Too short tooth bar

[AlanB]

I know there are a million posts on tooth bars, but I have a slightly different question I believe.

I need a 60" tooth bar for my bobcat and Tractor.

I found a 57" one at the local dealer I can get cheap.

I could cut and weld in the segment to extend it too the 60" length if needed, but I was wondering if it would even matter? I was thinking that I could just put in some longer bolts and some form of spacer on each side.

How critical is it that the tooth is against the edge of the bucket? Would it matter if it was set in 2" or so from the edge?

My thinking is that the side bolts on the tooth bars act more as locating devices then actually holding the stress of the toothbar, would you say that is a true statement? That is why I do not believe that it would be a big deal to run longer bolts and spacers.

Anyway, thoughts and input appreciated.

 

[thatguy]

I believe you would need to make the bar wider so you can mount it on the bucket. The bar bolts to the end, so unless you use a shim the shorter bar would not be long enough to bolt..

good luck

 

[BigDogues]

Just how cheap is "cheap"? Have you ever priced one to fit correctly from Markham Welding or anyone else. If your only saving a few bucks it may not be worth the time and aggravation of getting something you have to mess around with to wind up with something you are not totally happy within the end.
My 2 cents.

 

[Bird]

Personally, I'd put a spacer on either side and use that 57" toothbar.

 

[Compact1]

My vote goes for buying the "cheap" toothbar.

I had the same problem. The inside of my bucket measured 53 3/4" and the outside measurement of the toothbar mounting brackets was 52 1/4". I simply made spacers to fit on each end of the brackets (inside the bucket) and used longer bolts. It worked great and has never given me problems.

Send a picture after you've finished your project.

 

[MadReferee]

Go with the shorter bar and use spacers if the price difference between the 57" and 60" is significant. You will need 2 spacers probably just shy of 1.5" each. That is no big deal.

 

[beenthere]

And please show a picture when finished mounting it, and tell us how it worked out. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[rvtech]

I think there is very little stress on the side bolts. My toothbar fits snuggly on the bucket edge and that is where the stress is. I wouldn't worry at all about using spacers and longer bolts. The bolts included with my toothbar are just standard grade 5.

 

[ronjhall]

Usually a 60" bucket is the outside dimension. Your bucket will measure less than 60 inside. The cheap 57" should work well with some thick washers or metal spacers on each side. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[SimS]

Alan;
Do you have a welder? You could just cut it in the middle and add a section to "space" it perfectly. Or as others have said, just get one from Markham.

SimS

 

[RoyJackson]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Alan;
Do you have a welder? You could just cut it in the middle and add a section to "space" it perfectly. Or as others have said, just get one from Markham.
SimS )</font>

That's what I did when I went from a 54" bucket to a 61" bucket. Actually fits the 61" bucket better then the 54" bucket it was originally made for.
However...in this case, I'd do what Bird suggests...just use a couple of spacers. To me, it isn't worth all the hassles for 3".
Once those spacers are fitted, I'd even consider welding them in place.

 

[EdKing]

The side bolts are just for keeping the toothbar on the bucket. I have been using mine with about an inch of spacers on either side for years now without any problem.

 

[Nasty135]

If you have a oxygen-acetelyne setup you could just heat the attachment bars and make two slight bends one to get the bars close to the bucket the next bend to get them to sit flat against the side of the bucket.
Then drill your holes once its all lined up /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[keeney]

One slight issue to consider is that the bucket may not empty as cleanly.