Bucket Bumper...no more dents

[descanso1]

Here aresome photos of what I do to protect the top edge of the bucket on every tractor I have had. Also it is a good idea to cover the hydraulic lines that cross over just behind the bucket. Here is a link to what I have done to my B7800. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/299420-kubota-b7800-rework.html

 

[jodebg]

Thanks for the photos. Where did you get the seat and does it mount to the 7800 and is it a direst mount?

Also, have you had a problem with a frozen fel control valve during cold weather?

 

[descanso1]

Thanks for the photos. Where did you get the seat and does it mount to the 7800 and is it a direst mount?

Also, have you had a problem with a frozen fel control valve during cold weather?

The seat was $99.00 at northern tool, it only takes a little modifying to fit and does make a big difference in the ride, the factory seat literally has no spring to it to absorb bumps. You do have to disconnect the safety switch that prevents the starter from working if you are not in the seat...
As far as the cold weather I can not answer that as I live in Southern California and we do not have cold weather. Have you thought about making a cover for the valve when not in use?
I do recommend covering the hydraulic lines behind the bucket, almost every tractor I have seen has them bent from something hitting them, and I can only imagine what it would cost to replace them. And for the front bucket I recommend to remove the center chain hook and place one on each side, this would prevent the stress on the center of the bucket, also weld angle iron like I did to upper lip of the bucket, if you do not have a welder check with a friend. I am sorry to say the bumper set up you have more than likely would not help much, the wood would simply break.
I have had several tractors and really like the b7800 as it has good power to weight ratio and is more of a basic tractor without smog or fancy electronics (less to go Wrong).. Good Luck

 

[slowzuki]

Huh? Most Kubotas have just a sheet metal return edge there. Gets damaged pretty quick in the life of the tractor especially on the light material version bucket. Our Kubotas is pretty light gauge sheet metal while our MF's quicke bucket is something like 1/8" steel and quite rugged.

But I certainly would not be worried about bending the top factory bucket edge. To bend that edge is "bucket abuse"

 

[WaxMan]

Huh? Most Kubotas have just a sheet metal return edge there. Gets damaged pretty quick in the life of the tractor especially on the light material version bucket. Our Kubotas is pretty light gauge sheet metal while our MF's quicke bucket is something like 1/8" steel and quite rugged.

The bucket on my b3030 was 1/8 steel or more (metric) and I'm sure yours is too. Like I said I had 750hrs on it, worn the blade down to nothing and not a dent or bend on the top edge of the bucket.

In looking for tractors for sale I see very few with any damage to the top of the bucket. The one's that are all banged up shows me how the tractor was used. And I can only imagine what I can't see.

If you don't believe me lets all post a picture of your damaged Kubota light duty bucket. Most are not damaged. Lets see how many damaged buckets we can get pictures of. And when you post a picture tell us what you were doing when you bent the lip of your bucket.

I only have my experience with my light duty bucket to go by, your welcome to post your experience with your light duty bucket and how you damaged it. "If" you damaged it.

 

[tallyho8]

The Bush Hog brand fel bucket on my little Yanmar is pretty thin and easy to bend (but hard to straighten) but the bucket on my Kubota fel on my L4400 is very sturdy and I don't have enough horsepower to bend it. When my Thumb is removed I have tried to push down trees with the top of the bucket in 4wd till my wheels spin but no dents in the bucket.

 

[mfreund]

I really wasn't directing my comment toward you, I'm just saying it's very hard to damage or bend your bucket, if you use your tractor the way it was intended. So the boards are not needed. I doubt you will bent it like the last careless owner did.

It is not hard to bend the top of any bucket, if you use the tractor for more than mowing.

 

[jodebg]

The seat was $99.00 at northern tool, it only takes a little modifying to fit and does make a big difference in the ride, the factory seat literally has no spring to it to absorb bumps. You do have to disconnect the safety switch that prevents the starter from working if you are not in the seat...
As far as the cold weather I can not answer that as I live in Southern California and we do not have cold weather. Have you thought about making a cover for the valve when not in use?
I do recommend covering the hydraulic lines behind the bucket, almost every tractor I have seen has them bent from something hitting them, and I can only imagine what it would cost to replace them. And for the front bucket I recommend to remove the center chain hook and place one on each side, this would prevent the stress on the center of the bucket, also weld angle iron like I did to upper lip of the bucket, if you do not have a welder check with a friend. I am sorry to say the bumper set up you have more than likely would not help much, the wood would simply break.
I have had several tractors and really like the b7800 as it has good power to weight ratio and is more of a basic tractor without smog or fancy electronics (less to go Wrong).. Good Luck

Thanks for the follow up.

 

[HillStreet]

The first thing I did to my B2320 bucket was to weld a 4" channel iron across the top edge, then weld a hook onto that. I left weep holes where the channel met the bucket. I have seen quite a few bucket top edges bent when the hook was attached directly to the bucket.

Also, I do have some small dents in my hood from small stones coming out of the bucket during a high lift/dump.

 

[71bronco]

It is not hard to bend the top of any bucket, if you use the tractor for more than mowing.

Well the top of my bucket is scratched and scraped up but not bent or dented. I use my bucket hard and have hooks and a receiver hitch welded on and used alot. I use a boom pole and a toothed attachment for pulling trees and brush out of the ground. I guess some buckets are made better than others.:thumbsup:





Jeff