Found used tooth bar 1 3/4 inches too short

[BRBurns]

I got a used tooth bar on craigslist yesterday for $150. It was suposed to be a 72" but it turned out to be a 70". My bucket on my 4300 is 72 3/4" on the inside. I'm thinking about just spacing it out with washers on each side right now. I'm sure some extra dirt will hang up on the washers, but is there any other unexpected consequences of this? I may cut one of the ends off and lengthen it sometime if it works as well as I expect.

 

[schmism]

Id use metal plates not just washers but ya, i dont see any reason it wouldnt work if the tooth bar catches the bottom of the bucket right and not all the digging force is going on the 2 bolts holding the thooth bar on.

 

[Don87]

I got a used tooth bar on craigslist yesterday for $150. It was suposed to be a 72" but it turned out to be a 70". My bucket on my 4300 is 72 3/4" on the inside. I'm thinking about just spacing it out with washers on each side right now. I'm sure some extra dirt will hang up on the washers, but is there any other unexpected consequences of this? I may cut one of the ends off and lengthen it sometime if it works as well as I expect.

You will need to use longer bolts, and that will be your weak point. The bolts could break.

To fix it properly, you could just cut it in the middle and weld a piece in, might be easier than cutting the end off.

EDIT: Schmism post a couple seconds before me, his idea may work as well.

 

[RoyJackson]

I think you'll be fine doing just what you describe...I'd consider using short lengths of pipe (not copper) or something similar as spacers rather then washers though.
You're only looking at 1.38" per side for spacers.
I do suggest using lock washers under the nuts though.

 

[hydro2]

I would just weld a couple plates into the ears. I did that worth mine. It works fine.

 

[BRBurns]

Thanks for the sugestions. I am going to pick up longer grade 8 bolts. I'd rather use steel plates, but I'm not sure what I have laying around. I may end up cutting the middle and welding a section in. I just want to make sure I like it before I mod it. I would think it would hurt the resale if I mod it and do not like having it.

 

[schmism]

Thanks for the sugestions. I am going to pick up longer grade 8 bolts. I'd rather use steel plates, but I'm not sure what I have laying around.

If you headed out to the hardware store, pick up a piece of 1/4" 2" wide flat stock. cut it into 2-3" sections and drill holes in it for "oversized washers"

 

[Ken45101]

The forces on those bolts if you use spacers will be much, much greater than if the tooth bar was mounted properly. I see a risk of bending the bolts for sure, and maybe the bucket.

The best approach is to have the tooth bar lengthened. If you don't want to do that, I would have some strips welded into the side of the bucket (or to the ends of the toothbar) to make up the required width. That will make a solid mount.

Ken

 

[BRBurns]

I dug around to find what steel I had laying around to make spacers. I found some 1/2" x 2" bar stock laying around, so I made up some spacers 5" long. And welded 3 peices together on one side and 2 on the other. There was still a little extra space and I did fill that with 3 washers between the spacer and the tooth bar. I think the bucket will be fairly well protected like this. I don't think there is much chance of me hurting this tooth bar. The thing is a beast and it was intended for a much more powerful Bobcat. It did mount up to the lip of my bucket right, so I think it will work for now. If it does work out, I think I will be welding in a spacer in the middle of the tooth bar when I have time.

Thanks for the replys and suggestions.

 

[westbrooklawn]

I ran into the same problem when I changed tractors and my new bucket was wider than the old one by about 4". I actually removed the middle tooth, welded in a new piece, and welded the tooth back on in the middle. This created a slightly larger space between the middle tooth and each adjacent tooth, but it was more asthetically pleasing for me. The process didn't take more than an hour, and it has worked out very well. I actually got a piece of the cutting bar material from Markham Welding (now Gator), so that it would be an exact match to the material originally used for the tooth bar.

I just re-read the title of your post... if it is only 1 3/4 inches too short you are only talking 7/8 of an inch space on each side... you would be fine with longer bolts and washers.