Front-End Loader BUCKET SPADE TODAY // FEL BUCKET ATTACHMENT

[k0ua]

3/9/2020



Photo #1, snapped moments ago, of my Kubota L2296 heavy-duty, round-back bucket after 7-1/2 years of regular use. Photos #2, #3 Bucket Solution's bucket spade after nine years of regular, though intermittent, use; 7-1/2 years mounted on L2296 bucket.

Photo #4, a late thought, shows bucket spade bottom mount on my former Kubota B3300SU.
Note bucket lip on relatively light weight standard Kubota 'B' series bucket -- STRAIGHT. Operating bucket spade on light B3300SU did require operator prudence.

I am always amazed by the number of people that have never used a bucket spad, and have never owned a bucket spade, but they are very confident it "will bend your bucket". How many times was I cautioned about just that thing when I made mine all those years ago.

 

[areid]

I'm glad it didn't bend, I was just worried it might. I have no experience with this type of thing really.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

So, I finally had occasion to try out my new bucket spade, which unfortunately didn't go as expected. I need to contact the vendor, there was major impedance mismatch between the bucket spade attachment mechanisms and my bucket. I'm not maligning the product here, it seems very well built, but there was definitely some kind of ordering or expectation mismatch here.

I have the Kubota L2296 72" bucket. This is the heavy duty model, which I upgraded to _specifically_ for purposes of using it with the bucket spade.

Anyway, nothing about the spade fits the bucket. Not the clamps, not the "roll bar" under which the tip is supposed to be positioned, and not the ... lip ... that is supposed to push firmly against the underside of the bucket. See photos. (Clamps are loose in the photo, there was no point in tightening them since it clearly wasn't going to work cleanly, the clamps being half positioned over the weld area which has different heights).




So it misses on 3 of 3 critical fitting points, really it couldn't be a worse match for the bucket. Maybe I missed some fine print somewhere.

The good news is that it works fine on my pallet forks, but I didn't really want to use it on my pallet forks for general use, since I have to reconfigure the ... tines ... to do that (which I don't find particularly easy to do, - they're heavy!).

So... beware. If I hadn't had the pallet forks it would have been $400 wasted and 110 lbs of dead weight. Not sure what they'd charge me to send it back, but I do intend to chat with them about this.

 

[jeff9366]

What brand Bucket Spade did you purchase?

I have Bucket Solution's Bucket Spade and it fits Kubota L2296 heavy-duty, round-back bucket perfectly right from the factory.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

What brand Bucket Spade did you purchase?

I have Bucket Solution's Bucket Spade and it fits Kubota L2296 heavy-duty, round-back bucket perfectly right from the factory.

I will take some pictures of my spade dismounted and post them tonight, then we can compare.

Hi Jeff, I purchased from the same link you post/promote: Tractor and Skidsteer bucket spade shovel. A total mystery as to why yours fits and mine does not.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

I sent my set of pictures and problem description to the people who sold the bucket spade. They think it's the bolt-on edge that's the problem, and say they haven't changed the bucket spade design. They suggest wedging a steel plate between the bottom of the bucket and the bucket spade lip to provide the essential point of contact, though that doesn't sound like a very good idea to me (loose steel plate held by clamping action only).

He didn't say anything about how the lip doesn't fit particularly snugly under the roll bar, though maybe that's good enough if it's tight. He also didn't mention the poor contact that would exist between the clamps and the top surface, hitting the weld where they do. Somehow I was hoping for a better answer. Even if I clamp a piece of steel to the top in addition to the bottom, by the weld, the weld line is still likely to make for an irregular grip at best.

If I took off the bolt on bucket edge, it might slide everything back just enough for a better fit (including the underside lip), I'd have to try it to see, or maybe that's how Jeff runs it and can say if it works. That makes it more work to attach though, though at least it isn't moving the heavy pallet fork tines, or whatever they're called.

Jeff, I'm also curious what the bolts are like on yours. They didn't provide any kind of bolt turning apparatus. A half-inch socket driver fits just fine in the bolt heads, but the instruction book shows a picture of some handled bolt gizmo. DId you get something with yours to turn the bolts? Just curious.

 

[jeff9366]

I use a 1-1/8" wretch to snug fine thread bolts. Do not over-muscle bolts, just snug. I keep the 1-1/8" wrench attached to tractor with two rare earth magnets when using the spade. I check tightness of bolts/pads every 3-4 hours. My spade-fit-to-L2296-bucket is absolutely tight and rigid. Fit was equally tight to standard (light) bucket of predecessor Kubota B3300SU but not quite as rigid and B3300SU had less weight and less hydraulic capacity than current L3560.

Impossible for manufacturers producing a standardized product to allow for aftermarket additions, like your bolt-on edge.

Take the aftermarket bucket edge off. I do not know your Vermont conditions but that L2296 bucket is heavy duty in itself.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

I took a lot of pictures, which included a yardstick for dimensions. I will post after midnight when I have reasonable internet speed.

I use a 1-1/8" wretch to snug fine thread bolts. Do not over-muscle bolts, just snug. I keep the 1-1/8" wrench attached to tractor with two rare earth magnets when using the spade. I check tightness of bolts/pads every 3-4 hours. My spade-fit-to-L2296-bucket is absolutely tight and rigid. Fit was equally tight to standard (light) bucket of predecessor Kubota B3300SU but not quite as rigid and B3300SU had less weight and less hydraulic capacity than current L3560.

Impossible for manufacturers producing a standardized product to allow for aftermarket additions, like your bolt-on edge.
I am surprised you did not immediately think of disruption to fit from aftermarket edge.

Take the aftermarket bucket edge off. I do not know your Vermont conditions but that L2296 is heavy duty in itself.

Until tomorrow, when T-B-N will have my pictures.......which are probably not needed.

I bought a heavy duty bucket from kubota and the edge too. As far as I knew it was all standard stuff, this being my first tractor. Will look to see your pictures.

 

[jeff9366]

5/15/2020

Excavated seventy pounds of climbing rose corms surrounding partially decayed 8" Water Oak stump. Will let stump dry a few days, then try to get it out. If I cannot remove stump I will shorten it with a chainsaw below grade.

Object is continuing renovation of beautiful Live Oak in the background, previously cluttered with rose and wild grape vines and unsuccessfully competing against encroaching Water Oaks.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have had mine for about 10 years. I got a bigger tractor with more weight and power. I got into some rock and bowed the bottom of my bucket.:thumbdown: