Which tooth bar for digging?

rdinatal · Mar 12, 2017

I have a 25hp CUT with a straight edge bucket. When I need to dig the clay soil/grass here is a bear to get through. I'm looking at the advantage of a bolt on tooth bar as I still need the straight edge for loose material work. I do have a ripper tooth on the 3pt for the really hard stuff but find the straight edge still needs... More?

A Ratchet Rake is not good for what I need to do.

I see Piranha and other tooth style bars, they are so different! Which one do you have and how does it break up hardpack?

-R

jeff9366 · Mar 12, 2017

Here is an overview:

Google

sdef · Mar 12, 2017

Depends on the type of digging one has in mind. I find digging a multi tool requirement.

I have the Piranha on my 72" bucket and it never comes off. Great addition for relatively shallow digging and scraping in reverse. It will also smooth in reverse depending upon the bucket angle.

Also have a stump bucket for digging deeper: stump bucket | eBay.

Just bought a larger capacity 72" bucket for loading/digging in loose material with its straight edge- clay, gravel, organic top soil, etc. my dump truck guy brings me.

oosik · Mar 12, 2017

I have a 9-tooth Rankin tooth bar bolted on my 72" bucket. Definitely helps getting thru the "sod" layer - down to real dirt.

oldballs · Mar 12, 2017

I'd loosen the soil with some kind of attachment.....e.g. Tiller or Potato type plow...then go at it with the FEL bucket with or without a tooth bar. The Piranha or regular tooth bar would help if there are still some rocks or roots.

bigtiller · Mar 12, 2017

Measure the inside of your bucket, measure down to the eighth of an inch. Then go to Iowa Farm Equipment for a toothbar. They custom make them and have many sizes on the shelf waiting for your order. Mine is 52" with 6 teeth weighs about 50 lbs. It slips over the bucket scraper bar and one big bolt further back on each side. It makes a world of difference in how easy hard ground is penetrated. It is easy to take off or put back on, I have mine on/off several times a year.

$325 and free shipping

Bucket Toothbars

countrybumpkin · Mar 12, 2017

Here is a clamp on from heavy hitch.

Compact Tractor Attachments | Toothbar for John Deere Front End Loader

scdeerslayer · Mar 13, 2017

The Piranha bar is great for cutting into dirt and pulling up or cutting off saplings, and you don't need to take it off to do the things you need the flat edge for. Plus it helps protect the factory edge from wear.

rdinatal · Mar 13, 2017

Lots of good information, thanks. I reevaluated what I was going to do (as in needed to) and the Piranha toothbar came out on top. Placed an order today.

Thanks again for all the info I never found!

-R

N2DFire · Mar 13, 2017

rdinatal said:
I have a 25hp CUT with a straight edge bucket. When I need to dig the clay soil/grass here is a bear to get through. I'm looking at the advantage of a bolt on tooth bar as I still need the straight edge for loose material work. I do have a ripper tooth on the 3pt for the really hard stuff but find the straight edge still needs... More?

A Ratchet Rake is not good for what I need to do.

I see Piranha and other tooth style bars, they are so different! Which one do you have and how does it break up hardpack?

-R

We have similar good ole red clay here too and lots of rocks and I love our piranha bar. It is a definite improvement over the standard bucket edge for digging as well as clearing scrub & vines and (for what I do with it) I have no problems smoothing or back dragging with it. It stays on the bucket all the time.

Edit: Well I started the post before you got back but got called away. - I think you'll be happy with the Piranha.

rdinatal · Mar 13, 2017

N2DFire said:
We have similar good ole red clay here too and lots of rocks and I love our piranha bar. It is a definite improvement over the standard bucket edge for digging as well as clearing scrub & vines and (for what I do with it) I have no problems smoothing or back dragging with it. It stays on the bucket all the time.

Edit: Well I started the post before you got back but got called away. - I think you'll be happy with the Piranha.

Thanks. Like most I work hard for my $ and like to spend it wisely. Very few times have I made an "impulse buy". Those times I have I've regretted it to some extent.

