Teeth for mini-excavator buckets

sflranchok · Jan 30, 2006

As many of you know, I recently purchased a new KX71-3. Have put on about 65 hours over the past 10 days, with heavy digging through sandstone and iron rock.

Here's my question. Initially I bought some Hensley rock teeth for the bucket from the Kubota dealer. When they ran out of teeth, I sourced the teeth from a company called Kirby -Smith. Amazingly the teeth were from the same manufacturer for 50% or more, less than the dealer. Being new to mini-ex, is this something I should come to expect from Kubota? How about another source for filters, etc?

I don't want to rub the dealer the wrong way, but my money tree stopped producing years ago. JI selected the mini-excavator based on it's performance and reputation. Now I need to make sure the neccessary supplies are sourced in a fair, competitive way also.....your thoughts?

Steve

Kubotamann · Jan 31, 2006

As far as filters, try Filter1.com. They sell all Wix filters and they have some of the necessary filters for my 3710HST. If Wix makes it, they will carry it.

MessickFarmEqu · Jan 31, 2006

if you found the same teeth for a cheaper price- go for it! I'd be careful with filters though. Your only going save a few $$ going with a filter that may or may not be up to the OEM standards. If it where up to me I'd spend MORE money and get the best filters available to protect my investment.

Part of the reason for the price difference maybe because there is an extra middleman in the process. Those parts probably come from Hensley, then work-brea, then kubota and finaly your dealer.

nobull1 · Jan 31, 2006

IMO buy the Kubota filters till your warranty is over. The last thing you need is a possible warranty problem due to non Kubota parts. Don't give Kubota a reason not to Honor their warranty. Once the warranty expires then I would look at all filters and make your choice. As far as the teeth go I wouldn't buy Kubota as they are only a reseller as you have found out. Just curious as to how many hours and teeth you have used to date?

sflranchok · Jan 31, 2006

( IMO buy the Kubota filters till your warranty is over. The last thing you need is a possible warranty problem due to non Kubota parts. Don't give Kubota a reason not to Honor their warranty. Once the warranty expires then I would look at all filters and make your choice. As far as the teeth go I wouldn't buy Kubota as they are only a reseller as you have found out. Just curious as to how many hours and teeth you have used to date? )

68 hours, 3 flat teeth used and just starting on third set of Hensley 156 WT (tiger teeth). The job has been a bear, but glad I have the right ammo!

I agree wholeheartedly about using Kubota spec'd filters. What caused me to consider alternative sources for filters was the huge gap in the teeth price from the dealer to another supplier. And I am speaking of exactly the same brand of teeth, Hensley. I just didn't know if there was an alternate source for same brand name filters.

You guys are great.

nobull1 · Jan 31, 2006

So you went through 1 set of flat teeth and 2 sets of tiger teeth in 68 hours /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. I think I would try a different MFG to see if they last longer. I don't know what came on mine but I have about 400 hours and I will replace them in the Spring. A person could probably get another 100 hours use if they really wanted to. Our area has a lot of rock and clay and they last a lot longer than yours /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif. Anyhow what type of tiger teeth are you using the single or twin point? It would be nice to see some pic's of what you are doing and how far the teeth are worn when you change them. A set of teeth every 20-25 hours "seems" like a lot. How much are the teeth in your area and do you replace the pin at the same time? Just curious.

sflranchok · Jan 31, 2006

( So you went through 1 set of flat teeth and 2 sets of tiger teeth in 68 hours /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. I think I would try a different MFG to see if they last longer. I don't know what came on mine but I have about 400 hours and I will replace them in the Spring. A person could probably get another 100 hours use if they really wanted to. Our area has a lot of rock and clay and they last a lot longer than yours /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif. Anyhow what type of tiger teeth are you using the single or twin point? It would be nice to see some pic's of what you are doing and how far the teeth are worn when you change them. A set of teeth every 20-25 hours "seems" like a lot. How much are the teeth in your area and do you replace the pin at the same time? Just curious. )

I have been using the twin point Hensley tiger teeth. Unfortunately I am constantly cutting through 2 - 2 1/2 feet of sandstone. The final depth of the water line ditch is 4 feet. We are about 1,600 feet into the 3,600 feet project. The first set of standard teeth went pretty fast due to operator error - I was not aware of "rock" teeth. I am using the 12 inch bucket. After I get about 3/4 inch worn down on the outside tine of the tiger tooth, I swap the two outside teeth, so as to get equal wear on the tooth. The most challenging rock I have come across is what we refer to as Iron Ore rock = you really do not dig through it, just try to get under it and move it.

