Welding up a toothbar

mopardude318 · Jul 27, 2017

mike69440 said:
I'm kind of surprised doing the following is not more popular.
What I found is really durable and not prone to catching material in the bucket is to Buy an extra cutting edge for when you want a flat edge, and weld on ESCO Ultralokｮ Teeth.
They are really premium quality teeth, and a snap to replace.

ESCO Corporation |
Ultralok(R) Tooth System

Theses people will help with sizing and have decent prices.
Bucket Teeth For Excavator, Backhoe, Bulldozer, Skid Steer

Only 11 Plow bolts hold my edge on and I used:
Plow Bolts | Grade 8 Plow Bolts | Grade 8 Plow Bolts - GlobalIndustrial.com

If I want a flat edge it is not hard to change over, however with a 2x2 x1/2" angle with bolt on cutting edge on the back of my bucket, I use that for quick back dragging and grading.

Mike I might try that...Do you remember what part number you went with for those UltraLok teeth? I imagine the base of those teeth slip right over the cutting edge? I'm not a welder, but my brother can certainly do it.

I definitely found out I need a tooth bar! Some swear by that Piranha tooth bar, or the other WR long you recommended, which seems like it may do a better job of all out digging compared to the Piranha...

mike69440 · Jul 31, 2017

TXHF said:
I've got a steel dealer about 4 miles from here so I'll give them a call. For welding, I guess I can MIG but work on each tooth a little at a time to keep the heat down and stack welds after thorough cleaning each. We absolutely need it during the dry season and I'll likely never take them off after they are installed. Thanks!!

You need plenty of heat for deep weld penetration to get a tooth to hold. Weld up bar bolted to bucket. Make sure top weld is still hot when you do the bottom, etc. maybe Preheat, but do not heat the tips.

TXHF · Jul 31, 2017

mike69440 said:
You need plenty of heat for deep weld penetration to get a tooth to hold. Weld up bar bolted to bucket. Make sure top weld is still hot when you do the bottom, etc. maybe Preheat, but do not heat the tips.

Mike, I'm concerned about it enough that I'm going to take it to a pro and get it stick welded. I'm going to take the bucket with me after I tack on the mount points to the main bar then drill and mount the bar to the bucket. I'll help him clamp on the teeth and he can weld them solid. I also picked up three 3/8" weld-on hooks so he can weld those up at the same time. Glad I bought pallet forks now.

Ford850 · Aug 3, 2017

Did you get it welded up?

TXHF · Aug 3, 2017

Not yet... I just picked up the flat stock yesterday. I'll have to bring my FEL bucket back here to mock it up and tack-weld it first. That'll be this weekend I hope.

TXHF · Aug 5, 2017

Ford850 said:
Did you get it welded up?

I went up to the property today and did about 5 hours of work then put the loader bucket in my truck bed and brought it back home. It will be two weeks before I get back to the tractor so this will give me time to mock it up, tack weld it and take it to someone who will get the job done right. I'm going to have to unload it onto my metal saw horses in the garage. There, I can fit the bar, lay out the teeth and tack it up.

I ended up getting the metal at a dealer in North Austin. I actually saw their shop on Velocity watching Jesse James Outlaw Garage. Bob from the show went to this place to get metal. Westwood Metals is great! You order the pieces cut to the specs you want.

I also picked up three weld-on 3/8" hooks. I'll have those done at the same time and will reinforce the top edge of the bucket with angle iron and have those hooks welded to that.

TXHF · Aug 6, 2017

Turns out the MIG handled it very well. My welding isn't spectacular but I'm betting these are not coming off any time in the next decade. I have to clean up, prime and paint it, then attach the teeth.