Side Dump Bucket

snowbound · Dec 24, 2003

Anyone know if you can put a side dump bucket on a tractor loader? I would like to know if this one:

Attachments International Specialty Attachements

or one like it can be used with my TC-35D and 16LA. The loader is already fitted for skid-steer attachments. I expect I'd have to add another hydraulic control but that should be possible.

Deerlope · Dec 24, 2003

I don't see why not. we can usually put on them what ever we can think of. I looked at their site and they do have some neat equip. Happy holidays.

EquipmentJunkie · Dec 24, 2003

Snowbound,
You should be OK with that side-dump bucket. However, find out how much it weighs. I would expect it to be in the 700-800 lbs. range since it looks to be designed for skid steer loaders.
Since you have a capable loader with the 16LA, it should handle the extra weight. But, you will notice the extra 500 lbs. hanging out there. How much does it cost? I would expect it to be at least $3K.

MikePA · Dec 24, 2003

The only thing that would concern me about a side dump bucket is how it would affect the stability of our lighter weight CUTs. As the bucket is rising, but before the material starts to slide out, the center of gravity is starts to shift to one side. With a standard FEL, you only have to worry about the rear of the tractor getting light. With a side dump bucket, it'll be the opposite side. The picture of the skid steer dumping snow is what made me think of this. All that weight, that high in the air and the bucket tipping to one side. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Just curious, how do you want to use the side dump bucket that a standard FEL dumping capability wouldn't suffice?

johnday · Dec 24, 2003

Just what I'm thinking too. I would be VERY careful with this on a small tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

snowbound · Dec 24, 2003

( The only thing that would concern me about a side dump bucket is how it would affect the stability of our lighter weight CUTs.)

I assume that's a problem that can be solved with weights. Plus, snow is relatively light.

( Just curious, how do you want to use the side dump bucket that a standard FEL dumping capability wouldn't suffice?)

The loader bucket _suffices_, but there are places where it's really hard to turn around on the driveway, and where it's not possible to maneuver off the driveway. It's a combination of old stone walls and three different narrow "Y" intersections in my driveway.

So when I saw the side dump bucket on the web I thought that would be exactly what could eliminate a bunch of driving back and forth. Now the TC-35D drives extremely nicely compared to the bad old tractors I grew up with, so I'm not complaining. But if we're about the right tool for the job, that one looks right to me at the moment.

snowbound · Dec 24, 2003

( How much does it cost? I would expect it to be at least $3K.)

I don't know. I haven't found anywhere that sells them. Plus, you never know whether someone has one used somewhere.

Then there will be the cost of adding the additional hydraulic control, since I assume it's three-way control for the side dump bucket.

But it is likely less than the cost of getting a miniature highly maneuverable loader which seems the alternative.

theonlybull · Dec 25, 2003

might be cheaper to have a snowblower strapped on the 3pt.

snowbound · Dec 25, 2003

( might be cheaper to have a snowblower strapped on the 3pt. )

It might be cheaper but we ruled out snowblowers because of the amount of heavy gravel involved - either the blower might choke on them a lot, or it might throw one (and there is enough glass to worry about - aside from picture windows, all the doors on the house are glass, there is a greenhouse). I'm no fan of replacing shear bolts all the time either. Given some of the corners I'd need to get the blower in, I'm not sure rear mounted would be that easy to handle.

Then there is the part about how a rear implement will cost me maneuverability that I already need.

If I do anything, the side dump seems to be the tractor implement that would make things easier. If a tractor implement is not the sensible approach I would probably think about an itty-bitty loader.

snowbound · Dec 29, 2003

I spoke to the Attachments International folks today. These buckets come in a whole range of sizes 54" - 84" and the weights range up to 650# for the 84" bucket. They are expensive, though. Not quite as expensive as an 84" snowblower, though. (Just for comparison - I'm not considering a snowblower).

They say they like to have about 10gpm hydraulic flow and sometimes they have to use a restrictor (one or more are provided with the bucket) because otherwise the buckets dump too fast.

I'm thinking seriously about it.

Taylortractornut · Dec 29, 2003

Snowbound I run a side dump bucket on a friends WA250 Komatsu loader, its about a 2.5 yard bucket on a 3 yard machine. In dirt its a bit unnerving because it will stick in the bucket and caused balance troubles. They are good in gravle and dry sand to. I think one on your tractor would be good for snow but becareful to. One thing with the side dump bucket all the tings you used to dumping under with the regular bucket the side dumper will loacte lol.

snowbound · Dec 29, 2003

( Snowbound I run a side dump bucket on a friends WA250 Komatsu loader, its about a 2.5 yard bucket on a 3 yard machine. In dirt its a bit unnerving because it will stick in the bucket and caused balance troubles.)

Dirt isn't the big item on the menu but I'll keep that in mind. I've already found unexpected uses for implements; but that's also the way to find out all the "gotchas" in them.

