Could you have used something like this and modified it to fit your 17d mini excavator? Or would it be to heavy...
Link>>> 24" Skid Steer Backhoe Bucket
Very nicely done. Curious, would it be worth your time to make more and sell at a competitive price? Not that I'm looking for one, but others may be in the same situation.
Just read through this and feel the need to compliment you on a job well done, it looks great and must feel good knowing you're scooping up about triple the amount of material.