Cutting edge protector

[iis]

Just purchased a 66" cutting edge protector:
66" Reversible Bolt-On Cutting Edge 86577167

It is 3/4 inches thick. Is it possible that this may be to thick for my bucket and cause issues?
(kubota l3200)

 

[Coyote machine]

If it is the correct edge for your bucket it will save the bucket's factory edge from wearing on the corners.
Better to wear a reversible/replaceable edge than the bucket's original edge.

 

[iis]

My concern is that I'm bolting on about 150 pounds of metal that is 3/4 inches thick to a bucket that is probably (1/4 inch?) thick.

 

[Fallon]

My concern is that I'm bolting on about 150 pounds of metal that is 3/4 inches thick to a bucket that is probably (1/4 inch?) thick.

And that will decrease your payload lift capacity by 150lbs give or take. Unfortunately there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Or are you worried about the 1/4" bucket not being able to support it? Don't. Your bucket will be stronger with the edge properly bolted on than without.

 

[s219]

I don't really see the need for this sort of thing, but perhaps you are doing a lot of dragging on concrete and are worried about wear? Most tractor I have seen still have the original cutting edge after many many years. Worst case, you can cut off the old cutting edge and bolt or weld on a new one. Kubota sells that as a replacement part for about $120 (66"), and it weighs roughly 30 lbs according to the Messicks website.

 

[iis]

Turns out the cutting edge weighs in at 100 pounds according to FedEx and the bottom of the bucket where the bolts will pierce is .5 inch. The reason I am getting it is because after less then 1 season of snow removal (.25 mile gravel) I see more wear then I would like. I will report back after I get it installed.

 

[iis]

I just clamped it on and it will be .5 inch to short on each side. Should I bail?

 

[Fallon]

I just clamped it on and it will be .5 inch to short on each side. Should I bail?View attachment 412755View attachment 412756

Is 1/2" going to make a difference? Many buckets have teeth on them which cause much more issues than a 1/2" gap would. They are generally used for digging rather than snow removal though. I wouldn't imagine a 1/2" by 1/2" strip of snow is going to make much of a difference. If it does, make an overlapping pass or something.

 

[iis]

My concern is that the cutting edge is not protecting the corners from wear and defeating the purpose of bolting it on to begin with.

 

[LD1]

With that edge the corners of the bucket shouldnt be contacting anything that will wear it out while moving snow.

However I would have looked for other solutions prior to that for wear.

A thinner cutting edge digs easier. Nice for smaller lighter machines. Also, do you have to drill the cutting edge (tough task), or does the L3200 does with holes already?

I have used mine for alot of digging over the last 700 hours and 7 years or so. Not even close to thinking about replacement. My experience with bolt on edges is that they are almost just as difficult to remove as the factory welded on one is. And given the infrequent replacement, when mine wears out, I will cut it off and weld a new one on.

But in your situation, removing alot of snow, and wearing edges away quickly, I would look into something like a clamp on edge. Like a toothbar without the teeth. Or even one of them flat bottom tooth bars. Or better yet, a plow instead of the bucket.

 

[iis]

>>Also, do you have to drill the cutting edge (tough task), or does the L3200 does with holes already?
I will have to drill.
>>But in your situation, removing alot of snow, and wearing edges away quickly,
ya, the corners have about .25 inch left of the lip. The driveway is a quarter mile of uneven gravel. I figured it would be at least 5 years before dealing with this issue but instead I have <30 hours. When I first got the tractor I used it a bunch of times to smooth out the driveway..maybe most of the wear happened at that time and I'm just noticing it now since I have been moving snow at least twice a week for the past month.

 

[Fallon]

My concern is that the cutting edge is not protecting the corners from wear and defeating the purpose of bolting it on to begin with.

In order for you to rub that the corner & wear it out by my math your tractor needs to be at 45 degrees or higher. 1/2" wide gap by 1/2" thick = square. If you are half way rolled over or more, you have bigger problems than wearing out your bucket. That corner will get some wear from material, but it won't be dragging on the pavement or gravel as you plow. I'm sure the corners of the bucket will outlast the tractor if you leave that huge cutting edge on all but 1" of the bucket.

 

[LD1]

And chance on some pics of the current condition of the cutting edge

 

[iis]

Just an update>
Spent the following week drilling 7 5/8 holes by hand through almost 3/4 thick metal to mount the edge. I got it done just in time for a snow storm on 2/22/2015.

 

[iis]

pics:

 

[lamanated]

for what its worth, I hit the scrap metal place and they always have a few blade edges in. 30 cents a lb,, anything like that there? also, I did the rubber conveyor belting for an edge on my plow,, works great doesnt tear up the stones...I tried the pipe edge , but you need a smooth flat surface I found as my loader is new and tight, so the bucket doesnt flop about much..and wont follow the surface as well .

 

[iis]

we have some scrap metal yards, but it was the middle of winter and i just wanted to get it done