( They are good in gravle and dry sand too. I think one on your tractor would be good for snow but becareful to. One thing with the side dump bucket all the tings you used to dumping under with the regular bucket the side dumper will locate lol. )

That won't be that big of a problem. We have plenty of clearance above. It's the room to turn around that we're short on. Of course, it's this attitude that I don't have to worry about it that primes me for the time I get hung up on it...

Taylortractornut · Dec 29, 2003

Snowbound We used the side dump bucket on one job where we had to clean out trash and silt plugged rail road ditch that we put a new culvert in. I took a Case backhoe and cleand out alot of sand rocks and topsoild and other types of silt. Then later had to use an excavator with a 2 yard bucket. We we piling the stuff on the shoulder of a 4 lane. We tried with a bobcat but it disturbed the road sholder too much doing a 90 degree turn pluss there was too much spoil. We had ne lane blocked off and would let the trucks fall in beside the WA250. With the side dump bucket we could let the truck sit beside us then I could scoop thenpull up beside the truck then side dump. It speeded the whole job up. One thing i found a good alternative use for us was on the lighter soup left behind I could side dump the bucket and leave it in that position. Then use it like an angle blade to windrow the last of the mud for final removal. They ae also good comming out of a hole like basement excavation to side dump into a perpendicular truck.

snowbound · Dec 30, 2003

Yeah I was sort of wondering if you could use the bucket as an angle blade a little bit on soft stuff. We've got some trenches that settled too much from when we had to replace our water lines (about 400 feet of trench like indentations) and I figure filling those in is just what the side dump bucket could do in the off season. If the bucket I get can do that it will save a good deal of time. I guess this would suggest sizing the bucket so that with a slight angle it will cover the tracks.

One other thing that makes sense is that with the extra hydraulic circuit I might just use that for the plow angle, too, instead of using the curl hoses like I do now. One less set of hydraulic quick couplers to mess with, and the curl is useful in picking up and putting down implements.

On the other, my brother came over and suggested that a carefully planned pattern of plowing would lessen the need to move the piles around. Thus avoiding the need for the side dump bucket. The more he explained the strategy the more I figured that the side dump bucket was the way to go. Nothing wrong with strategy as such, but his driveway is straight, with no angular y-intersections, and no stone walls and gates. Two passes with a rear blade and he's out of there.

Taylortractornut · Dec 30, 2003

Snow bound Im glad we dont have snow here lol well other than 3 inches per year. My cousin is wanting me to build him snow blo for the light snows where he lives I my trying to convince him to let me build him a big snow bucket or something else lol.

snowbound · Dec 30, 2003

( Snow bound Im glad we dont have snow here lol well other than 3 inches per year. My cousin is wanting me to build him snow blo for the light snows where he lives I my trying to convince him to let me build him a big snow bucket or something else lol. )

I have to admit that I don't live where the snow is that frequent, so annual snowfall here isn't that terrifying. But with the increasing severity of storms over the years, it's not that uncommon to get a couple feet overnight. Last year we got snowed in for three days twice, which I why I got the tractor with the snow plow. I half expected this to stop it from snowing at all, but already we've had one big snow.

rambler · Dec 31, 2003

I live in Minnesota, where the snow comes & stays all winter.

I guess this thread reminds me of all the poorly designed driveways I've seen! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif We need snow blowers here on the prairie, where the wind blows the snow all winter long. If you don't blow the snow away, it just piles up & drifts in twice as deep in a few hours - and the next time, twice as deep again....

I look as some of the driveway configurations folks come up with in summer - and just shake my head. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I understand you are where you are with what you have, don't mean to be complaining about this to you Snowbound. Just an observation. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Using that side-dump rig, I'd not be able to lift the bucket high enough to dump the snow by March 'here'. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Nice link to some funky equipment, enjoy seeing it.

--->Paul

snowbound · Jan 1, 2004

( I live in Minnesota, where the snow comes & stays all winter.

I guess this thread reminds me of all the poorly designed driveways I've seen!)

I'll give you that. Our driveway looks really nice but it's not designed with plowing in mind.

( /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif We need snow blowers here on the prairie, where the wind blows the snow all winter long. If you don't blow the snow away, it just piles up & drifts in twice as deep in a few hours - and the next time, twice as deep again....)

I'm from Buffalo originally, where you need snowblowers too, but they don't always work - sometimes the snow gets too mushy to blow if it's warm enough. Where you are, I think you can count on it being cold enough for snow to blow (in fact that's why you get the drifting issue). Here, near the Gulf Stream, we get snow but we don't seem to get the cold as much. So we get a lot of mushy, sleety icy heavy stuff which this year the weather guys are starting to call "wintry mix". Sort of like Quickcrete because if it turns cold then it can set right in with black ice underneath.

( I look as some of the driveway configurations folks come up with in summer - and just shake my head. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif)

I certainly didn't design my driveway. I might redesign it, though.

( Using that side-dump rig, I'd not be able to lift the bucket high enough to dump the snow by March 'here'.)

That's a really good point. I can't imagine that amount of accumulation here, though.

Given what you say it's kind of ironic that the people that make the side dump bucket for snow removal are in Minnesota, eh?

I have a friend who lives in Saskatchewan; when I talk about snow removal he just giggles.