Grass bucket

[SI2305]

Hello all,

OK, my rake build has gone quite well and I have raked huge piles of grass from a surprisingly small area--amazing just how much dead grass can accumulate in a small area. I truly thank all who offered advice and insight into my project. This brings me to my next question and possibly next build. Presently, the rake works wonderfully at gathering together large amounts of grass. I then have to move it to the desired location--usually a windrow or compost pile. Right now I stop the tractor, get off and rake/shovel/push the grass into my 53" bucket, kinda marginal for the volume of material I am moving.

I was thinking about adding some type of attachment to the bucket so I could move the pile of grass easier. I thought about a toothbar that might allow me to slip the teeth under the pile before I rotated the bucket. Are there any toothbar type attachments out there that would allow me to accomplish this? I even considered making an attachment with tines instead of teeth. They would be less durable, but they would also stick out farther and therefore possibly better for this application.

Any thoughts/ideas are greatly appreciated

SI2305

JD2305, 200CX/53" bucket, LX4, 5' grader blade, middlebuster, LandPride 60" RFM, home made grass rake

 

[k0ua]

I am thinking take some maybe 3/4 inch rebar, about 30 inches long spaced mayby 10 inches apart, and the ends of the rebar are welded to a piece of angle 2 inch angle iron, with some 1/4 inch ends welded on the ends of the angle iron for "ears" to bolt through for attachment to the bucket.. leave about 10 inches of the rebar length inside the bucket for enough support. also at the 10 inch length, parralel to the bucket lip weld rebar cross supports between the "tines". Now you have tines sticking out about 20 inches spaced 10 inches apart. then weld a couple of pieces of smaller rebar at an angle to match your bucket lip under the times. this will keep the assembly from rotating up if you put some down pressure on it.
Of course you have to drill 2 holes in the side of your bucket, but no big deal. I think that this will allow you to pickup a lot more grass easily and be useful for brush hauling too.!

James K0UA

 

[Smallplot]

If you have a skid steer quick attach bucket you may consider looking into a 4-in-1 bucket. They have many uses especially with the grapple feature.

 

[SI2305]

k0ua,

I had not thought of using rebar, but that would certainly be sturdier than the tines I had in mind that I can get easily through the local farm supply store. At present, my welding skills are nil, but I suppose that If I continue to make my own implements like this, I may have to learn the skills.

I should add that I am doing this on the ultra cheap. Not only do I have a bad back, but I am recovering from a case of pneumonia--trust me, you don't want it.

Still, the idea of using rebar instead of tines is intriguing. Thanks for the insight.

SI2305

 

[massey990]

I have seen a bolt on attacment to a bucket grapple that uses a piece of expanded metal that works great for compressing leaves into the bucket.

 

[k0ua]

k0ua,

I had not thought of using rebar, but that would certainly be sturdier than the tines I had in mind that I can get easily through the local farm supply store. At present, my welding skills are nil, but I suppose that If I continue to make my own implements like this, I may have to learn the skills.

I should add that I am doing this on the ultra cheap. Not only do I have a bad back, but I am recovering from a case of pneumonia--trust me, you don't want it.

Still, the idea of using rebar instead of tines is intriguing. Thanks for the insight.

SI2305

Ok no welder no problem. use wood then instead of the angle Iron and the cross supports.. Here is how. drill out a 4 x 4 in front at the bucket lip all the way though with a interference fit set back from the lip a bit so you could drill through the bucket 1/2 inch or so and use a 1/2 inch lag screw into the 4 x 4. then another one 10 inches back that is partial drilled thru about 3/4 of the way, again interference fit and pound in the rebar. also lag screw this thru the bucket. Hopefully this would work, and last for a while.. Not as good as welding, but it could work.
Don't worry about the holes thru the bucket, if you don't need them any longer they will weld up nicely when you get your welder My Lincoln AC225 is for sale.. only $150.. Good luck with it.

James K0UA