Dirt Scoop - the next best thing to sliced bread

[Daryl Greene]

... at least for those that have major budget limitations. Recently I purchased a Yanmar F22D and, as a demonstration of my wife of how desperately I needed this tractor, I chose my first project. I had a dump truck load of topsoil delivered (22-24 cubic yards) yet I needed a medium to move this dirt throughout our property. A front end loader, although highly desirable, was simply out of our means. I researched this site as well as others and decided that the dirt scoop made the best sense providing that it could deliver as designed.

I sought out this scoop AFTER the mountain of dirt was delivered in our front yard. On Craigslist I found a very vague description of a "LIKE NEW POND SCOOP;PUSH OR PULL" I drove out and saw what I considered to be a massive 30" King Kutter Dirt Scoop. Initially, I did not believe that this beast would even fit on my F22D. I expressed my concerns to the seller and then I requested that he hook this up to his Yanmar YM2000. He did, it fit, I paid (on the cheap!), and we loaded the scoop into the back of my truck.

I started this project rather enthusiastically while gingerly backing up to my dirt pile while gently raising the scoop. The scoop held some dirt!!! I got off of the tractor and manually released the dump lever for the first couple of loads. During my research, I remember seeing that others had rigged up a pulley system that enabled the driver to release the latch while seated so I searched my shed and came back with two pulleys, a length of rope, and an impromptu handle (a wooden dowel which I cut a groove in midway in the length). I rigged this up and went to work moving dirt!

My neighbor moseyed over yesterday to investigate the contraption he had seen me maneuver over our plot of land and he too was impressed. I finished moving the dirt pile this morning and I am extremely pleased by the ease-of-use and performance of the 30" King Kutter Dirt Scoop. I did reverse the scoop to scrape and it did fine but my technique is lacking.

Now, switching gears, I have a more philosophical question to pose. During my search for 'intelligence' regarding dirt scoops on a plethora of websites, I came across some very informative posting whereas others were rather venomous, non-informative, and written by someone who did not even know what a dirt scoop does. In reading these bashings, it became apparent to me that some of these individuals had never even used a dirt scoop. Why do people want to add their 'two-cents' when it is based on nothing??? The reason I ask this seemingly rhetorical question is that I am also a member of a Porsche forum and many of the postings one reads are presumably placed by 14-year olds that are (of course) non-Porsche owners. Then, when someone challenges them to explain/defend their position, much hatred is spewed. What is wrong with people?

In closing, I love my 30" King Kutter Dirt Scoop.

Daryl Greene

 

[winston1]

Way to go Daryl, I have a wooden handle that goes on this after hooking up to allow me to easily dump. This in combination with my loader allowed me to dig and move well over 50 yards of dirt several hundred feet. Sure beats a wheel barrow.:thumbsup:

 

[rmully]

I don't have a loader ...I use a dirt scoop and it works great. Good luck with yours!

 

[2manyrocks]

Scoops are an unrated tool. I moved a bunch of dirt from my basement excavation with one. Can also be used to smooth and level, too.

 

[Bill 55]

I have one that I inherited along with the tractor when my father inlaw passed. I have not used it yet, but am going to hook it up tomorrow. I have a couple of high spots that screw up my mowing, and a couple of low spots that need filled, so I think it will just about even out. I also have a box scraper that I have only used a couple of times, but the high spots and low spots are a couple of hundred yards apart with lawn in between so I think the scoop will be getting a workout tomorrow.

 

[MJPetersen]

My dirt scoop was one of my first builds. I copied the KK as best I could from pictures. I have used it to move 10-12 big dump truck loads of clay, soil, and sand to back yards front yards and various places in between. Most of the work has been with the scoop in the reverse position (because I have done most of the work from piles dumped in a driveway or front yard).

When I added my quick hitch I could no longer easily reach the trip mechanism so after considering other options I made a linkage to trip the pan. It has worked very well and has been a most used implement of my meager collection.

Mike

 

[Bartcephus]

I have never used a dirt scoop. I do have an FEL. I have seen several scoops for sale, (on the cheap.) My question is If I have an FEL would a scoop augment the FEL sufficiently to justify it's purchase? Seems to me that if I have an FEL there is no need for the scoop.

