Re: Since we\'re talking about chippers...
Dave,
Here is a link to an earlier post I made about my bucket forks:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=buildit&Number=256552&Forum=buildit&Words=bucket%20forks&Match=And&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=256134&Search=true#Post256552
A local welder made them from my hand sketch. They cost me $75 for the pair, not including the chain, binders, vinyl tubing, and paint. These other items cost around $65, I didn't have anything lying around to scrounge.
I adapted my design from those I've seen on this board. I modifed mine a little by using flat stock to join the upper and lower channel pieces, using an overlapping joint. All parts can be cut with a chop saw, the joints are easy to weld, and plenty strong. Setting the gap is easy, just use a couple of pieces of wood the same thickness as the bucket edge, clamp the channel halves halves together, weld on the flat stock side pieces, weld on the chain, and you're done.
The JD bucket is ideal to use with this design because the top front edge of the bucket is curled down (the Kubota bucket required some reinforcement of its curled up top edge). The bucket will flex a little when you tighten the binders, but I've picked up some really heavy loads with no harm.
Dave,
Here is a link to an earlier post I made about my bucket forks:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=buildit&Number=256552&Forum=buildit&Words=bucket%20forks&Match=And&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=256134&Search=true#Post256552
A local welder made them from my hand sketch. They cost me $75 for the pair, not including the chain, binders, vinyl tubing, and paint. These other items cost around $65, I didn't have anything lying around to scrounge.
I adapted my design from those I've seen on this board. I modifed mine a little by using flat stock to join the upper and lower channel pieces, using an overlapping joint. All parts can be cut with a chop saw, the joints are easy to weld, and plenty strong. Setting the gap is easy, just use a couple of pieces of wood the same thickness as the bucket edge, clamp the channel halves halves together, weld on the flat stock side pieces, weld on the chain, and you're done.
The JD bucket is ideal to use with this design because the top front edge of the bucket is curled down (the Kubota bucket required some reinforcement of its curled up top edge). The bucket will flex a little when you tighten the binders, but I've picked up some really heavy loads with no harm.
