Bowed my bucket.

lug nut · Sep 14, 2007

I was removing some trees from the front yard the other day when I must have caught one of the bigger trees at just the right angle to bow the front edge of my bucket. I was able to straighten it back out, but it creased the bucket near where the flat bottom begins to curve upwards.

I talked to my dealer today, and they may replace the bucket under warranty. If they don't, I will try to fix the one I have.

My question is, would installing a bolt-on cutting edge help strengthen the front of the bucket enough to keep this from recurring? If they won't replace the bucket, I may add a cutting edge to my bucket along with some other reinforcments in other critical areas now that I know it's weak point.

AndyMA · Sep 14, 2007

Good luck if they replace it under warranty. It really isn't a warranty issue unless a weld in the bucket or something gave out. It is really an abuse issue. The front edge of the bucket just isn't made for prying out stumps. You'll get away with it for a while but then a bend will occur. Unfortunately bending buckets and breaking teeth off backhoe buckets is just part of the game.

A bolt on edge will help, as will reinforcing the bottom and top edge of the bucket by welding on strips. Is this the New Holland heavy duty bucket or the light duty bucket? The light duty bucket is pretty flimsy.

Andy who has bent and had reinforced many buckets in his years.

lug nut · Sep 14, 2007

I wasn't trying to get it warrantied, the dealer that I bought the tractor from brought it up and called the rep while I was there. I don't think I would be much better off if they did replace the bucket. The new bucket would probably end up the same way, unless I reinforced it.

I believe it is the light duty bucket. It is pretty flimsy for a tractor of this size, IMO. I believe I can reinforce it and make it work better.

FULLPULL · Sep 14, 2007

I have a heavy duty bucket and i put a cutting edge on it when i got the tractor. The bucket had pre drilled holes and the cutting edge bolted right up in a few minutes. I dont think i could bend the bucket very easy the way mine is built .

texasjohn · Sep 14, 2007

when you get a bucket that has a straight edge on it... don't waste a minute... put a toothbar on it immediately... there are at least 100 reasons to do so... as discussed exhaustively in other TBN threads.. many say it is best $$ spent on tractor attachments.

jinman · Sep 14, 2007

lug nut said:
I wasn't trying to get it warrantied, the dealer that I bought the tractor from brought it up and called the rep while I was there. I don't think I would be much better off if they did replace the bucket. The new bucket would probably end up the same way, unless I reinforced it.

I believe it is the light duty bucket. It is pretty flimsy for a tractor of this size, IMO. I believe I can reinforce it and make it work better.

If your bucket is the quick attach bucket, then it is a heavy duty bucket. Only the pin-on buckets are lightweight. I'd bet you have the holes in the cutting edge to bolt on a cutterbar. I had a cutter bar on my 72" bucket, and I don't think it was possible for my tractor to bend the cutting edge. However, my tractor is a TC45 and considerably less breakout force than your TC55. At any rate, I think you will find the cutterbar a great addition. a toothbar would be better, but a cutterbar is far better than just the bucket edge. I have both, with one bucket having a toothbar and the other a cutterbar.

lug nut · Sep 14, 2007

My bucket is quick attach, and it does have pre-drilled holes.

I was just out looking at my bucket. I am thinking that a 3/8" steel plate welded to the bottom of the bucket would add enough extra strength to keep it from bowing.

So far, the bucket is the only weak link I have found with this tractor. I am impressed with it's abilities every time I use it.

FULLPULL · Sep 15, 2007

I would check out the NH web site there is only one bucket shown but they have the 3/8 or 1/2 weld on cutting edge that comes with the bucket . They also have the bolt on cutting edge shown .Under parts look up 270TL .

jinman · Sep 15, 2007

lug nut said:
My bucket is quick attach, and it does have pre-drilled holes.

I was just out looking at my bucket. I am thinking that a 3/8" steel plate welded to the bottom of the bucket would add enough extra strength to keep it from bowing.

So far, the bucket is the only weak link I have found with this tractor. I am impressed with it's abilities every time I use it.

The NH cutterbar is at least 1/2" steel, and I think it's more like 5/8". I'm travelling or I'd measure it for you. It bolts up tight to the cutting edge and extends about 2" out. It's also about 6" wide and reversible. I would not weld to my bucket. That would eliminate the ability to ever put on a cutterbar or toothbar without doing a lot of work.

jbrumberg · Sep 15, 2007

jinman said:
The NH cutterbar is at least 1/2" steel, and I think it's more like 5/8". I'm travelling or I'd measure it for you. It bolts up tight to the cutting edge and extends about 2" out. It's also about 6" wide and reversible. I would not weld to my bucket. That would eliminate the ability to ever put on a cutterbar or toothbar without doing a lot of work.

I agree with jinman. I just went out in the rain and measured my bolt on cutting bar. It was 1/2", but I have a 60" HD QA bucket. The 72" cutting bar may be thicker.

Jay