Ordered a Markem tooth bar today

[jbrumberg]

Vic:

I will take my toothbar off when snow season starts (around here sometime around Veteran's Day). For backdragging I curl my bucket up and ride the back of the bucket. I will admit that the finish is not as nice as my bucket without the toothbar, but I have been using my landscape rake for finish work on my current grading "project". I actually need the rake because of the poor quality (i.e. rocks) of the "dirt" I am using, but I have 179 yards of free fill left over from my driveway project. Jay

 

[ragkar]

My 60 5/8" (actual- the bucket was 60 7/8") markham toothbar for my JD2320 came today at noon. I ordered it two days ago and did not ask for special delivery or expedited handling. How's that for fast delivery from north carolina to pennsylvania?

Now here's the comparison:
JD toothbar - 126 pounds six forks measuring 8 3/4"
Markham - 73 pounds six forks measuring 7 3/4"

JD toothbar comes with two bolts (about 13mm) and two metric 'crushed thread locking nuts'. It takes an impact wrench and muscle to get these nuts off. It took two guys, a sledgehammer, crowbars and a half hour to get the toothbar off the bucket. I dread to think how long it would take to put it on. The 61" bucket is predrilled for this toothbar.

The Markham toothbar came with 1/2" SAE bolts, nuts, lockwashers and a 3/8" backing plate. It slid into place on the bucket very easily with about 1/8" clearance on either side. This toothbar cannot use the JD buckets predrilled mounting holes and you must drill your own. still, it's not a big job if you use a centering punch, 1/4" pilot hole and then enlarge it to 1/2". 3RRL (link is above) has a nice pictoral on how to do this. I had to use a few taps with a rubber mallet to seat the toothbar. Maybe the leading edge of my bucket is bent or maybe a few minutes attacking the toothbar with an angle grinder will help. I still want to get the backing plate welded in place.

I may have hit on a stratgem for getting fast delivery. I mentioned at the end of my phone call that
"I'm buying this from you because of the recommendations of the guys on the forum"
"tractorbynet?"
"Yes, we share information about all the good products and vendors. We also share information on the bad items and vendors."

I'll have to remember that.
Does anyone want a 126 pound boat anchor?

 

[dknarnd]

ragkar...I don't understand here, if you already have a tooth bar on why replace it. To me the JD model sounds like it is probably better than the Markam one, only because of weight and shank size. Wish I had a 5' bucket I would stop and pick it up next weekend on my way through. The Markham toothbars have a 4" plate that the shanks are attached to and heavier ones have a 6" plate.

 

[TC29-dude]

I do alot of landscaping. So what happens when you want to do some grading & flattening down a section of dirt while going backwards. Do you still get a nice flat appearance or will you get the tooth marks digging in.

Same goes with snow removal. Can you go nice & close to grade or will you start digging in.

Thanks,

Vic

Vic,
The brackets for the Markem tooth bars are slotted where it bolts to the FEL.
This allows you to loosen the bolts, slide the bar forward to clear the lip of the FEL, then you can just flip it back into the FEL...very easy to get it out of the way.

Of course I haven't actually tried it yet but that's the concept.

 

[ragkar]

DKNARND I think the JD toothbar is overkill for my 2320. And if I can't get it on my bucket, then I can't use it. The salesman admitted that JD outsources that item and sometimes it isn't in spec.
Besides it's a difference of 126 pounds versus 73 pounds. The first I can barely horse around and the second is manageable.
I thought of having a body shop grind down the mounting tabs and bend them so that I can get it on the bucket, but then I realized that I was talking a $200 project. and the Markham was $231.
I mean it. If anyone wants a free 61" toothbar, they can have mine. Otherwise it's just going to set outside and rust. I'm thinking that anyone with the tools might be able to cut and reweld it to fit.

 

[6sunset6]

Drilled the holes Bolted up the bar. Went to work. Well not right away My daughters future in laws came to visit for the first time and I could tell if the T word passed my lips before they left I would be sleeping with the tooth bar. Finally got to it Sunday afternoon. Interesting attachment. Very obvious way less HP to get the bucket into a pile. Rips up hard pack pretty nice. Heavy on the bucket. I can tell from the bouncing around there will be some increase in pin wear. Of course I have a thumb out there also. I have been really used to pulling the the bucket backwards to smooth out a fill section. I can still do that but much less effective. I think all in all it is worth it. Surly it looks like a weapon.
On another note I have always used a backblade and a rake for road work. I just deceided to but a hyd cylinder on the angle. I had it about 1/2 done and I need to use the blade. Backed up the tractor, dumped all the clamps holding plates and brackets in place . hooked it up and took off. Strangest thing , could not get the blade to cut in right. Fooled around for a while and got done what I need to . Back to the barn and LOL forgot to pull the parking stand out. looks like 1/2 a prezel. Explained why it would not bite..Hate when I do that.

 

[dknarnd]

Well today I ordered a 72" Marham toothbar for my TC40 bucket. Really wanted to put a toothbar over the bolt on edge but just haven't found one that I would want to buy. I just figure I'll eventually buy another bucket to put the bolt on cutting edge on. Checked new price for a 72" HD quik attach bucket and it about $600, who knows what I'll do only time will tell.

 

[ragkar]

To those of you that were wondering if I was serious about giving away my JD toothbar, it's gone. I gave it today to a tbn member who will use it on his 3320 to cut into the clay on his farm.
I considered putting an advertisement in my local newspaper, but then I thought that 9 out of ten replies would be from wheeler dealers. "What kind of tractor do you have? Ans: Oh, a big one". It would bug the **** out of me if I spotted it for sale at a local tractor show that's coming up in two weekends.

 

[TC29-dude]

I finally made it back to the farm, got my flats fixed and my toothbar mounted. Mounting the toothbar was a piece of cake! It took me about
30 minutes with my cousin helping.

Then I got to play! It makes a ton of difference, I pop wheelies much easier now than before. Acutally it did make enlarging my campsite easier as it grabs those pesky roots and slicks them right out.

Man owning a tractor is fun! I would have some great pix but I managed to
kill my camera a few weekends ago.

Thanks to all for the Markem tips...they delivered (quickly) as promised!

 

[jbrumberg]

TC29-dude:

I've complained a lot about the fit of my NH toothbar, but it does make a huge improvement with dirt work. Have fun and get your tractor dirty !

Jay