BX25 Toothbar weight a problem?

[Delphicoder]

I am thinking of getting a good toothbar for my BX25. I have read about all the different ones, and don't mind buying one. The only really nagging question that I did not see an answer for was the weight. It seems that adding the toothbar means you will decrease the amount you can put in the bucket due to the weight lift limitations of the FEL. Has anyone noticed it at all, or is is minor in the grand scheme? BXpanded sells a pressure kit, so perhaps after putting it on it would be wise to make sure the pressure was at the correct specs?

 

[thavil]

I haven't had any lifting issues using my toothbar but what I have really noticed is the FEL bucket bounces more while moving around my farm. Not sure if this will become an issue later but I slow down even more now on bumpy terrain.

Highly recommend their pressure kit. I checked mine with the kit about 1 year after I purchased my tractor and the pressure was pretty low. Big difference after bringing up to spec.

 

[whistlepig]

I haven't had any lifting issues using my toothbar but what I have really noticed is the FEL bucket bounces more while moving around my farm. Not sure if this will become an issue later but I slow down even more now on bumpy terrain.

Highly recommend their pressure kit. I checked mine with the kit about 1 year after I purchased my tractor and the pressure was pretty low. Big difference after bringing up to spec.

Tell me more about the pressure kit please.

 

[Tom_H]

It has not been an issue for me. I have once or twice had the FEL overfilled with no counterballast and the hydro lifted the tractor rear off the ground. With rear ballast, the only time I couldn't lift the FEL was when I had a huge granite boulder in it (and that boulder barely fit). I was able to lift that boulder by wrapping in chain and hooking to the BH bucket. The toothbar is a versatile tool; its weight is not a drawback.

 

[thavil]

Tell me more about the pressure kit please.

Check out Harry's write-up on his BXpanded website Hydraulic Pressure Tester. Easy to use and test from the instructions he sends with his kit.

 

[RTII]

I have noticed the difference in curl capacity when my toothbar is on. Seems to be easier to get into the dirt pile but harder to break out. Curl may bog down and need to work the tractor a little forward/backwards until it can curl. If the dirt was fresh/loose, I had no problems getting a full bucket to fill and curl without the tooth bar. If the pile is settled or old the toothbar is obviously a help to penetrate it.

 

[CT Jay]

Who makes a good toothbar for the BX25....one that's easy on/easy off, too.

I saw one on some website that looked pretty good, at least as far as the toothbar itself, but requires using a pair of chains and tensioners to hold it in place on the loader bucket. While I don't want to drill into my FEL bucket unless I have to, the chains/tensioners thing looks a little like not the way I'd want to go.

Am I right that the inside dimension is supposed to be 46.5 inches wide, to fit a 48 inch FEL?

 

[Grandad4]

In one of the many threads in the Attachments section about toothbars, the following had link to a summary of BX toothbars.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...uestions-brand-design.html?highlight=toothbar

We've had a Long toothbar on our BX since new in 2005. It has been very useful for any rough duty dirt work at the farm. However, the BX is also used for yard work around our properties in town, and the toothbar only gets in the way moving mulch, topsoil, snow, etc. Fortunately it's easy to remove with two bolts, and the two 3/4" bolt holes in the side of the bucket are a total non-issue for us otherwise.

 

[thavil]

Who makes a good toothbar for the BX25....one that's easy on/easy off, too.

I saw one on some website that looked pretty good, at least as far as the toothbar itself, but requires using a pair of chains and tensioners to hold it in place on the loader bucket. While I don't want to drill into my FEL bucket unless I have to, the chains/tensioners thing looks a little like not the way I'd want to go.

Am I right that the inside dimension is supposed to be 46.5 inches wide, to fit a 48 inch FEL?

I agree with Grandad4, I also have a W.R. Long flat toothbar (ratchet rake installed on my FEL in my avatar) and it's very easy to remove. Personally, I haven't seen a toothbar that mounts with chains and tensioners. I would think that they would get in the way with operation.

If I remember right, 46.5 inches sounds about right. To order one from Markam, they want you to measure 8 inches from the tip of your FEL back towards the heel and then measure across for them to custom make one for your FEL.

 

[bellweather]

I bought one for my BX22. It is heavy, however it does do what it's intended for...digs in and makes loading material more efficient (works great for horse manure). Mine is easy to mount and remove. I had to drill a hole into each side of the bucket for bolts, used a hole saw. I don't use it all that much, for most stuff I'm fine without it. Caution: requires more swinging room for the bucket!