Question about quick attach brackets

[stuckmotor]

My homemade skid steer quick attach is nearing completion. The tabs I used are the ones I cut off of my bucket. Now I need a quick attach adapter on the back of the bucket. The adapters that I see on line, are the kind that have two plates on them. They're the approximate size of the plates that stay on the loader. I'd rather just weld the upper, lower, and side parts directly to it the bucket and omit the plates. Are these plates necessary to reinforce the bucket and prevent bending it?

 

[kennyd]

Are these plates necessary to reinforce the bucket and prevent bending it?

I cant say for sure if its "necessary", but I do think its a good idea and it's really not that much weight to be worried about. I would drill some holes and plug weld in a few spots as well.

 

[duroc]

Are these plates necessary to reinforce the bucket and prevent bending it?

I would think that welding a plate to the bucket is going to double the strength of the attaching point of the bucket while also spreading the load further out onto the bucket. IMO, they are necessary for added strength. YMMV!

 

[Paul N]

When I converted my FEL to SSQA, I just welded the the attachment parts directly to the bucket. I figured the bucket is just as strong now as it was before. Look at a commercially made SS bucket, they don't have that extra plate. The plates you see online are just to make it simple, at a cost of $100 or more. Since you're already a do-it-yourselfer, you can put this together for no more than 10 bucks.

 

[stuckmotor]

Thanks for all of the answers that have come in to my poorly worded question. I should have asked how commercially made quick attach buckets are made and was about to rephrase the question when I saw Paul's answer. He told me exactly what needed to know.

 

[Paul N]

Stuckmotor,

If you get the chance, could you post some pictures? I'm always interested in how other people do things.

 

[bandaidmd]

I used one of the 1/4" plates that was bowtie shaped and it made it real easy but I'm sure the back of the bucket is strong enough without adding another layer of steel. The ssqa actually spreads the load over a wider area than the stock pin brackets.

Cutting off the stock brackets sure was fun...not.

 

[stuckmotor]

Paul,
Please see the PM I sent you.
Stuck

 

[stuckmotor]

Bandaidmd,
I cut the tabs off the bucket with an angle grinder and I wouldn't want to do it again.

 

[2458n]

I will remember to keep my friend with the still new to him plasma cutter in mind.