Input for my homemade rock bucket design?

[jinman]

That's a very professional-looking bucket, Jim. I have an idea that pretty yellow paint will have some blemishes soon, especially the tips. What did you think about the ability to see the tips and exactly where you put them? Using my rock bucket makes me want to cut a slotted "window" in the back of my normal bucket. It's sure nice to be able to see what you are doing. I guess since you bent that tine, you know why I suggested carrying a 2' long section of 1-1/2" pipe with you. You can put it on a tine and then use the ground or even a tree to straighten bent tines. I'm not strong enough to bend my tips without a cheater pipe. Bent tines is just a common thing. Rocks and roots will make your bucket kinda snaggle-toothed in a hurry.

 

[TBDonnelly]

Another quality build project from Jimgerken! I always look forward to following along when you're fabricating new implements.

Don

 

[jimgerken]

Thanks for the input and feedback guys. Will be using the rock bucket again tomorrow, hopefully get some action shots.

 

[medic1050]

I'm very interested in this design. My father in law is a retired welder I don't know jack about welding, so he is going to help me make a rock bucket.

Do you have any thing you'd change with a future design. It seems to be a great design and I think we can make one very similar to this. My local dealer only carries Houle buckets and while they are very impressive and rated for digging at $2000+ I think I can do much better.

I am running a JD 4410 with a 400 loader. I'm thinking about a 5' Bucket to give me the more lift capacity. I can order the hook and pins for the JD quick attachment system for $35 so I'll likely do that to save a few hours of fabrication. Any action shots of the bucket in action. It looked all pretty with its fresh coat of JD yellow paint. How has it stood up after 2 years of use?

 

[jimgerken]

Progress report: Traded tractors up to the 44Hp 3720 a couple years ago. Actually right after the rock bucket was finished, I traded. Have used the rock bucket a few times now with new tractor. The bucket originally felt a bit heavy when used with the 2520, since it weighed almost a third of the tractor's lift capacity. Now it fits this tractor better. One thing I would like to change to make it slide into the ground better. I would cut off the flat lozenge-like shapes, below the main bar floor, so it was more flat on the bottom. Those shapes drag a lot when trying to push the bucket into the ground. Also, I used flat metal for the side diagonals. That's OK, but there should be at least a heavy bar on the top edge of the top flat metal diagonal, for bending protection. Overall, I also wish it wasn't quite as deep front to back. It is quite heavy when loaded with rock, so wouldn't really need to be quite as big as I made it, even with this larger tractor.
That's it...

 

[deereman75]

That looks great, almost like something you would buy. Great job Jim.:thumbsup:

 

[VroomVroom]

Just wondering if anyone ever made a rock bucket like this but for the 3pt hitch? Something to drag behind and scoop up the rocks?

 

[VroomVroom]

No one?

 

[zing]

Just wondering if anyone ever made a rock bucket like this but for the 3pt hitch? Something to drag behind and scoop up the rocks?

This is not a bucket on the back, but they do make tow behind rock pickers. I understand this is bigger and different from what you are describing though.

 

[Grayson Klassen]

Thanks for the input and feedback guys. Will be using the rock bucket again tomorrow, hopefully get some action shots.

:thumbsup:A fine looking professional build