Loader Bucket Build

[scons]

Nice build !

Hardox is probably a bit overkill but hey, who cares ? When you build it yourself, you want it to last, right ? You will enjoy it when in use :thumbsup:.

 

[jb1390]

Painted.

 

[jb1390]

I haven't used it yet, as I wanted to let the paint cure for a few days to harden up before I scratch it off.

I also included a picture of my counterweight. :thumbsup:

 

[sdef]

Beautiful job on that bucket. I wish I had those skills.

The counterweight appears to be concrete that is not encased all around. I would have thought it would have cracked and not lived very long. If this is not the case. I may make one simply out of a plywood mold and cast in the necessary 3PH attachment points.

 

[jb1390]

Beautiful job on that bucket. I wish I had those skills.

The counterweight appears to be concrete that is not encased all around. I would have thought it would have cracked and not lived very long. If this is not the case. I may make one simply out of a plywood mold and cast in the necessary 3PH attachment points.

Counterweight is a 1/2 size mafia block (3' x 2' x 2'). It surrounded on each side with 4" channel steel, with chains going underneath it to "cradle" it. Not really much to crack unless I'm running into rocks all the time, which I try not to do.

I can get the blocks from a local concrete place for around $20-30 per block. Way cheaper than pouring my own, plus it has rebar in there to use as a lifting hook.

 

[JKR]

What a nice factory look. I would be proud if it for sure. The counter weight should work perfect.

 

[IslandTractor]

Love your counterweight. Is that your own design? Never seen one quite like it before. What does it weigh?

 

[jb1390]

Love your counterweight. Is that your own design? Never seen one quite like it before. What does it weigh?

It's around 2000 pounds. I had the idea to use a half mafia block, since they are so inexpensive and already cured vs having to create my own form. I built the surrounding structure using 4" channel steel that used to be a beam in my barn. Then I ripped out the floor it used to hold up, and had the leftover stock so I put it to use holding the counterweight.

Didn't put as much time into the counterweight as I did the bucket - it was more of a "git er done" job with minimal design or measuring lol. But it's heavy and strong. One day it'll get a coat of black paint.

 

[jb1390]

Tried the bucket out. Did pretty well in rocky soil (that was loose from backhoe). I found the larger flat bottom made it much, much easier to get material in the bucket when there wasn't a pile to push against, which will be very useful when york raking or box blading, and wanting to pick up the "junk" at the end of a run.

 

[joe04785]

Good job on the bucket! Nice work! :thumbsup: