Backhoe Bucket Modification

Agent Blue · Nov 6, 2013

Bought a new left over 24" bucket for the 611 Bradco. I know I said I was going to build one but I stumbled over this example at the steel yard for one fifty out the door. Per my luck it doesn't fit my boom width so off with the attachment ears and on with some new ones. For a small bucket is built extremely heavy out of 1/4" material and has the replaceable teeth with knock out pins. With shipping a replacement is over a grand.... but it would fit out of the box !

Agent Blue · Nov 8, 2013

Nine hours total and twenty dollars in material. Works like it was made to fit.

JerryK · Nov 8, 2013

Sweet...!!! [ nice work by the way...

]

Grn mtn boy · Nov 8, 2013

Nice job! I love the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction after you complete a project like this.

TomSeller · Nov 8, 2013

Yes, very nice

cmore · Nov 8, 2013

JerryK said:
Sweet...!!! [ nice work by the way... ]

:thumbsup:

Gary Fowler · Nov 9, 2013

Great job. I would love to have one that size or even 18" for mucking out my ponds and other soft digging operations.

Jasonc87 · Nov 10, 2013

Nice work looks good. Nice score too! I dunno 9 hours and a 20 spot for material the "over a grand" would have been so much easier!!! Heh I don't have that kind of cash for sure. Those ears look thicker than 1/4 in those pics.. Unless you meant the rest of it was 1/4 inch.

Agent Blue · Nov 10, 2013

The sheet metal on the bucket ( sides and curved back portion ) is 1/4" steel plus the reinforcements. It is way overkill for a compact hoe but it will never get damaged or rust out. The attaching flanges are 1/2" mild steel with dom tubing for bushings. I had a piece of 1 5/8" dom tubing I was going to use and line the interior with a 1/8" thick bronze bushing but finding the correct size material and fitting it on the lathe would have added more time to the finished product. For the average user it will remain a tight fit for many, many hours of service.
As for the nine hours it took to complete .... when you have a Miller 252, Ellis bandsaw, oxy / acet torch, grinders, solid welding table, large vice, and good music it is like a day of vacation that ends too quickly. I just finished a 25' steel wind mill tower out of salvage pieces that will be spinning an eight foot fan in spring. I don't have to look too far for ideas / projects.