Well, time to get back at it. In the meantime, do you have any other ideas for teeth manufacturers, most suggest Hensley is top of line.

sflranchok · Jan 31, 2006

Sorry, missed your last two questions. The twin tooth through the parts wholesaler is $17.50 and I do not replace the pins unless I lose one /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

nobull1 · Jan 31, 2006

Well Hensley is supposed to be top of the line as far as I have heard. I would think that your teeth are the same as mine #23, side pin with a steel both sides with nubs on one side rubber in the middle. If it is the same as mine it is a common John Deere tooth as well. You might want to see your John Deere dealer and see what they have. Now is a prime time to test out different teeth due to how fast they are wearing. I guess 1600' is quite a bit of digging at 4' deep so maybe it is not as bad as I had first thought especially considering the conditions.

Botabill · Jan 31, 2006

That's quite a project you've taken on. My KX41 has only about 60 hours on it so you've got diggin seniority on me now. Did you ever operate an excavator before. If not you are probably pretty good at it now. Is this a personal family thing or a paying job? Bill

sflranchok · Jan 31, 2006

( Well Hensley is supposed to be top of the line as far as I have heard. I would think that your teeth are the same as mine #23, side pin with a steel both sides with nubs on one side rubber in the middle. If it is the same as mine it is a common John Deere tooth as well. You might want to see your John Deere dealer and see what they have. Now is a prime time to test out different teeth due to how fast they are wearing. I guess 1600' is quite a bit of digging at 4' deep so maybe it is not as bad as I had first thought especially considering the conditions. )

Actually, my 12 inch and 24 inch buckets use Hensley X 156 teeth, with a front pin. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
You are in Canada, right? Maybe that's one of the differences between you and the USA, not sure.

sflranchok · Jan 31, 2006

( That's quite a project you've taken on. My KX41 has only about 60 hours on it so you've got diggin seniority on me now. Did you ever operate an excavator before. If not you are probably pretty good at it now. Is this a personal family thing or a paying job? Bill )

I have primarily operated family tractors as a weekend or summer hobbiest for 20 or so years, though I did spend one week several years ago renting a Komatsu 270 excavator to get some off the silt out of one of our ponds. I will likely pass 150 hours before this project is completed. Then I'll use the KX71 to thin out about 68 acres for projected home sites and about 1 1/4 miles of road way. This is not a revenue generating job directly, though hopefully will provide some future income as I ease into retirement (by selling lots). To complete the story, we priced our house on the very high end of what we thought it might bring - - and sure enough - - someone showed up willing to pay the price. Now we are in a rental, and very very eager to get started constructing or newhome, since it will be the first house adjoining the development! In other words, watch out for what you pray for, for it can come true.

nobull1 · Jan 31, 2006

When I was at the dealer a month or so ago they had said they were changing the teeth design. Mine is a old 2004 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif and you have the latest and greatest. Some people say the John Deere is the best setup some say Cat is. Don't know if any one is better or not just so long as they don't fall off.
Have you had a chance to use your 12" bucket in any mud yet. I am curious as to whether it packs with mud that won't release. That seems to be a complaint some have of the smaller buckets. I could use one at times but am a little reluctant to purchase due to the above reason.
Not to hijack your thread but what grease and how often do you do it?

