Loader Tooth bar for BX1860

[davehb]

I just bought a BX1860 and I think I need a tooth bar. This would be for general landscaping around my home including leveling ground, spreading compost and top soil. My questions are:

1. Is a tooth bar even appropriate for a BX1860? Is the loader too weak to dig into relatively hard ground? I don't mean digging a hole, just leveling. Is that work best done with a more powerful BX tractor?

2. Which tooth bar would be best? I am thinking that the EZ Landscaper would be best but would it be better to have fewer teeth for digging and leveling ground?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Dave

 

[KU Gator]

I have no experience with a tooth bar on a FEL. But my thought would be if you have a little mound here or there that you want to knock down and spread out, the FEL is ok for that. But if you are going to do much smoothing and leveling, I would suggest an appropiately sized for your tractor box blade to be the best tool. They have scarficers to loosen the earth and then by adjust the top link, it will dig in more or mostly just smooth if you lengthen the top link. I think there is a thread going on the attachment area called something like "I love my box blade"

 

[BotaBX24er]

Agreed that box blade would be better for leveling. Toothbars are usually good for helping break into hardened dirt. Unless you get the WR Long flat toothbar, it's hard to back scrap it flatly.

This being said, I managed to move 30+ tandem loads of dirt with my simple BX24 FEL. I never did get the toothbar I wanted but you've just renewed my interest .

 

[jimmer2880]

I would say that the smaller the tractor, the greater need for a tooth bar. I had one on my 23hp MF. It really made a difference on that one. Some day, I'm going to get one for my 1830.

 

[Tractor Factor]

Don't have an 1860 (though I've got one coming), but on my BX25 the toothbar (5 tooth Markham) was a huge improvement as far as digging goes. Night and day. I have no doubt it would be the same for a BX1860. The toothbar has also been handy a number of times to get under big rocks and stumps (don't own forks), which I then chain to the bucket to lift and move them. But digging is the main purpose.

I would say the kind of digging you need to do will dictate which tool would be of more value. A box blade wouldn't have done me much good on my first few big digging projects: Very tight areas, lots of back and forth, 3 point turns...a lot like digging a shallow foundation out of a hillside.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/133631-heres-what-you-can-do.html

For something like cutting a road, or leveling in a more open area where you can hook it up and go, I think the BB might be the better tool.

 

[oldnslo]

On my BX1850 the tooth bar is a must if you are going to be trying to move any hard packed dirt. I used my to core out an area that is 12' X 24' the ground was Sod dug down 8 - 10" with very little problem.

Moving soft dirt or mulch the tooth bar is not required.

NOTE The tooth bar dpes extend the bucket a few inches so it makes the curl and lift functions seem weaker thah they really are.

I would consider the WR Long flat tooth bar if you planning on leveling. I was to cheap to buy one and somewhat regret that decision now.

To do any serious digging or lifting you will also need some weight on the back. With out the weight the rear gets kind of light with a full load on the FEL.

Roy

 

[Tractor Factor]

NOTE The tooth bar dpes extend the bucket a few inches so it makes the curl and lift functions seem weaker thah they really are.

Also, my toothbar must add 40-50# to the bucket weight, so you may be reducing the total capacity your FEL can lift by that amount.

 

[Denwa]

On my BX1850 the tooth bar is a must if you are going to be trying to move any hard packed dirt..........

I would consider the WR Long flat tooth bar if you planning on leveling. I was to cheap to buy one and somewhat regret that decision now. ......
Roy

Being curious as to what zactly the the fabled WR Long Flat tool bar was I looked it up. Here's the link if ur so minded:

Tooth Bars TB, STB, and ITB

This item or something similar is on my shopping list.

Dennis

 

[fish6942]

I use a Markham toothbar on my BX2350 but only when digging hard soil. As soon as the project goes into "move material and smooth" mode then it comes off. I am constantly backdragging with the bucket tipped forward when smoothing.