Dirt Scoop and 3 pt as first project

MJPetersen · Apr 21, 2007

I am somewhat hesitant to post such a simple and common item as a dirt scoop when in this forum have been some really great machine work extravaganzas like a rotating back blade. However, I am happy with the result so thought that I would share it.

I need to move some sand around our church property which was left by the previous owner when he dug the septic tank, and is where I want to put a parking. I bought a month ago a Yanmar 1510D which has a tiller.

Since I cannot find implements or 3pt parts for cat 1 locally at all. I will have to make everything. At first I was not sure that I could make it work, but I am happy to report that it did work and well. I have a few bugs to work out yet, but I believe it is a success. (the bugs have to do with the sway links on the lift arms.) Now just paint is necessary. hmm? what color?

I examined all the pictures and examples that I could on the web and studied KK and Howse dirt scoops and tried to copy as best you can from a picture. The results may not be as faithful a copy as I would have done had I ever actually seen one or had the measurements for one.

I had to make everything for the 3 pt. Lift pins were made from bolts that I cut the heads off. lift arms are steel flat stock that I bent like the pictures in the parts manual on Hoye's site. The side links I made from pipe and flat stock. Well you get the idea.

The scoop is an attempt at copying the KK scoop. I do not have any dimensions so it had to be an eyeball guess. But I am happy to say it works.

Mike in Warsaw (Poland that is)

Thomas · Apr 21, 2007

Nice job!!! and make a good carry all also...thanks for sharing.

mfrost · Apr 22, 2007

Good job!! Green will look good on it

sandman2234 · Apr 22, 2007

I purchased mine used, ($50) and used it to move a brick sign that my church wanted removed. I just backed the JD into it, knocking it over and then used the scoop to pick up the pieces. To get a full load, I would toss a few pieces on top by hand. One of the larger pieces caught something as I tossed it and misdirected it, catching my hand between the brick and upright on the scoop. Extremely painfull way to remove a fingernail. Just be careful!
You did a beautiful job on it, to say the least. Mine doesn't have the added bends of the top that yours does. Flat would have worked, but the added bends add a touch of class.
The next one I own will probably be built, on a larger scale since my tractor is so large it doesn't even notice it is back there when fully loaded.
David from jax

bobodu · Apr 22, 2007

sandman2234 said:
. I just backed the JD into it, knocking it over and then used the scoop to pick up the pieces.

Good thing you had the scoop to pick up the knocked over Deere pieces!!!
Another reason I'd never buy a JD....

sandman2234 · Apr 22, 2007

I guess you could also say that is why I am purchasing a new "to me" tractor, a blue one, rather than put all the pieces back together again...
Actually the JD2555 has been a great tractor, dispite the fact that green isn't some peoples favorite. I will have a chance to make my decision as to my favorite color soon, because I really don't need two tractors and the new one is four wheel drive, so unless it is just too big for my uses, I expect it to do everything the JD does, and more.
David from jax

bobodu · Apr 22, 2007

I actually only have problems with LAWN Deeres.Hated to see a name like Deere ruined with the LT series then the Sabres.If I had the money and need for a little tractor,I'd like a nice Kubota...not because they're orange either.The Allis was just screaming for the price I paid.

gary1611 · Apr 23, 2007

Excellent job looks just like the kk. Will work great for you post some project pics of it being used Also some pictures of it being constructed if you have them. It might not be extravagant but just as important. paint it what ever color you like.
Put it on whatever tractor you like. The important thing about a tractor is that it is functional. Good luck.

czechsonofagun · Apr 24, 2007

MJPetersen said:
I had to make everything for the 3 pt. Lift pins were made from bolts that I cut the heads off. lift arms are steel flat stock that I bent like the pictures in the parts manual on Hoye's site. The side links I made from pipe and flat stock. Well you get the idea.

The scoop is an attempt at copying the KK scoop. I do not have any dimensions so it had to be an eyeball guess. But I am happy to say it works.

Mike in Warsaw (Poland that is)

Looking good, Mike!!

Prokop

MJPetersen · Apr 24, 2007

Thanks all for the kind comments. I got to give it a go today and I am very happy. Well mostly anyway. my lift arms should have been 2 inches longer to keep the scoop out of the tires when going forward. I have orderd some real replacement ends so when they come and I weld them on I will lengthen the lift arms a bit.

I managed to cut through some tough roots and even hit a buried concrete ring that stopped everything in its tracks, but no damage and everything worked great. I took some pics, but am just too tired tonight to get to them. Tomorrow I will try to get them up. I made arrangements today to get it powder coated red!! Yanmar red! I also bought some special mix paint for the yanmar grey/green for the lift arms and side links.

Next week I will paint it.

Mike In Warsaw (Poland that is)

MJPetersen · Apr 26, 2007

Well It worked so very well. I have most of the sand relocated that i waned to relocate at the church. I had one big pile left. I eased into it and hit what felt like roots, gave some throttle and lifted up the 3pt and the next thing you know one of the lift arms is doubled over.

