SSQA Snow removal bucket?

[jdom84]

I'm thinking about building a lightweight snow removal bucket for my little XJ2025 tractor. The tiny bucket it comes with is great for doing dirt work but snow doesn't weigh much and i would want to get as much as possible with each scoop. I looked at larger buckets at the rental shop or available to purchase but they are all really heavily built.

My lift capacity is ~1270lbs at the pins and it would be used for moving snow from my families down town business, which has a small parking lot and no where to put the snow. Last year they paid a guy $150 an hour to haul it away...

I have a 4x8 sheet of 3/16" steel I could use to fab into the bucket and use some 1/2" thick bar for the lip.

has anyone done anything like this or have any thoughts on using the 3/16" steel?

 

[tomplum]

It could work. Isn't about the thickness of the current bucket body? Do you have a suitable dump truck for the mine and will you have the height to load it with your loader? Or is this so you can make a higher bank?

 

[jdom84]

We did have a dump truck but had to sell it when some of the partners split and needed cash to keep running. But there would be no way to reach that high on the same level ground... Luckily where this building is located, it has a tiered parking lot. One side is 8 feet higher held up by a 10 foot tall concrete retaining wall.

I do have my 12k dump trailer that is a low pro... which the little xj2025 fits in perfectly btw. The lift height on the XJ2025 does pretty good with it, but a bigger bucket might be an issue depending on how long it is.

 

[Xfaxman]

Some possibilities here, snow bucket: snow bucket for tractor -blade - Google Search

And light materials tractor bucket: light materials tractor bucket - Google Search

 

[jdom84]

Some possibilities here, snow bucket: snow bucket for tractor -blade - Google Search

And light materials tractor bucket: light materials tractor bucket - Google Search

thanks! I figured i was calling it the wrong thing... Light material bucket is exactly what im looking for

Kubota BX 6" Quick attach light material bucket attachments - snow bucket

I think I still want to go a little larger because this BX one isn't much bigger then my current bucket but this is a good place to start.

 

[texasranger556]

I'd think 3/16 would be plenty strong. Doubt my JD bucket is any thicker than that actually. Your sheet of steel weighs 250 lbs, so once you lay out your dimensions on it you can have a pretty good idea of how much your bucket will weigh (plus maybe 20-30% more for reinforcement, cutting edge, SSQA, etc).

 

[jdom84]

That bx one is 12gauge... Maybe the 3/16" is to thick? At-least it would be plenty stout. after building it in sketchup my 4x8 sheet barely makes one that same size. Ill have to see what else I can get my hands on.

 

[jdom84]

With the materials I have on hand, I think ill build it like this. Now the question is. can I find the metal I'm looking for under all the snow?

 

[not2old]

I have a 2010 GC 2610 TLB which I use to clear a 150' long gravel drive. The 4' wide OEM bucket was taking too long to clear this, so I made my own bucket at 6' wide and also about 6" higher. I expected a little over 50% larger would reduce my time by about 25% but have found that it has cut it in half. I spend much less time cleaning up the windrows. I made mine from +/- 1/8" sheet steel with reinforcing around the home designed Q/A as the OEM styles I found would be too heavy for my 800 lb. capacity loader and buying an OEM bucket was cost prohibitive. I used 3/8 x 3 mild steel for a cutting blade and don't need to sharpen it. Time will tell how long it will last before needing replacement. I'm pleased with how well it works and well worth the effort.

 

[Reb954]

Something to keep in mind, most manufacturers making buckets and such use 1011/1012 mild steel due to their lasers cutting it easier. Steel suppliers around here have 1018 mild steel, check your supplier to be sure what they sell. The 1018 is considerably stronger than 1011 material so you can use thinner material to save weight.