Thanks,

Bart

 

[bullbreaker]

My dirt scoop was one of my first builds. I copied the KK as best I could from pictures. I have used it to move 10-12 big dump truck loads of clay, soil, and sand to back yards front yards and various places in between. Most of the work has been with the scoop in the reverse position (because I have done most of the work from piles dumped in a driveway or front yard).
When I added my quick hitch I could no longer easily reach the trip mechanism so after considering other options I made a linkage to trip the pan. It has worked very well and has been a most used implement of my meager collection.
Mike

Mike
I know its mounted on a smaller tractor,but thats either aheck of a dirt scoop.
Or one bad a@@ carry-all. :thumbsup:

Boone

 

[clemsonfor]

I have never used a dirt scoop. I do have an FEL. I have seen several scoops for sale, (on the cheap.) My question is If I have an FEL would a scoop augment the FEL sufficiently to justify it's purchase? Seems to me that if I have an FEL there is no need for the scoop.

Thanks,

Bart

You can use it in tanden like Winston did. It will increase your holding capacity. Say you were moving pea gravel or something for your drive, that is 1000ft long. You fill the loader up and then the scoop and you can carry almost twice as much, reducing the trips back to the pile. you can dump the scoop smooth it then the loader and smooth it or vice verso most likely. You will not have to tral inbetween as much. This is about one of the few situations where it will benefit you. Or say your digging a pond with your loader :confused2: and a scoop, you will carry more each time.

 

[Daryl Greene]

Mike,
During my research, I repeatedly examined your 'menagerie of metal'... in absolute amazement. I would be interested in seeing a close-up of your linkage that you fabricated to trip the bucket.
Daryl Greene

 

[MJPetersen]

During my research, I repeatedly examined your 'menagerie of metal'... in absolute amazement. I would be interested in seeing a close-up of your linkage that you fabricated to trip the bucket.

Daryl,

In my QH thread I posted a pretty close picture of the linkage. It is not anything rocket science. Just 2 pieces of 2 inch rod with a hole drilled in the centers with handles and connectors for the linkage welded on. The handles pivot on the 2 inch shaft pieces between the top pieces.

here is a link to the pic. If you need more just let me know. I won't be able to get back here until Monday evening.

Mike

 

[MJPetersen]

I know its mounted on a smaller tractor,but thats either aheck of a dirt scoop. Or one bad a@@ carry-all. :thumbsup:

Boone, I was trying to make it like the KK as best I could from the pictures that I found on the net, so measurements were guesses at proportions. It seems to work out alright for me. When I grab a full load of clay from a pile i usually wheelie out of the loading even with 80 kg hanging on the front bumper. So it is at max capabilities.

Opps, Daryl the pictures were for you, but I put them on the wrong post.

Mike

 

[Daryl Greene]

Mike,
Great! Thanks for the pictures. I saw the two 'uprights' at the top of your earlier photo but had no idea then that they were actually the release mechanisms for your pan. The pulley system I installed allowed me to release the pan from my seat while scooping; however when I reversed by scoop to scrape, I had to physically get off the tractor and manually release the pan. Your design is extremely practical, impressive, and totally functional.

 

[sandman2234]

I am of the opinion that everyone with a tractor should have a dirt scoop. It just makes sense, instead of spending countless hours building a rear weight or having to have the boxblade, etc hanging on the rear anytime your doing FEL work, just grab a scoop full of dirt and your weight issues are solved. Plus, as was mentioned, if your hauling dirt/gravel, etc over a long distance, your payload is significantly increased. Digging a pond with a FEL becomes a lot less of a chore.
I had a 24" scoop for my little Ford 1100 but when I went to a JD2555, it was just a little on the small size. I found a 30" scoop for $50 but the first time I used it I tore the pan up. It had been sitting a while and the original paint covered the rusted out bottom very well. I gave the 24" to a friend and took a piece of 3/16" steel and rebuild the pan back to original size. I have had no issues with it since and use it on a regular basis, since there aren't any FEL on this property.
Another pan is under consideration, since I have most of the materials including a bucket from another project that measures 42" in width. Thought that might save just a little more time, if I ever get time to get to it, lol.
David from jax