I have a 1 year old BX2360. This was my first winter using it for snow removal and we had ton of snow here in Connecticut. I used my loader on my paved driveway and noticed it scraped the heck out of the bottom of my loader from the friction. It also looks like it sharpened the front edge, so it's definitely wearing down the metal. So my question is this: do any of you use your loader exclusively for snow removal, and will this ruin my loader over time? Should I just buy a blade (front or back) or just keep plowing with my loader? If a replacement bucket costs $800 I guess it's a wash since that's how much front blades go for. Thanks.
Snow Removal Loader Damage
- Thread starter eastonpiper
- Start date
It's not hurting a thing using your loaded like that for removing snow. Just remember to set the joy stick in the "float" posisition and take the pressure off the hyd's. I've used a L275 with a FEL for years moving snow and then landscaping in the summer months and still works great. I think maybe twice in the 30 years we've had the tractor have we replaces the cutting edge on the bucket.
Thanks Eric. I did use the "float" option when plowing. Good to hear you've been doing this for a long time with no major damage, although not sure I have the same kind of loader bucket as my cutting edge is all welded and one piece. I couldn't replace it without replacing the entire bucket. Too bad they don't make just a 6" metal cutting edge that attaches to the front of the loader. That would solve my problems. Thanks for the advice though.
gktilton
New member
Equipment
79 B7100 w/ FEL, Deere 261 Finish Mwr, Woods M4 Bush Hg, Potato Plow, Cultivator
It will take quite a while to where enough on the bucket and cutting edge to need to do anything about it. And when you do need to, take it to a local welding shop and ask them about repairs before you shell out cash for a new bucket. $200 at a welding shop goes a long way.
You can have a 6 foot piece of flat stock welded/bolted on the leading edge of the bucket.
Plow allot of driveway before it needs replacing.
Plow allot of driveway before it needs replacing.
You can buy a weld on replacement cutting edge from Wilson Finly. And as others have mentioned have a welding shop weld it in place for you.
http://www.wilsonfinleyparts.com
http://www.wilsonfinleyparts.com
I've also seen where you set the FEL up off the ground about 1-2 inches to get the bulk of the snow - then go back over it with a back blade to scrape it clean. You're going over the same area twice - but also saving the bucket leading edge. This method is good for when the snow is deep.
Maybe that's the reason why wildfire has added first some steel to his new bucket... 
http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4365
Steel: http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3337&d=1303512258
http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4365
Steel: http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3337&d=1303512258
Wildfire
Active member
Equipment
Kubota L5740 HSTC3 and a Kubota ZG222Z, 2013 BX25D,Custom Toyota fork lift.
Carl you are absolutely correct. That's why I added the steel. You will also notice how I did the holes. I can turn the cutting edge around when one side wears out. It's better to wear out a replaceable edge than have to rebuild the edge of the bucket.Maybe that's the reason why wildfire has added first some steel to his new bucket...
http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4365
Steel: http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3337&d=1303512258
Wildfire, do you "harden" the cutting edge or do you buy better quality stock for this purpose?
I love what you have done with that bucket! I wish I had the setup (and welding skilz) you have!
M.
I love what you have done with that bucket! I wish I had the setup (and welding skilz) you have!
M.
Wildfire
Active member
Equipment
Kubota L5740 HSTC3 and a Kubota ZG222Z, 2013 BX25D,Custom Toyota fork lift.
In this case I just installed regular steel because this bucket won't be used for plowing. It will be used only for moving snow. That being said I will be using hard facing on the meterial when the rods arrive. That will cut the chanch of premature wearing of the plate. I'm sure a local welding shop in your area can do what you'd like to have done and it shouldn't be expensive. I appreciate your kind remarks to my work. Thank you very much.
No worries, credit where credit is due! Welding is a superb skill I wish I was better at, bought a nice little mig last year and hope to practice a little this winter, when I'm not moving snow.
What kind of rods do you normally use for the process?
M.
Welding is a superb skill I wish I was better at, bought a nice little mig last year and hope to practice a little this winter, when I'm not moving snow. What kind of rods do you normally use for the process?
M.
Last edited:
Wildfire
Active member
Equipment
Kubota L5740 HSTC3 and a Kubota ZG222Z, 2013 BX25D,Custom Toyota fork lift.
