DIY bucket teeth and 3 point receiver

[ktm412]

Wanted some bucket teeth and a 3 point hitch receiver for my tractor, but didn’t want to fork out the cash for new... man both of those things are expensive!

I live in southern Arizona, the dirt is hard and almost every plant has thorns and needles. Everything in this environment does its best to try to hurt you .

I’m new to owning a tractor, so I wasn’t sure how effective either of these design would be. I’ll lay the disclaimer that I’m also very new to welding with my cheap Chicago electric flux 125 welder... as you’ll see in the pictures.

For the bucket teeth I had some T posts laying around from a garden I removed a while ago. Cut the t posts into shanks with a spear edge, and welded them onto a 1/4” x 4.5” flat bar. Drilled the requisite 5/8” holes to match the holes on my bucket. Welded up the side supports and threw that sucker on my bucket. Wow what a difference these make digging into this hard dirt!

Had some scrap steel and hitch receiver from a Jeep Wrangler laying around. Got the design and dimensions from one for sale on amazon.

Overall I was all in at around $32 for both projects and a full day of work, if you don’t count the tools and scrap metal I already had. Both have worked great!

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Nice job on both of them! I know what you mean about rock hard dirt! Here in NM, unless there was some recent moisture...AKA "rain" ,(....do you know what that is? I almost forget!) the ground is as hard as concrete!

I am very interested to hear how well the toothbar holds up. I just can't bring myself to spend $300 + for a premade one. I have a bunch of t-posts laying around.

 

[ktm412]

Nice job on both of them! I know what you mean about rock hard dirt! Here in NM, unless there was some recent moisture...AKA "rain" ,(....do you know what that is? I almost forget!) the ground is as hard as concrete!

I am very interested to hear how well the toothbar holds up. I just can't bring myself to spend $300 + for a premade one. I have a bunch of t-posts laying around.

Thanks! What’s this moisture aka rain you speak of? We’ve had a very weak monsoon season this year, so I’m basically digging into concrete. The tooth bar has held up really well. Dug out a 3’ trench about 10” deep for a drainage creek bed... wife and her landscaping projects... tooth bar did a great job of breaking up the dirt and pulled rocks out no problem. Send me a message if you would like the plans.

V/r
Brian

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Yeah, I hear you.... the forecasters here are calling the weather pattern a "non-soon". We get maybe a 10-20% chance of showers starting Sunday.

No need for plans, the tooth bar is more than self explanatory. Right now I don't have a need for trailer mover. ( which is what I am thinking you have plans for). Thanks though....

 

[LouNY]

Your 3 point trailer hitch / receiver hitch can come in very handy,
I would recommend one addition to though attach a chain to it solidly at the top and use a clevis or similar device to secure it to your drawbar,
this is needed to prevent the hitch from pushing up and damaging the lift arms or internal lift system.

 

[Leejohn]

T post bend real easy, hope it works out ok for you.

 

[PILOON]

My friend made a set of teeth using HD truck spring (3/4" thick) material.
That was like 5-6 years ago.
Still doing the job! (and it's very rocky here)

 

[ktm412]

Your 3 point trailer hitch / receiver hitch can come in very handy,
I would recommend one addition to though attach a chain to it solidly at the top and use a clevis or similar device to secure it to your drawbar,
this is needed to prevent the hitch from pushing up and damaging the lift arms or internal lift system.

Thanks I appreciate the advice! Going to weld on some hooks today as I didn’t know that would be a problem

 

[ktm412]

Yeah, I hear you.... the forecasters here are calling the weather pattern a "non-soon". We get maybe a 10-20% chance of showers starting Sunday.

No need for plans, the tooth bar is more than self explanatory. Right now I don't have a need for trailer mover. ( which is what I am thinking you have plans for). Thanks though....

Same here, non-soon is very accurate description

 

[ktm412]

T post bend real easy, hope it works out ok for you.

I was a bit worried about that. Luckily I have a ton of scrap t post laying around. If it bends, I’ll weld a new one on.

Dug up 3 small old mesquite stumps yesterday. No bends yet, but it’s only a matter of time