tooth bar question

santacruzer · Jul 17, 2008

Hey Guys,

A question about the different tooth bars; there are bars that actually have a "slot" in the bar itself, that slips "over" the lip of the bucket. Also there are the kind that are designed to fit down "in" the little lip on the front of the bucket.

One design, the slip over the lip style, looks like very little dirt can get in between the bucket and the bar and the other style, a Markham for example, could allow soil to get between the blade and the bucket.

I just don't want to put a curve in the bucket but maybe that's not even a concern.

The tractor is a Kubota BX 2350 with a 48" bucket. Any thoughts or advise on this will be greatly appreciated. "So many smaller tree stumps...so little time".

Thanks!!!!! Paul

MotorSeven · Jul 17, 2008

I had a markham on my Ck30 & punished it way more than it was proably designed for with no problems at all. The slot never clogged up because i don't think the fit is all that tight. I have a 72" markham ordered for the new DK40.
Alot of guys here have put the "curve" on their buckets without the protection of a toothbar. Hope this helps.......
RD

santacruzer · Jul 18, 2008

Motor Seven,

Thanks for your reply. Sounds right to get a tooth bar before I do tweek the bucket. I've done a search on tooth bars and Markham is the name that keeps coming up.

Another opinion please...do you think a landscape type bar would be a good all around tool or would it be better to get one with only 5 (or so) teeth. The bucket is only 48".

Thanks again, Paul

Gary Fowler · Jul 18, 2008

Look at the ad on this thread at the top of first page for Yankeewarehouse. They have a very cheap tooth bar for your bucket for $215. It is the kind with a groove to fit over your existing cutting edge. NOT as pretty as the Markham, but I'll wager it is just as strong.

crbr · Jul 19, 2008

Markham is my recommendation.

TonyS · Jul 19, 2008

I have a markham and it's as strong as a tank, probably adds strength the the bucket lip - anf they are nice people to work with!

MotorSeven · Jul 20, 2008

I can't comment on the landscape type since i havent (ab)used one. I knocked out the center tooth rool pin, took off the replaceable tooth, which left the smaller "nub" tooth underneath. Welded a 14' section of heavy duty I-beam to the tooth making a boom to lift my arched steel building arches into place. I put up 26 arches that were 15' tall in the middle lifting them completly off the ground. When i was done i ground off the weld, put the tooth back on & noticed no damage whatsoever to the tooth or bar. I expected some type of twisting damage...heck of a product!
Unless Markhams quality goes down i will never own anything else.

RD

santacruzer · Jul 20, 2008

Thanks a lot all you guys for your feedback. I've been thru the searches and the web sites and it sounds Markham is what I would be happy with.

I called Melissa on Friday but was gone for her return call so I'll call again Monday (tomorrow).

Thanks again, Paul

Willl · Jul 20, 2008

santacruzer said:
One design, the slip over the lip style, looks like very little dirt can get in between the bucket and the bar and the other style, a Markham for example, could allow soil to get between the blade and the bucket.

I too was concerned about that gap on my Markham TB.
Poking around with a steel ruler showed that a 1" X 1/4 bar stock would fill that gap.

So that's what I did. Cut a piece to length and just laid it in there loose while installing the TB.

bill177 · Jul 21, 2008

I have a Markham - it is very well built and the design protects the front edge.

Newdoc · Jul 24, 2008

I don't know whats going on at Markham. I've ordered weeks ago and they won't return my emails or calls to update my status.

santacruzer · Jul 24, 2008

Newdoc,

I ordered a tooth bar from Markham on July 22. It took a couple of days for Melissa to get back to me. I would not be worried if they have your order as they told me it might be about 3 weeks or more to get mine. They are a very small company and it doesn't take much to get a few days behind. Also this is probably their busiest time of the year.

Take heart that you will notified as soon as they get it finished. You're dealing with people that have a great reputation for doing things right.

mentat30 · Jul 24, 2008

Yep, I just ordered one last week, and I was also told it would be three weeks. That's weird about the emails and phone calls, Mellisa got back to me right on my emails and when I called her she answered right away. In fact the chatted with me for over 10 minutes. Either I was lucky or you are unlucky. LOL

Newdoc · Jul 25, 2008

I don't think it has anything to do with luck. Maybe the profit margin on the toothbar is lower than the other stuff so I'm at the bottom of the totem pole. I imagine I will have to cancel my order. I sure hope they don't try to fill my order after I cancel. Then it will have to be disputed. Too bad, you Markham customers seem to enjoy their products.

blagg · Jul 25, 2008

I too ordered about 2 weeks ago and Mellissa stated how buried they were. Be patient, it'll show. She said about 3 weeks and she would call day before it shipped. I have heard nothing but good things about them.

mentat30 · Jul 25, 2008

Newdoc said:
I don't think it has anything to do with luck. Maybe the profit margin on the toothbar is lower than the other stuff so I'm at the bottom of the totem pole. I imagine I will have to cancel my order. I sure hope they don't try to fill my order after I cancel. Then it will have to be disputed. Too bad, you Markham customers seem to enjoy their products.

If you are at the the bottom of the totem pole then we all are. LOL I don't think that's the problem, they are very busy and they are a small shop. My last two Harleys I ordered took over 6 months to get and I thought that was fast. So waiting a three weeks or even a two months for a toothbar is not a big deal. I think you would be better off waiting then buying a toothbar from someone else. Everybody here swears by Markham, best toothbar around. You know the old saying, I can do it fast or I can do it right, I can't do both. LOL

bill177 · Jul 26, 2008

They are well worth the wait.

wedge40 · Jul 26, 2008

I too have a Markham and I was lucky in that I ordered mine in the winter when the demand was low. She took my info and said it will be delivered in two two weeks. Melissa called about 10 days later and said it was on its way. It arrived two weeks to the day. Let say this, it's built like a tank. I think I'd break something on the tractor before I broke this thing.

I'm wondering if Markham is getting swamped because it looks like Millonzi is out of business.

Wedge

Newdoc · Jul 26, 2008

wedge40 said:
I too have a Markham and I was lucky in that I ordered mine in the winter when the demand was low. She took my info and said it will be delivered in two two weeks. Melissa called about 10 days later and said it was on its way. It arrived two weeks to the day. Let say this, it's built like a tank. I think I'd break something on the tractor before I broke this thing.a

I'm wondering if Markham is getting swamped because it looks like Millonzi is out of business.

Wedge

I cannot do business with someone who will not return phone calls or emails on a six week old order. I'm sorry they are swamped, but the beautiful thing about America is that there will be others to take up the slack when someone else fails to deliver. My order was six weeks ago. I had to leave a voice mail for Melissa (again) to cancel my order. I also hope she doesn't try to ship it or I will have to dispute the charge.

I have a local Kubota dealer working on getting me a locally made toothbar for slightly more with a good rep too. A bird in hand is better than two in the bush.

The toothbar suppliers mentioned on this website aren't the only ones around.

I hope those waiting don't go too long. I've got stuff to do now with my FEL, not in two months.

Newdoc · Jul 27, 2008

Well, Melissa finally got a hold of me. I've never doubted their quality or price but you just can't leave customers in the dark. It's hard to have a small business that gets growing pains. Good luck to them on their venture.