Loader bucket convert to 3 point box blade/earthmover

moparrob · May 17, 2019

Apparently Im really cheap as the price of a new HD box scraper is appalling to me, and used ones aren't much cheaper. I may have a good price on an old Cat loader/backhoe front bucket and the wheels started turning. I really like the idea of rollover box scrapers, but also like how my loader can scoop up and carry dirt over a distance. My loader, however, cant change its side-to-side angle like a 3 point implement can. Has anyone seen or heard of a device like this? Im planning on building a c shaped frame with the 3 point attachment points, and a pivot point at the ends of the frame where the loader bucket can rotate from blade forward for cutting/scooping, blade up for carrying dirt across the site, and blade rearward to allow scarifier teeth (attached about where the loader bucket pins would be) to loosen soil. Of course, I'll need a mechanism to lock the bucket in the different positions, but that can be as simple as hitch pins and corresponding holes. What say the TBN hive mind?

Big Barn · May 17, 2019

Be sure the loader bucket you buy doesn’t have a bent bottom.

Wolfy · May 18, 2019

The smallest Caterpillar backhoe that Im aware of was a 416, which is substantially bigger than a M59. I think you will be getting a real workout.

moparrob · May 18, 2019

The one I'm looking at is 92". It doesn't say Cat on it, but the pin pattern looks like cat.

Xfaxman · May 18, 2019

moparrob said:
Apparently I'm really cheap as the price of a new HD box scraper is appalling to me, and used ones aren't much cheaper. I may have a good price on an old Cat loader/backhoe front bucket and the wheels started turning. I really like the idea of rollover box scrapers, but also like how my loader can scoop up and carry dirt over a distance. My loader, however, can't change its side-to-side angle like a 3 point implement can. --------------------------------------------

Just general information for those that have never seen a Tilt-Tach. On a loader with QA, you can add a Tilt-Tach to easily change the side-to-side angle:

Didn't take pictures with the bucket on it, so here it is with the 6' box blade on a 3 point adapter:

Xfaxman · May 18, 2019

And the custom search box at the top of the page found this for the 3 point: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/310031-3pt-bucket-plow-fabrication-2.html

moparrob · May 18, 2019

Good stuff! I'd never heard of the Tilt-tach. I'll definitely look into it!

EarPlug · May 19, 2019

I don't think this would be a very good idea. Loader Arms are not designed to be a bulldozer. They are capable of a strait, inline pushing but I would be very concerned about the side loading that an angled implement would place on the arms.

moparrob · May 19, 2019

I definitely wouldn't use it on my old Mahindra for sure, but the M59 and most skid steers are pretty beefy. I imagine a dozer blade pushing dirt would be more strain than a loader bucket scooping at an angle, which is what I'm after. Is it any worse than my current method of tilting the whole machine with the backhoe arm extended in the direction I want to dig?