I took it all apart and straightened the arm on a press that my friend has and back to work--first pass and again the same lift arm is folded up.

My friend was not home so I took a big hammer and straightened it out, but this time i welded in a second layer of metal about 6 inches long where the side link attaches. 3rrl also bent a lift arm and I remember how he put a T back on it, but I did not have room for that, so I simply added a second piece of steel. So now in that section the lift arm is 60 cm (2 3/8) wide and 2 cm (3/4+) thick! I gave it a go this evening and I think that will be good now. But I lost my phone/camera--hope I can find it when it get light tomorrow I took some pics, but for now they are lost.

Mike in Warsaw

sandman2234 · Apr 26, 2007

If you lost the phone outside, pray it doesn't rain tonight.
Keep an eye on ebay for lift arms, in case you want to replace them.
I guess I will have to keep an eye out for a set also, as my Ford made it home today, finally!
David from jax

MJPetersen · Apr 27, 2007

I found my phone/camera where it had fallen as I talked to a neighbor who came over to see what I was doing--great. Sandman--no rain here in sight--it is SOOO dry right now. This kind of soil probably looks mighty familiar to you--nothing but sand!!

Here are pics of the bent arms and the strengthening that I gave them. We will see if it is enough, but they are 2x as thick as they were in that one 6 inch section.

What I tried to scoop which bent the arm was a section of cast iron drain pipe buried in the sand.

Well as scrap it will help to pay for the piece of metal that I added for strengthening.

Have a good one guys!

Mike in Warsaw

Harvey7 · Apr 28, 2007

Nice work Mike

MJPetersen · Apr 28, 2007

Thanks for the kind words Harvey, Czech et al. Yesterday I had a chance to spray some paint on the scoop. Now it matches the Yanmar. I thought about giving it a yanmar model number maybe YM 75 (75 is centimeters in length or 30 inches). That would look good in off white on the top element huh? Maybe Yanmar would not want to claim it.

Oh well--I had several people ask me why I was painting it only to scrape the paint off again--maybe they are right. This I do know that I spent more time preping this thing that it deserves--you would think that I was painting a Ferrari or something--well the color is not too far off.

Mike in Warsaw

BTDT · Apr 28, 2007

Very nice job. Looks factory to me. That will help if you ever need to sell it. Then you can buy materials and build something else.

sandman2234 · Apr 28, 2007

In all of your pictures the scoop shows to be in the reverse mode. Or, in other words, you load it while the tractor is in reverse. If you made it exactly like the Yanmar, then you should be able to turn it around, and you should simply because of what you have already done to your lift arms. When you turn it around, you are pulling on the arms, and not pushing against them. They tend to bend a lot less frequently with the tractor in a forward gear.
I have pretzled several bush hog uprights learning that lesson, but fortunately no lift arms.
David from jax

MJPetersen · Apr 29, 2007

Sandman,

I have turned it around and used it that way too. But what I was doing most was digging in a pile, which I did not want to climb over. When it came to clean up I switched it around, but I cannot lift it quite as high because it will get into my tires. I made my lift arms a little bit short I think. However, I have ordered some proper rebuild ends for cat 1 lift arms and when they get here and I weld them on I will lengthen the arms a bit.

I know that lift arms were made to pull not push--well mine were fabricated by me so I believe my modification cured the bending problem, if not then I will modify again.

I bent the arms when I hooked something with the one corner of the scoop, was lifting up and at the same time pushing back. If I had not been pushing I would have easily picked the front end off the ground. Something was going to give and that time the weakest link was the link arm. (what I had hooked was a section of cast iron sewer pipe buried in the tangle of roots.)

I was not as satisfied pulling the scoop to level things out. it would dig in too much or just float too much (depending on top link adjustment). but with the scoop back wards the flat back side of the scoop leveled pretty well. So I decided that for final leveling I need a box blade--new project and new implement.

Now if I could only find a source for scarifiers.

Mike in Warsaw

gary1611 · Apr 30, 2007

If you need scarifier their is a great place here in the us called agri-supply
BOX BLADE PARTS Available at Agri Supply® where we have something for everyone. Their Cheap but a great place i have been to one of their stores. Maybe you can get them to ship to you no charge from myself. If not and you can't get them locally i could get them shipped to me and ship them to you. I am a eBay seller and have shipped around the globe so international shipping is not no big deal. But some company's just won't do it. I love it because although I'm making money i provide a invaluable service to those overseas who are unable to get things any other way. And i've met such great people through my sales. Thats the number one thing i love about the net. It brings people from thousands a miles away together in one place. Good luck and i enjoyed the pics greatly And thank you for posting them.

MJPetersen · Apr 30, 2007

Thanks Gary for the very kind offer--I would just hate to ship steel. I will look around. I think that things like that are available in Germany and Italy, just not here, yet. If I cannot find them I may give it a go on making something that would work. We will see. I have lots of other things going besides my play time on the tractor.

I really enjoyed building the scoop and I have drawn up plans for a box blade similar to the rollover Gannon only sized for my tractor. Sure could not be something simple like a common KK box right?

Mike in Warsaw