sflranchok · Feb 1, 2006

( When I was at the dealer a month or so ago they had said they were changing the teeth design. Mine is a old 2004 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif and you have the latest and greatest. Some people say the John Deere is the best setup some say Cat is. Don't know if any one is better or not just so long as they don't fall off.
Have you had a chance to use your 12" bucket in any mud yet. I am curious as to whether it packs with mud that won't release. That seems to be a complaint some have of the smaller buckets. I could use one at times but am a little reluctant to purchase due to the above reason.
Not to hijack your thread but what grease and how often do you do it? )
I have used the 12 inch bucket exclusively for this project. Just now getting into some mucking dirt. I have had to use a shooter shovel a couple of times to "unplug" it. It really depends on your digging needs, unless you have a need for a narrow ditch (like I do), I'd probably go with the widest bucket practical. One watch out though, the lighter the mini-excavator, the more engine required to utilize the bucket.

As far as greasing, the synthetic Troco from Kubota, though I'm sure it can be purchased elsewher

sflranchok · Feb 1, 2006

( When I was at the dealer a month or so ago they had said they were changing the teeth design. Mine is a old 2004 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif and you have the latest and greatest. Some people say the John Deere is the best setup some say Cat is. Don't know if any one is better or not just so long as they don't fall off.
Have you had a chance to use your 12" bucket in any mud yet. I am curious as to whether it packs with mud that won't release. That seems to be a complaint some have of the smaller buckets. I could use one at times but am a little reluctant to purchase due to the above reason.
Not to hijack your thread but what grease and how often do you do it? )
I have used the 12 inch bucket exclusively for this project. Just now getting into some mucking dirt. I have had to use a shooter shovel a couple of times to "unplug" it. It really depends on your digging needs, unless you have a need for a narrow ditch (like I do), I'd probably go with the widest bucket practical. One watch out though, the lighter the mini-excavator, the more engine required to utilize the bucket.

As far as greasing, the synthetic Troco from Kubota, though I'm sure it can be purchased elsewhere. Frequency: the lesser of every eight hours or every other day. I am from the old school that you CAN NOT over grease the fittings. Regular grease and fluids/filters maintenance will help insure your investment stays an investment, and not a short term writeoff /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Also, I'd rather spend a few more dollars now than a LOT of dollars later.

nobull1 · Feb 1, 2006

Frequency: the lesser of every eight hours or every other day. I am from the old school that you CAN NOT over grease the fittings. Regular grease and fluids/filters maintenance will help insure your investment stays an investment, and not a short term writeoff . Also, I'd rather spend a few more dollars now than a LOT of dollars later.

I totally agree with what you said.

tommu56 · Feb 1, 2006

what about hard facing them on and old set you woulden't have mutch to loose.

that's what they do to the buckets sides around here

sflranchok · Feb 1, 2006

Hard facing - - that's an idea... but I don't know if after you count the cost of material and time if it would save any money...thanks for the thought!

Egon · Feb 2, 2006

The bucket is not a replacement wear out item. The cutting edge is. The teeth are in the same category as cutting edges.

Egon

plowrup · Feb 2, 2006

The Hensley 23 tooth design has been an Industry mainstay for over 25 years ( the X156 has been around as long, but I believe it to have been a Esco design).

There has been discussion here regarding the 23 twin Tiger tooth-I would highly recommend you run twin Tigers on the outer teeth (whcih lessens the bucket "pinch" and give a little more Hydraulic power) with the single Tigers in the middle.

Regarding tooth prices, I am certian (if you live by a large Metro area) that there is a Company that specializes in tooth and cutting edge Sales there, along with Grader Blades and such (any high wear items). If your Kubota Dealer isn't big in Construction Equipment Sales, he is at a big disadvantage and may have to pay a much higher price than, say, the local Case or Deere Dealer (which by the way will carry the 23 Tooth). The 23 has been a standard tooth on the 580 Series Case and 310 Series Deere Backhoes.

Concerning Filters, I would highly recommend you run exclusively Kubota Filters (I am a JD Dealer by the way)-Wix, Fram and others will sell the same Filter (oil) that fits a gas engine for Diesel applications (which are NOT the same). It will only take one Injection Pump rebuild ( /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif) to realize that there are differences-