Reinforcement for FEL bucket

[djw250]

I'm sure that a lot of you have done something like this. It only took me a couple of weeks to bend the top of my FEL bucket on my new Mahindra 3510, and I'd like to reinforce the top edge of the bucket and maybe add some hooks. My idea is to take a piece of 2 X 1/4 inch angle and weld to the top of the bucket, then weld some tabs to bolt on hooks on each end and in the center. Anybody have any suggestions or pictures of mods that you have done, please post them up.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Bob_Skurka]

There is actually a photo comparision of factory buckets from several manufacturers where we rated the buckets on various different criteria. If you care to search for it, it might help you.

The really heavy duty buckets that impress me the most are from New Holland, they have a heavy round tube welded under the top lip of the bucket that makes for a very stout upper lip. I'd suggest you will get a lot more strength from a 2" or 3" pipe than you will from angle iron. If you want attachment points or hooks on the top lip, you could easily weld those up after the tube is in place. Just my thoughts.

I use a New Holland TC24 and a Kubota B2910. The B2910 is the bigger machine, but the bucket is lighter duty. I welded hooks on the upper lip of my TC bucket and with the way NH reinforced the bucket I've never even thought I might bend it. I've lifted and carried 18' steel car ramps with it that made the back end of the tractor feel light (even with a weight box attached) but never had a problem with bending the bucket lip.

 

[PILOON]

The method most often used fo hooks is to first weld a reinforcement plate (maybe 3" x 5") and then to weld the hook to the center of the plate.
Plate would preferably be a guage thicker than bucket stock.
This spreads loads.

I have 3 hooks on my bucket (one center and 2 near each corner) , actually had the rear 'off the ground' under load strains without any ill effects to bucket.

The bucket otherwise being an engineered item could simply 'sport' the war wounds with no ill effects and I doubt if you'd need to add reinforcement as with hooks that would not happen again.

My bucket has folded over flanges on top lip and true to form I have a few 'kinks' from hooking the chain hook on the lip as well.

Hooking on the lip is also a dangerous practice as the chain hook can slide off to the side under load and result in a tipover or injure a helper if nearby when the load shifts.

My opinion.

 

[Bedlam]

My bucket sounds similiar to the one you describe. My dealer when they sold me the tractor, has a policy to weld a strip of metal ito that gap on the top of the bucket. this certainly reinforced the bucket. Never have I had a problem with it. The hooks were than welded on, and now that I look at them I see they use a clevis hook and neetly trimmed off the clevis section.Looks very sleek.
Allan

 

[leaddog]

Use 1-1/2 in channel on edge. Weld it to the top edge and then cut 3/8 in slots every couple feet. You can then hook your chain in whatever slot you need and you won't need chain hooks. I have used this setup for years and it works excelent. It is very easy to adjust your chain to just the right length.
Leaddog

 

[flusher]

Here's what I have on the LA302 FEL for my B7510HST. The dealer welded a 1/4" thick reinforcing strip to the top of the bucket before welding the chain hooks.

 

[PineRidge]

If it were me I would use a good sized square tube on top of the bucket also bolted to the sides plates of the bucket. That way if you decide at a later time that you want an add a bucket grapple you already have the base installed.

 

[Justaplain]

I use 2" square on top. bcs

 

[djw250]

Thanks for all the good ideas. I think I'll modify my original idea to include the square tubing. I just happen to have some 2" square tubing on hand, and that gives me some other ideas as well.

 

[herringchoker]

I used 2x2x1/8 angle on the LA402 on my Kubota B7800 and welded 3 hooks to that. Works for me.