What does a 53" bucket cost?

[BlackRaptor]

Hey guys need to do some dirt digging this spring and the 73" bucket i have is too wide going to get another bucket and add a tooth bar.
What should i exspsect to pay for a 53" bucket?
or is there an offbrand non JD that i should look into to save some money?
Thanks!

 

[danedgington]

I found one from a 400cx on craigslist, still new and banded on the skid for $200. You can find skid steer buckets with teeth relatively cheep, so you could also consider getting the JD to Skid Steer adapter plate if you think you might want to rent other SS attachments in the future. If you buy it new from the dealer I would expect about $600 from the dealler and another $300 or so for either an aftermarket toothbar or weld on teeth. I think the smallest deere toothbar is for the 61"

 

[Agent Blue]

I agree. John Deere doesn't have any secret metal when it comes to buckets. I bought a piece of 10 guage steel and had it cut. Welded it together and added a half inch thick cutting edge. metal and trimming, 75.00 / cutting edge, $5.00 a foot... X 4.5 equals another 25 dollars with tax. Skipped the toothbar for the 53" bucket. I have one on the 55hp NH. I would pay no more than two hundred providing it was made with 10 guage metal. Even if you hired a welder it would be cheaper than buying one off the lot. Building attachments to me is very therapeutic. Besides you get your design, not what others want you to have. Good luck with your search no matter which road you take.

 

[BlackRaptor]

Thanks guys i'll have to see. 61" is too big if thats all JD offers for tooth bars for.
I asked my dealer to also watch for a well used 54" bucket off a 2305 or 2320. otherwise building or a skid-steer one might works. I was going to get a box blade but i think a digging bucket will serve me better. I also picked up a 3pt post hole digger and a 12" and 9" augers. pretty excited to start popping holes in the ground have a deck, garage and 290 trees to plant. should get lots of use out of it. haha