Sorry. I should have explained it better. When I said rods I meant welding rods but they are called Hard Facing. They are used were there will be wearing of a steel surface. You just run you weld beads where the wear will take place. I've used it many times on excavator buckets and the like.No worries, credit where credit is due!
What kind of rods do you normally use for the process?
M.
I've never had any formal training when it comes to my fabrication, machining or welding but do enjoy it and it's a hugh part of my business. To improve on your welding skills just do what I've done and that's practice. I do arc, mig and tig here amongst other chores. If you
Have any questions that I can help you with just ask.
Thanks, I may just take you up on that!Sorry. I should have explained it better. When I said rods I meant welding rods but they are called Hard Facing. They are used were there will be wearing of a steel surface. You just run you weld beads where the wear will take place. I've used it many times on excavator buckets and the like.
I've never had any formal training when it comes to my fabrication, machining or welding but do enjoy it and it's a hugh part of my business. To improve on your welding skills just do what I've done and that's practice. I do arc, mig and tig here amongst other chores. If you
Have any questions that I can help you with just ask.
I have seen the hard facing on lots of equipment over the years but didn't realize there was a rod that was just for that purpose, I thought maybe you had to mix stainless with chromium carbide or something like that.
I am looking forward to some practice, I am a fairly handy wood worker but always liked the idea of working with metal!
M.
Wildfire
Active member
Equipment
Kubota L5740 HSTC3 and a Kubota ZG222Z, 2013 BX25D,Custom Toyota fork lift.
I'll post a thread on the hard facing when I get at it. Great stuff. You'll do OK. Just make sure you have a good machine to practice with. Some guys go for the inexpensive machine and It will drive them off the deep end trying to get a good looking weld. I also like woodworking very much but the metal working is hands down my favorite. Good luck.Thanks, I may just take you up on that!
I have seen the hard facing on lots of equipment over the years but didn't realize there was a rod that was just for that purpose, I thought maybe you had to mix stainless with chromium carbide or something like that.
I am looking forward to some practice, I am a fairly handy wood worker but always liked the idea of working with metal!
M.
Thanks for all the responses on this. I found out that a replacement bucket would be $400-$500 and a new plow would be twice that. I like using the loader for snow so I guess I'll keep using it and in 15-20 years when it wears down I'll replace the bucket.
Wildfire
Active member
Equipment
Kubota L5740 HSTC3 and a Kubota ZG222Z, 2013 BX25D,Custom Toyota fork lift.
If your seeing wear in the first season you won't get 15-20 years out of that bucket. I'm betting you'll only get 5 years max out of the lip of the bucket.
If it was mine I'd buy a cutting edge and bolt it to the lip of the bucket now. Doing it that way will save the bucket and all you'll have to do in the future (4-6 years)is turn the cutting edge around and use it for another five years before replacing the cutting edge and all you'll have to then is remove the bolts and bolt the new edge on again. It will also add more strength to the bucket as well. Just something to think about.
yeah, I might consider that. Saw one today actually that had just that. It was a strip of metal bolted to the front lip of the loader bucket. Pretty cool. Then like you say I could just unbolt it if needed. Now I just have to find out who can do that sort of thing around here. Thanks again.
Wildfire. when you mount the cutting edge to the bucket I presume you use carriage style bolts (saw the square holes in the shot of the stock) do you install the nuts on the inside of the bucket? Would you be able to take a pic of it for us? I am very interested in this!
Thanks!
M.
Thanks!
M.
Wildfire
Active member
Equipment
Kubota L5740 HSTC3 and a Kubota ZG222Z, 2013 BX25D,Custom Toyota fork lift.
M. I used my ironworker to punch out the square holes in the plate. I then used my Mill/Drill to counter sink the holes so the carriage bolts wouldn't wear out on the bottom of the plate. Then it's bolted to the lip of the bucket with a nut on the inside of the bucket. This is standard practice. as you can see in one of the photo's that's how Kubota does it as well. The pattern of the holes are such that once the edge wears I can unbolt it and flip it over to use the other edge. Now instead of wearing out my buckets edge I just wear out the replaceable edge and it's much easier to unbolt it than it is to replace the lip of the bucket.Sorry about the bad pics. I had to go out in the rain and uncover the snow bucket to show you the pics. hope this helps.
