Dirt Moving M7060 Frame Not Strong Enough For a Toothed Bucket?

[gpajimbo1180]

Just bought an M7060 in December. I am looking for a toothed bucket or tooth bar to do some light digging... culvert pipe and some re-contouring so I called my local Kubota dealer to see what they had. The parts manager told me that "they" don't recommend putting a toothed bucket on Ag tractors because the frames are too weak to support it. I am a little surprised at this and was wondering if anyone had any details or support for this claim one way or the other?

Thanks!

 

[jcummins]

No tooth bar here....but I've had two different M7040 with toothed grapples. Done a lot of grubbing of trees etc. I've have zero problems. I'd go for it.

 

[moriboy]

I have an M7040 and I use both a toothed bucket and a grapple. Zero issues so far, but I don't push it as hard as I can because I don't want problems.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I cant see that a toothed bar or bucket would put any more strain on a FEL than a straight blade. Either should be able to take the full force of all 4 wheels spinning in dirt. A toothed bar makes digging much easier so there is actually less strain on the bucket and FEL frame.

I would say that your parts manager is totally ignorant or just plain stupid to even suggest that their tractors were too weak to use a tooth bar. I would go further and say that he likely doesn't even know what one is if it isn't in his parts book. I wouldn't put much faith in a parts counter guy to know anything about the actual tractors. Many of them don't even know much about their parts.

 

[Gary Fowler]

With all the above said, an FEL isn't your best tool for digging but can be used for light removal of dirt. Other attachments are much better for digging.

 

[big bubba]

have a Woods hd toothbar on my 6' bucket (8540) for 9 yrs now. plenty of use excavating/ boulder removal. never a problem. if a toothbar compromises the overall power train on an M series, something's seriously wrong. my suggestion...get the heaviest duty toothbar you can find.
M series is the cat's a _ s for durability. on this subject, believe your service rep is mistaken

 

[gpajimbo1180]

Thanks for the replies. I was surprised to say the least when I heard that!

 

[oosik]

I think I might be looking for another dealership where the parts manager might be a bit more knowledgeable. I have a tooth bar on my M6040 bucket and have used it for eight years with no problems. My previous tractor had a tooth bar for 25+ years with no problems.

 

[nybirdman]

Ya,that parts guy is all wet.I have had a tooth bar on my L4240 for quite some time.Order one on line.

 

[redmaher]

Hmmm maybe we should warn this dealer??? Lol

 

[gpajimbo1180]

Haha, nice!

 

[mikester]

In defence of the dealer AG tractors are not build heavy duty enough to handle the loads of construction duty equipment . Yes it will work but you will wear out your pins and bushings pretty quick.

Adding 6 inches to the front of your bucket puts a lot more strain on your loader and tractor.

I'd be willing to bet that used tractor shown in the photo with a toothed bucket will have a lot of slop in the loader especially if it's been used a lot.

 

[Ken45101]

With all the above said, an FEL isn't your best tool for digging but can be used for light removal of dirt. Other attachments are much better for digging.

+1. As one salesman pointed out to me years ago, it is a LOADER not an EXCAVATOR. But I don't think a M7040 has the power or the traction to really get into trouble. Of course that assumes you are taking things slow and easy, not getting a run and jabbing it into rock.

 

[big bubba]

agree with the idea that in general, fel's are not meant for excavation. more for moving loads, etc....but, disagree with idea that the tooth bar alone will put a machine at risk.

in fact, the case might be made that having a tooth bar might slightly ease the stress of taking a shallow cut since it aids in digging....maybe like using a round vs square nose shovel digging a hole.

 

[JWR]

agree with the idea that in general, fel's are not meant for excavation. more for moving loads, etc....but, disagree with idea that the tooth bar alone will put a machine at risk.

in fact, the case might be made that having a tooth bar might slightly ease the stress of taking a shallow cut since it aids in digging....maybe like using a round vs square nose shovel digging a hole.

Agree. You will run out of traction and ability to produce force long before you run out of loader frame or tractor frame which ever they meant. Your Kubota loader is very stout and you are not at risk at all. I think Bubba has a perfect analogy in square nose vs round nose shovels. I think if you are trying to cut down hard packed clay , in reverse with the bucket nose down, you are a whole lot more likely to bust something. And the teeth tend to make that easier, not harder. Take it easy on the parts guy -- he has almost certainly been instructed to cover the Kubota ***. Just doing his duty.

 

[mike69440]

Should be fine, just don't get stupid, like prying from the bucket edge, "Ramming speed" etc.

One of the reasons I've not wanted a tooth bar on my Max28.

 

[stuckmotor]

This thread brings to mind another that sparked my interest. As I remember it someone said that utility tractors were not rated for digging. I'd not thought about it before.

 

[kthompson]

If the parts person is at dealership you work with I would asking him again and if you get the same answer ask what that is base upon. He could had models mixed up, he could have had a bad thought process on that topic or he have seen damage done with that setup.

 

[Rustyiron]

Just remember it's more of a shovel, not a pic axe. Especially with these EZ removable loaders. Look at the older farm loaders and they had a rather large support at the top of the boom mounting area, running usually downward to a heavy support at the front, much heavier built but it did not remove easily (or at all). Like all machinery, just gotta use common sense. If you've ever "snagged" a root or big rock with a tooth bucket while poking along at even walking speed……. I think the part's guy has some merit, especially dealing with the general public. Search TBN for guy's that wonder why their bucket no longer sit's flat on flat ground. It does happen.