkman's BX22. (I will have to find the pics in the archives and post them this weekend.)

On the inside of my bucket, at the center and the very top, I put a U-bolt. It actually is a cable binding device which is shorter and thicker than a standard U-bolt. I discarded the cable crimping piece, screwed the nuts down the inside, slipped it through the two holes I drilled, and secured from the rear with nylon insert lock nuts.

I can slip an extra large spring clip (larger than my mountaineering carribiners) through it and either let a nylon strap slide through or clip a link of 3/8" chain wherever needed.

On the outside upper edges of the FEL bucket, I drilled one hole at the max distance that I could still clip on one of the spring clips. These spring clips will hold much more weight than the FEL is capable of lifting on a BX, so this seemed preferable to welding on any of the 3 types of objects mentioned above.

Check back around Sun. p.m. Hopefully I can get some photos of what I did and post links to other photos already in the archives here.

 

[Dataway]

Is there a good online source of the various edges, hooks, grapples, thumbs, etc. for subcompacts? Like a subcompact accessory shop?
JohnnyB

 

[Tom_H]

For the BX series, the concensus seems to be:

Grapples: American Solutions-will post link later this weekend with links to photos.

Thumb: 1st choice-Bro-tek, 2nd Wallenstein. Gearmore also makes a weld-on. No reports re. it on TBN

Hooks, slips, locks, etc. for chain: A. W. Direct-will post links later to them and links to TBN members photos.

Toothbar: Markham welding is most favorite, though there are others with good reports as well.

Edges: I don't have info. on that.

Ripper for Backhoe: Bro-tek (Richard)

Skid Plates: Bro-tek

MMM storage wheels: Mower Axle (Larry)

 

[mswlogo]

Thanks, I look forward to all the links.

 

[Hedgy]

If you want a toothbar that also strengthens your cutting edge you could look at the EZ attachments range. They have a V-shaped edge that fits over your existing edge, with teeth attached. They are pricier, but the EZ-Landscaper has some good reports on TBN.

The first pic on this page shows the EZ-Landscaper and the American Solutions grapple installed together. (There are also links to a number of toothbar manufacturers on that page.)

 

[Tom_H]

Here are some of the links:

For storing MMM during off season (scroll down the page, it isn't what it seems at the top of the page):

Mower Deck Axles,Carrera,Cayman,John Deere,Kubota

Grapple for BX:

American Solutions LLC

BH ripper, thumb, skid plates for BX:

Bro-Tek: Tractor Add Ons

Chain supply:

Towing | Recovery | Service Truck Equipment - AW Direct

Weld on chain latch from A. W. Direct:

Weld-on Chain Latch - Mfg# CL375

Weld on grab hook from A. W. Direct (they have other grades and sizes):

Weld-On Grab Hooks - Grade 70 - 3/8" - Mfg# 11-38WGH

This post has several pics of cyberknight's grapple:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/84966-my-new-grapple-2.html#post953462

pics of bucket hooks by jhagerty:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...bucket-hooks.html?highlight=Pics+bucket+hooks

Gamemaster's FEL bar loaded with chain latches and grab hooks:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...bucket-hooks.html?highlight=Pics+bucket+hooks

Junkman was the first to have an American Solutions grapple. He already had grab hooks welded to the top of his FEL and had to mount the grapple higher than it was designed because the hooks were in the way. See pics in this thread:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/45827-bx-rock-moving-101-a.html


More to come after I do more research in archives and take some pics of my tractor

 

[Tom_H]

Now for pics of my mods to FEL bucket for chain or webbing hooks.

This looks like a U-bolt but it had a cable crimping wedge in it and was shorter and thicker than std. U-bolts. I spun the nuts down to the bottom of the threads. A washer was needed on one side to equalize the surface elevations of the nuts against the surface of the FEL.