Toothbar

[FastPauly]

I bought one via E-bay...Iowa Farm Equipment. I am happy with it so far.

It appears that the "Mini" one you are looking at by Berlon does not have replaceable teeth...is that an issue?

 

[mjncad]

I believe it was 3RRL that came up with the idea to drill the bar hole (in the side of the bucket) to fit at the teeth end of the slot or elongated hole, then if you do not need the toothbar simply loosen the bolts, pull foward, and flip the bar inside the bucket. This is the way I mounted mine, never flipped it other than upon installation to make sure it would work. If you have single hole mount this info is useless, if you have the long slot you have a choice.

I do that with my Markham from time to time. It can make fine pouring of pea gravel and other fine stuff more controlled; but it can also limit how much material you scoop up in one trip too. You should here the noise it makes when the bolts loosen enough for gravity to take over and it swings back down on the bucket's edge.

 

[lakngulf]

I added a Markham toothbar to my FEL soon after I bought the tractor. Makes all the difference when digging, scooping. I had a big load of rip-rap to move to my sea wall and the tooth bar make that an easier job. Agreed it would be nice to have the smooth edge of the bucket every now and then, but the box blade and the bucket heel in float mode work fine for smoothing.

It is a GREAT addition.

 

[Zxyrthe]

I bought mine to help grab roots and brush that would otherwise resist the lip of the bucket. It also works well as a miniature fork of sorts. For example, I have some eight foot wide wooden benches that I can scoop underneath and easily reposition (across the property) with the FEL. And I can still backdrag an area smooth simply by angling the bucket up a bit.

A bolt on each side of the bucket keeps it attached. I removed it last winter and briefly replaced with a length of pvc so I could push some snow. No problems. I think it was around $140. Not sure who makes it though.

 

[varmint]

Years ago, being cheap, I bought some hardened (German-made, surprisingly) combine teeth, some steel bar, and welded up a tooth bar for my 48" bucket. Very useful for those things that toothbars are good for, like ripping up brush, loosening soil, etc. I posted photos back then, maybe someone will find them interesting again? The only thing I'd change is moving the fastening bolts to the ends.

 

[Sideways]

I believe it was 3RRL that came up with the idea to drill the bar hole (in the side of the bucket) to fit at the teeth end of the slot or elongated hole, then if you do not need the toothbar simply loosen the bolts, pull foward, and flip the bar inside the bucket. This is the way I mounted mine, never flipped it other than upon installation to make sure it would work. If you have single hole mount this info is useless, if you have the long slot you have a choice.

Does anyone have pictures of how the holes are supposed to look or the link to the original thread?

 

[ninefinger]

Sideways, go to the Attachments Forum and search "My turn to share attachments". This will show you how to drill the holes. If your toothbar has the long slot hole and you want the ability to tuck it in the bucket remember to drill the holes closer to the teeth.

 

[Jerry/MT]

Years ago, being cheap, I bought some hardened (German-made, surprisingly) combine teeth, some steel bar, and welded up a tooth bar for my 48" bucket. Very useful for those things that toothbars are good for, like ripping up brush, loosening soil, etc. I posted photos back then, maybe someone will find them interesting again? The only thing I'd change is moving the fastening bolts to the ends.

Those look like rock guards from a sickle bar mower!

 

[RoyJackson]

Was wondering if anyone has added a toothbar to their FEL. I did some research and look like I could get one for around $150.

Is it a useful attachment? Easier to dig? Anything you can comment on would be helpful. Thank you.

First thing to consider is the fact that you have a loader on your tractor...not an excavator.
That said, the addition of a toothbar (as well as adequate ballast on the 3PH) wll really improve your tractor's ability to dig in to a pile of dried out, clumpy dirt or mulch. Without the toothbar, you may just set there spinning your tires (as I did before I got my toothbar...but that ballast I mentioned really made it work).

I've had my toothbar just over 10 years now. When I went from a 54" bucket (on my first tractor) to a 61" bucket (on my 2nd tractor), I just modified the toothbar to fit. Still using it on my 3rd tractor (which also has a 61" bucket).

All said, the toothbar is a very handy and relatively inexpensive addition to your loader.