arrabil
Veteran Member
Howdy. I thought it might be useful to someone to see a Markham Grubber Stump Bucket on a John Deere tractor. I was going to build by own based on the plans I found on this site but after adding up the cost of the metal, paint, welding wire, teeth, etc. it came within $50 of a delivered Markham bucket.
At first I was worried the Markham bucket was going to be wimpy. Its significantly cheaper than the competition's buckets and on the website it says 3/16" wrap while even the plans on this site are 1/4". BUT that turns out to be very deceiving. While it is a 3/16" bucket, its reinforced with 3/8" on the top, sides, and with two strips the whole length of the bucket on the bottom. So really its a LOT stronger than the 3/16" makes you think.
I was also impressed that its setup for two JDQAs. I know the first is the 400 loader. I don't know what the lower pin is for but I'm impressed that they made it multi-use instead of just the model I gave them.
If I were to be picky I have two complaints. The JDQA is supposed to be a three piece setup: The pin, the hook, and the hook strap. The hook strap provides anti-bending support for the hook but isn't installed here. This bucket takes a lot of force but I've seen many home-made implements without the hook strap. We'll see how it holds up. I can weld my own on later but not everyone can. Its only a couple more dollars and a little more weld.
The second complaint is about paint. It looks powder coated but it is a very thin coat. So thin that some places aren't even fully covered. Now I do realize most of the bucket will have no paint after the first use anyway, but other parts of it will never lose their paint so it'd be nice if they were thick with it. Again, a minor complaint overall.
Lastly, I would say my 4200 and 420 loader are the minimum necessary weight and power for this thing. I guess it depends on your soil but in the rocky, rooted soil in my woods the 420 loader is incapable of pulling the bucket out after its fully inserted. And if you're not gentle with the digging it puts a lot of strain on the loader. The bucket weighs 378 pounds on a loader rated at a little over 1000 so that is something to consider. But it handily beats using a shovel. Not even a comparison really.
Overall, I'm exceedingly pleased with the purchase. Trenching with it is much easier than a pick and shovel and a tenth the cost of a backhoe.
BTW, I have zero affiliation with Markham. And thanks to KennyD for repeatedly saying to contact Melissa @ Markham.
At first I was worried the Markham bucket was going to be wimpy. Its significantly cheaper than the competition's buckets and on the website it says 3/16" wrap while even the plans on this site are 1/4". BUT that turns out to be very deceiving. While it is a 3/16" bucket, its reinforced with 3/8" on the top, sides, and with two strips the whole length of the bucket on the bottom. So really its a LOT stronger than the 3/16" makes you think.
I was also impressed that its setup for two JDQAs. I know the first is the 400 loader. I don't know what the lower pin is for but I'm impressed that they made it multi-use instead of just the model I gave them.
If I were to be picky I have two complaints. The JDQA is supposed to be a three piece setup: The pin, the hook, and the hook strap. The hook strap provides anti-bending support for the hook but isn't installed here. This bucket takes a lot of force but I've seen many home-made implements without the hook strap. We'll see how it holds up. I can weld my own on later but not everyone can. Its only a couple more dollars and a little more weld.
The second complaint is about paint. It looks powder coated but it is a very thin coat. So thin that some places aren't even fully covered. Now I do realize most of the bucket will have no paint after the first use anyway, but other parts of it will never lose their paint so it'd be nice if they were thick with it. Again, a minor complaint overall.
Lastly, I would say my 4200 and 420 loader are the minimum necessary weight and power for this thing. I guess it depends on your soil but in the rocky, rooted soil in my woods the 420 loader is incapable of pulling the bucket out after its fully inserted. And if you're not gentle with the digging it puts a lot of strain on the loader. The bucket weighs 378 pounds on a loader rated at a little over 1000 so that is something to consider. But it handily beats using a shovel. Not even a comparison really.
Overall, I'm exceedingly pleased with the purchase. Trenching with it is much easier than a pick and shovel and a tenth the cost of a backhoe.
BTW, I have zero affiliation with Markham. And thanks to KennyD for repeatedly saying to contact Melissa @ Markham.
Specialized tools do have their place.
