My Bucket modifications

[Mercmaniac]

I picked up a lot of great ideas here. I added an angle across the top. It was 3"x 4". I cut the 3" leg down to 1 5/8". 1/4" x 1 1/2" pieces up the sides. A gusset underneath the top at the middle and a 1/4" x 3" on the back middle.

 

[wdchyd]

Looks great Mercmaniac.....:thumbsup:

I like the receiver setup.....

 

[smalltown]

Great looking work. That really "beefed" up the bucket :thumbsup:

 

[B58Hustler]

Very nice! Well thought out and excellent welding. Counting the toothbar, how much weight do you think was added?

 

[kebo]

Yep, looks very nice, very sturdy! If you ever bend that, you know you've messed up!!!

 

[Mercmaniac]

Dave, I weighed the metal prior to welding and it was around 35 lbs. The Gator toothbar is around 70 I think.

 

[jfrady]

Wow! Very nice

 

[glc24]

Very nicely done,and I agree with Dave,an excellent welding job!:thumbsup:

Greg

 

[Mercmaniac]

Wish I could take credit for the welding. A friend of mine has a welding company and one of his guys did it. I cut out all the metal and had it ready to weld.

 

[jonyyuma]

They did some pretty work it looks pro...including installation..added about 100 lbs total?

 

[wooden]

I picked up a lot of great ideas here. I added an angle across the top. It was 3"x 4". I cut the 3" leg down to 1 5/8". 1/4" x 1 1/2" pieces up the sides. A gusset underneath the top at the middle and a 1/4" x 3" on the back middle.

I know one thing for sure!! you are one sick dude!! even sicker than me, because I think you love your welder almost as much as I love my 2720, Now don't get me wrong, I have a Miller 302 trailblazer that I haven't started welding on my tractor as yet with, but I am going to follow you around to see how many of your welding additions rubs off on me. Plus, your welding skills are way better than mine. I love what you did with that bucket! Really haven't done any welding as yet because I don't have the proper cutting tools for steel. Guess a plasma cutter is next ha?

 

[beppington]

Any idea what the materials cost you?

That thing looks great :thumbsup:

 

[Mercmaniac]

beppington, I didn't have to buy the metal. Chain hooks form AW direct for $6.99 each. Hitch from Harbor Freight-$13.58. 2 spray cans of JD green $8.99 each. 1 can of primer $5.99. I owe my welder buddy a day of trolling for salmon on Lake Ontario this summer.

 

[foggy1111]

That is one of the nicest bucket mod's I've seen done. WTG :thumbsup:

 

[USNative]

Very Nice Work !!! Just what I need to do on mine. That bucket ought to last a good long time. :thumbsup:

 

[JB4310]

That thing looks like the Abraham's tank of buckets Looks great!!

Those HF hitches are just perfect for anyone who wants a receiver hitch on their bucket but doesn't weld.

Was that a light duty bucket to begin with? without the double wall top?

I put a receiver on my HD 5 ft JD bucket, but so far have not needed the extra reinforcements.

JB.

 

[Dargo]

I picked up a lot of great ideas here. I added an angle across the top. It was 3"x 4". I cut the 3" leg down to 1 5/8". 1/4" x 1 1/2" pieces up the sides. A gusset underneath the top at the middle and a 1/4" x 3" on the back middle.

I'm a picky SOB, especially when it comes to metal fabrication and welding. Just ask anyone here . Having said that, I want to say "great job"! Great concept and great work to bring your concept to life. :thumbsup:

 

[Mercmaniac]

Thanks to all for the compliments. I too am a picky SOB. I had the tractor for 3 weeks before that bucket touched any dirt. I wanted to complete most of my mod's before I put it to work....that was real tough. Starting digging into an old stump pile last weekend and I love that machine!!

JB, I have the 53" materials bucket hence my beefing it up. If they had the 53" in an HD model I would have just gotten that. I didn't want to go with the 61" because of navigating thru my woods on the trails I already have. My 53" will hold alot more than the spade shovel I have used for the past 20 yrs!! LOL

 

[JB4310]

Now that it's all reinforced, you're better off with the materials bucket cause you have more volume. Especially if it's a toss up between the 53 and 61, the 53 high volume looks like the happy middle.

I bought a 73" light materials bucket just for snow removal.

JB.

 

[megaboz]

I like the upside down hitch idea. I did the same thing but to my trailer so I could take the winch on and off or use it in the receiver of my truck.