Bolt on blade for buckets

[johara1]

First the video is of a lot heavier built bucket and when it is open and back draging the rear of the bucket is engaging the ground first and the part of the bottom is only grading loose dirt. second that is a track machine, made for grading. a big difference than a wheel machine. ... Jim

 

[ponytug]

Yes, @npalen resting the vertical back blade on the soil and tilting the partially opened clamshell of the bucket while back dragging is what I use to maximize the stability of the cutting depth. I think that it helps keep some (most?) of the forces in the bucket geometry.

And, yes thanks Jim, point well taken, it isn't an apples to apples comparison on many levels; empty, the T650 weighs twice as much as my PT, it has a rigid frame, has fifty percent more horsepower, and yes, is tracked, which is huge. Plus, the Construction Attachments bucket has a 1" thick cutting edge, and weighs 1300+lbs, which are all features distinctly better for that particular job, which is nearly flat and level to begin with.

I once watched another amateur (I have zero hours in a skid steer) get a bobcat to within a whisker of rolling on the top of a 400' 20-30 degree slope; I was impressed how fast it went from "that doesn't look good" to "kill the engine, and it is time to tow". Fortunately, nobody was hurt beyond their pride. I admit that the hydraulic drive on the PTs does make them less prone to digging in. Could an expert have done better? Sure, I haven't any doubt, though I doubt an expert would have done what the amateur was attempting in the first place. I think that learning to use a piece of equipment is probably best on flat ground.

On the other hand, I did see some techniques in that video that I would like to try, and the "ultra heavy duty" build on the Construction Attachments bucket is giving me ideas of what might be altered on mine.

All the best,

Peter

 

[MossRoad]

Yes, @npalen resting the vertical back blade on the soil and tilting the partially opened clamshell of the bucket while back dragging is what I use to maximize the stability of the cutting depth. I think that it helps keep some (most?) of the forces in the bucket geometry.

And, yes thanks Jim, point well taken, it isn't an apples to apples comparison on many levels; empty, the T650 weighs twice as much as my PT, it has a rigid frame, has fifty percent more horsepower, and yes, is tracked, which is huge. Plus, the Construction Attachments bucket has a 1" thick cutting edge, and weighs 1300+lbs, which are all features distinctly better for that particular job, which is nearly flat and level to begin with.

I once watched another amateur (I have zero hours in a skid steer) get a bobcat to within a whisker of rolling on the top of a 400' 20-30 degree slope; I was impressed how fast it went from "that doesn't look good" to "kill the engine, and it is time to tow". Fortunately, nobody was hurt beyond their pride. I admit that the hydraulic drive on the PTs does make them less prone to digging in. Could an expert have done better? Sure, I haven't any doubt, though I doubt an expert would have done what the amateur was attempting in the first place. I think that learning to use a piece of equipment is probably best on flat ground.

On the other hand, I did see some techniques in that video that I would like to try, and the "ultra heavy duty" build on the Construction Attachments bucket is giving me ideas of what might be altered on mine.

All the best,

Peter

If you put larger wheel motors on your PT it would dig just fine. But then you'd have slower tram speed.

They are compromised as to speed VS power, since there's no range selector. So they pick a happy medium for the tasks it's supposed to perform.

I'd like a bit more power for pushing on my 2001 PT425, but I'd guess I'd just break more stuff.

 

[JsJs]

Went into local township road yard and they gave me a chipped snow plough blade that was done for them. I welded it ontp the front edge and works for many years now. It was 1" thick by 5" wide and full 6' long

 

[npalen]

Went into local township road yard and they gave me a chipped snow plough blade that was done for them. I welded it ontp the front edge and works for many years now. It was 1" thick by 5" wide and full 6' long

So the 1" blade took the "smile" out of your bucket?

 

[bugmeist]

I know a number of you have added teeth to your buckets. I would like to build on that experience.

After bending my 4N1 bucket floor back dragging for the umpteenth time, and straightening it, again, I am wondering if anyone has added a bolt on blade to the back of the 4N1 bucket, or even just a bolt on blade to the front. I want to strengthen the bucket and bucket floor. Anyone? Brand? Width? Things to watch out for?

It looks like there are a couple of Bobcat and clone skid steer blades that would fit mine. E.g.

https://paumco.com/collections/cutting-edge-blades

Skid Steer Bucket Bolt On Cutting Edge

https://www.bobcatparts.com/bolt-on-cutting-edge-74-inches-6718007.html

(No particular order, though quite a few folks resell the Paumco blades)

With my hard clay soil, back dragging with the bucket partially open so the back of the bucket floor is cutting into the soil really well for me, but bends the rear cutting blade and the floor whenever I hit a hard patch. Going forward tends to stall the tractor abruptly, as the blade digs in on the hard patches, whereas back dragging tends to rip the offending patch up and out of the way. As an alternative, I have thought about bolting teeth or a tooth bar to the vertical blade.

All the best,

Peter

SpringHollow mentioned the Rachet Rake. I've used 1 for around 10 years to 'soften up' the hardpan on my driveway before leveling it. I also use it in Spring to roughen up the ice on my driveway so it thaws quicker. I find it's a great attachment and not to terribly expensive.

 

[ponytug]

@SpringHollow & @bugmeist thanks for the tip on the ratchet rake. I don't get out much, so I had never heard of / seen it. I am thinking that it might be great to back drag my arena with to loosen the pea gravel and disturb the weeds.

Thanks!

All the best,

Peter

 

[johara1]

SpringHollow mentioned the Rachet Rake. I've used 1 for around 10 years to 'soften up' the hardpan on my driveway before leveling it. I also use it in Spring to roughen up the ice on my driveway so it thaws quicker. I find it's a great attachment and not to terribly expensive.

I been around equipment and farming my whole life and never heard of one either.... Jim

 

[JsJs]

So the 1" blade took the "smile" out of your bucket?

Clamped an I beam on bottom and sledged it straighter. After welding its never moved back

 

[ponytug]

I am thinking about a bolt on blade from Tractor Supply. It is boron steel (new to me), so I am thinking bolt on rather than welding as heating, and heat affected zones are apparently a problem for boron steel.

Anyone tried these MET Impex blades?

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/met-impex-america-inc-60-in-professional-wear-resistant-replacement-bolt-on-cutting-edge-for-bucket

A number of the other cutting edge that I looked into weren't actually very hard or stiff when I looked into it. (1055 or worse)

Thanks in advance!

All the best,

Peter