I agree the bolt on edge is 1/2 or better . The original cutting edge the one that is welded in the bucket from the factory didn't look as thick . That is the only weld in replacement edge they show at the NH site. I will say it took only two days of snow removal to ruin my edge on the tc40 i owned . After adding the bolt on edge the steel was stronger and hardly wears when used.
Bowed my bucket.
- Thread starter lug nut
- Start date
- Views: 4907
backyardtrack
Bronze Member
If your worried about bending another tractor bucket try getting a used skid loader bucket. My brother has 2 new holland skid loaders and we've put them through the paces and have yet to wreck a bucket. Go to a dealer and compare the tractor buckets(even the heavy duty) to the skid buckets.
have_blue
Veteran Member
AndyMA said:
I respectfully disagree.
I've seen very old loaders with much thinner buckets than mine that have grubbed many stumps without getting bent. I've grubbed stumps with a Woods loader and nearly lifted my rear wheels off the ground, never once bent it. Every time I accidentally nudge something I bend my NH bucket.
The manufacturer has a responsibility to use materials suitable for the application. As thick as my bucket is, it should never bend. It's obviously made from dead-soft steel... cold rolled. If NH wants to get cheap on us, they're asking for customer dissatisfaction. I rather have a 3/4" tough steel bucket blade than a 1-3/4" made from putty-soft steel. Shame on NH for a gross misapplication of materials.
horse7
Gold Member
At least for the TN series, NH sells a variety of buckets. The strength (and price and weight) varies.
The dealer ought to have sold something appropriate for what the user said he was going to use the bucket for-- if the bucket is appropriate, it could be a problem with the mfg. If the dealer sold something inappropriate, the dealer ought to do something to remedy the situation. If the buyer decided to do more with the bucket than originally stated (this would be me.... discover newer and more wonderful things to do!) the buyer is on the hook to upgrade.
The dealer ought to have sold something appropriate for what the user said he was going to use the bucket for-- if the bucket is appropriate, it could be a problem with the mfg. If the dealer sold something inappropriate, the dealer ought to do something to remedy the situation. If the buyer decided to do more with the bucket than originally stated (this would be me.... discover newer and more wonderful things to do!) the buyer is on the hook to upgrade.
daTeacha
Veteran Member
Whatever direction this debate takes, if the dealer/rep is willing to replace the bucket under warranty, I think the OP should take the opportunity to upgrade to the strongest bucket they can find to fit his tractor and apply the cost of the warranty replacement against the price. It sounds like it would be a few extra bucks well spent.
As a side note, I can't even back drag now without having the bucket bow up in the middle. This is getting pretty frustrating.
I did look at a couple of the buckets on the skid loaders the dealer had on his lot. They looked considerably better built than the buckets on the tractors.
I did look at a couple of the buckets on the skid loaders the dealer had on his lot. They looked considerably better built than the buckets on the tractors.
have_blue
Veteran Member
lug nut said:
Just to look at it, mine also looks well built. It has a big, thick doubler on it, and I think it stacks up to 1-1/2" thick (if I remember right). When I bought it, I thought to myself that I would never bend that bucket. Now I have to baby it to keep from bending it. Unfortuantely, all steel is not created equally.
Well, it's been a couple of weeks and I still haven't heard anything from my dealer. I wasn't too hopeful of a warranty replacement, but it would have been nice if they would have at least told me something.
A buddy at work let me have a 7 ft long piece of flat steel that is about 7/16" thick and about 5" wide. I cut it to fit the full width of my bucket and welded it 2" back from the factory cutting edge. I then welded 2 8" pieces to the center of the bucket for added strength. It has worked great so far, but I haven't really put it to the test yet.
A buddy at work let me have a 7 ft long piece of flat steel that is about 7/16" thick and about 5" wide. I cut it to fit the full width of my bucket and welded it 2" back from the factory cutting edge. I then welded 2 8" pieces to the center of the bucket for added strength. It has worked great so far, but I haven't really put it to the test yet.
PineRidge
Super Member
I agree with others, my vote is for the tooth-bar also. The only time ours comes off is for snow clearing duty here in Ohio and at that time the replaceable edge is reinstalled.
