Loader Hello all and I need help!

mmarmino · Feb 9, 2017

Hello all!
New guy here. I purchased a Ford 445A last year and love it. When I bought it, the loader bucket was pretty worn with many rust holes in it. But after a few hundred hours and after moving many kentucky rocks, its slap wore out! Question is does anyone know where to look and what else might fit it?

jeff9366 · Feb 9, 2017

I would take it to a GOOD welding shop and have them repair and reinforce the existing bucket.

$300 for a GOOD rebuild will be cheaper than any alternative and you will not have fit issues.

Xfaxman · Feb 10, 2017

You could also have the welding shop make a set of forks for it.

fried1765 · Feb 10, 2017

Xfaxman said:
You could also have the welding shop make a set of forks for it.

View attachment 498297

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I have a set of Ford factory loader forks sitting in my barn.
They are not quick attach, and have been in the barn for 30 years!
30 years ago I had a welding shop make me a set just like these.
I have used, and loved them for 30 years.
Forks are the absolute handiest tool to have, and I do not need to leave the seat to hook them up.
The capacity of my factory forks is 2000 lbs., the capacity of this type, out beyond the bucket, is only 1000 lbs.
Works for me though!

flyerdan · Feb 10, 2017

Chances are it's primarily the bottom, and a little up the back that is rusted, the rest is probably fairly solid so it would be cheaper to have a fab shop cut out the bad steel and put new it, they can probably roll it to match. Straighten things that need it and add a bit of flat bar up the sides to keep it from curling like that again and you should be good to go.

ovrszd · Feb 10, 2017

Welcome to TBN!!!

I'd do cheap repairs to the bucket until it just won't work anymore. From the pic, it doesn't look too bad.

Not sure how this discussion got off onto forks...