A few questions before I order a tooth bar...

[russkat]

Hey everyone...

First off, I have an Ingersoll 7020 4x4 loader with a 4ft bucket. Weighs in around 2,250 lbs. with counterweight attached.


I'm looking to buy a tooth bar or have some adapters welded onto the bucket by a local GET (ground engagement tool) dealer.
They spent almost an hour with me showing me around their facility and different options that "might" work.
I'll bring the loader to them on Monday and they will see which adapters would work/fit best on the bucket.

On to the questions...

1) I don't think there is any doubt that adapters properly welded onto a bucket are stronger than a tooth bar.
Emphasis on "properly welded". The GET dealer told me it would take an entire day to weld on 5-6 adapters when you take into consideration all the preheat and slow cooling steps required to weld hardened steel.
However, I don't own a tracked skid steer that weighs 13k lbs, and can lift 3,500 lbs. just a small 20hp wheeled loader that can lift 1,000 lbs.
So maybe a well built tooth bar is much more capable than the loader itself.
Is this a fair observation ?

2) When it comes to a manufacturer welding hardened steel adapters to a mild steel bar (I assume it's mild steel) used in a tooth bar, should I be concerned if they used the proper preheat/cooling technique during that process ?
I don't want adapters breaking off because they did not weld it properly, but with the capabilities of my loader, even that might be a non issue.
Any thoughts ?



Thanks
Derek

 

[buckeyefarmer]

why not just buy a toothbar that simple fits over the cutting edge, and attaches with a couple bolts on the end, that can be removed when you don't need it on?

 

[jeff9366]

Why not just buy a toothbar that simple fits over the cutting edge, attaches with a couple bolts and can be removed when you don't need it?

I agree.

You have not explicitly stated your USE for a Tooth Bar, but if it is for digging, get a highly regarded Piranha Tooth Bar.

LINK: Search Results | Compact tractor forums, news, reviews, information.

 

[russkat]

why not just buy a toothbar that simple fits over the cutting edge, and attaches with a couple bolts on the end, that can be removed when you don't need it on?

Well... that's the reason for my post.

I've had a few people tell me that their experience with tooth bars have resulted in bent bars and broken adapters, but they were also using them on much heavier equipment than my Ingersoll.

I even have a tooth bar picked out, Agrindustry Inc: Fabricated Agricultural Accessories... they use high quality PENGO adapters and PENGO cast or forged teeth.
but I wanted to be confident that a tooth bar was a prudent choice, factoring in the capabilities of my machine and how it would be used.
Some digging in hard clay, using the extended length of the teeth to help lift and move large boulders, etc...

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Yes you are right, it seems VERY unlikly you will hurt your bucket or bolt-on tooth bar.

 

[teg]

My opinion, the tooth bar would ADD extra strength to your bucket. You'll want something you can take off / put on. Don't take this the wrong way but 20 hp couldn't / shouldn't hurt a tooth bar. I have 28 and it's handy for some thing but leave it off for most of the time.

 

[msb1766]

I have a bolt on tooth bar I bought mine from here:Order | Toothbar
It bolts onto the bucket with the two large bolts green bolts.
No damage has happened to my bucket. I have even dug out an asphalt driveway and dug out alot of dirt with no problems.

 

[russkat]

Thanks everyone...

Sounds like the only way I'm going to damage a tooth bar or bucket with my loader is if I do something very careless/reckless, which won't happen.


I'll get some final numbers and a couple more questions answered by the manufacturer and order it this week.
I'll post some pics when it arrives and installed.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I second the suggestion for a a Piranha Tooth Bar. It really improves digging compared to a plain bucket.





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[jeff9366]

I'll post some pics when it arrives and installed.

Post pictures and commentary AFTER you operate 100 hours with the Tooth Bar, sooner, if you have a Tooth Bar or bucket failure of some kind.

Such experience is valuable.

Beauty shots do not add to the knowledge base on T-B-N.