I know this will never be a backhoe. The goal is to use more of the available power to actually dig vs. stopping. The rake/rip effect on brush/roots is also needed. I think this is a happy medium. Plus it is also acts as an edge guard.

Just need to find a 4ft plug type 3pt aerator next...

-R

Fallon · Mar 13, 2017

scdeerslayer said:
The Piranha bar is great for cutting into dirt and pulling up or cutting off saplings, and you don't need to take it off to do the things you need the flat edge for. Plus it helps protect the factory edge from wear.

Same here. Haven't done serious digging with mine yet. But I can do clean back dragging with it (more the heel of the bucket). Can back drag to scratch thingd with the serated edge too. O like the wear protection aspect.

If I ever need to dig o bust out the bucket spade, borrow a 40 year old backhoe from a friend or use the box blade. A loader doesn't dig, it just moves looseish material.

scdeerslayer · Mar 14, 2017

Fallon - you may want to ease up with back dragging with the heel of the bucket, I don't think that is as thick of steel there and it can wear out. I use the PTB with the bucket just slightly pointed down. The ripples caused by the PTB don't cause an issue.

Fallon · Mar 14, 2017

scdeerslayer said:
Fallon - you may want to ease up with back dragging with the heel of the bucket, I don't think that is as thick of steel there and it can wear out. I use the PTB with the bucket just slightly pointed down. The ripples caused by the PTB don't cause an issue.

I'm not that aggressive with it & only do it when I want a really smooth finish. Most of the time I can get good enough with the piranha bar. If it ever wears enough I can weld something on the heel to patch or reinforce it too.

And the bucket is just for light jobs. If I'm doing any serious dirt work the box blade goes on.

Tin Knocker · Mar 15, 2017

piranha tooth bar makes a night and day difference plus you can back drag with it. Also protects your bucket. Really couldnt imagine my tractor without it

PILOON · Mar 15, 2017

scdeerslayer said:
Fallon - you may want to ease up with back dragging with the heel of the bucket, I don't think that is as thick of steel there and it can wear out. I use the PTB with the bucket just slightly pointed down. The ripples caused by the PTB don't cause an issue.

I never remove my tooth bar so I welded a length of angle stock to the heel of my bucket for back grading as I noticed considerable wear was occurring.
Very pleased with performance.
If i want to compact the surface being worked I slightly uo tilt my bucket and raise the wheels so that I have a lot of down pressure, kinda skidding on the bucket. Works great.

rdinatal · Mar 28, 2017

The Piranha bar was delivered yesterday and I had a chance to install it today. Lift the bucket to a comfortable level, put the bar in place, mark, drill and bolt. Done! Can't wait to use it!

This weekend is bark mulch time. 14yds of the stuff. Last time it took me two days. With the loader I expect to be done in 5hrs, if I don't play too much.

-R

rdinatal · Apr 5, 2017

The PTB worked well on the mulch. I could tell a difference but since the mulch was loose the straight edge would have worked. 14yds from dump to sweep up = 6hrs.

I have 3 jobs this weekend lined up (patio dig, gravel spread, topsoil spread). Each is different but similar to jobs performed before with the straight edge. The spreading should show how the PTH back drags. I'm really interested on how the patio dig goes.

-R

aloha · Apr 5, 2017

EZ Toothbar - H & H Sales & Manufacturing Inc. from usa - EZ Standard Tooth Bar Attachment Manufacturer | Hellotrade.com - Having 3/8" steel both above and below the bucket lip makes it near indestructible. I have had one on my tractor for close to 13 years and consider it to be the second best bang-for-the-buck add on (the number one for that honor is a pair of chain hooks welded on the FEL that cost almost nothing).

However, poking around I am not certain if the company is still in business. Good luck.

rdinatal · Apr 8, 2017

The PTB helped on the topsoil spreading. I will say that biting into the pile was a bit easier. I had to keep from filling the bucket too much as it filled faster (e ticket ride when the rear comes up!).

The major advantage was on back scraping. The teeth helped spread much better than a flat edge.

-R