markie61
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2001
- Messages
- 1,370
- Location
- Northern Virginia
- Tractor
- 2019 Rural King RK55HC with Loader & Backhoe; 2001 New Holland TC40D with Loader
No pics at this time....but:
I used carriage bolts with fender washers (8 total). I got bigger fender washers so that the square part of the bolt fit in the hole and the washer made contact with the underside of the head (make it as low profile as possible.) The heads were on the bottom, then the washer, through a hole in the mat, through the hole in the bucket , then nut on top (inside bucket.) When I tightened up the nut, the washer and head recessed themselves mostly into the mat (compressing the rubber.)
I also had to develop a "technique" which mostly worked:
I have a level-indicator rod on my FEL to show when the bucket bottom is level. I rolled it SLIGHTLY forward of level, then "floated" the lift. The only places I hit with the bolt-head were where tree roots pushed up the pavement slightly. It was like using a "squeegee" to clear the pavement. I tried it on neighbors' gravel drives and it didnt do very well - the back blade with rubber worked MUCH better in those spots.
Next year, I am going to replace all the fender washers with a single strip of 3/16" x 2" x 8' flat metal I found in the barn and "braze" on the bolts and grind off the heads ( I need to learn how to "braze" ). I found that snow packed in between the rubber and bucket edge and pulled the rubber off the washers a couple times. A contiguous strip of metal with even pressure should help a lot.
When my camera is working, I'll try to do some snaps. Right now I have my toothbar on, with fervent belief/hope that snow season is OVER! It's been a long winter /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Mark
I used carriage bolts with fender washers (8 total). I got bigger fender washers so that the square part of the bolt fit in the hole and the washer made contact with the underside of the head (make it as low profile as possible.) The heads were on the bottom, then the washer, through a hole in the mat, through the hole in the bucket , then nut on top (inside bucket.) When I tightened up the nut, the washer and head recessed themselves mostly into the mat (compressing the rubber.)
I also had to develop a "technique" which mostly worked:
I have a level-indicator rod on my FEL to show when the bucket bottom is level. I rolled it SLIGHTLY forward of level, then "floated" the lift. The only places I hit with the bolt-head were where tree roots pushed up the pavement slightly. It was like using a "squeegee" to clear the pavement. I tried it on neighbors' gravel drives and it didnt do very well - the back blade with rubber worked MUCH better in those spots.
Next year, I am going to replace all the fender washers with a single strip of 3/16" x 2" x 8' flat metal I found in the barn and "braze" on the bolts and grind off the heads ( I need to learn how to "braze" ). I found that snow packed in between the rubber and bucket edge and pulled the rubber off the washers a couple times. A contiguous strip of metal with even pressure should help a lot.
When my camera is working, I'll try to do some snaps. Right now I have my toothbar on, with fervent belief/hope that snow season is OVER! It's been a long winter /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Mark