What would you do?

[DaveB6200]

One day you wake up to find your FEL Bucket gone!.....no, someone didn't steal it.....but how would you replace it?

I had bought a piece of steel to weld onto my FEL bucket to replace a well worn cutting edge and after removing said bucket and looking at just how beat up bent, tweaked, weak and all around trashed it is from previous owner I can't see trying to repair this bucket. Oh, I could limp it along fix it up and make do but would like to see if I could get something new at a reasonable price.

I have done a little looking but don't see a whole lot of options for an old style pin on bucket. I would like to keep the pin on style as I really don't see myself adding different attachments as I really can't see needing anything other than the bucket and don't want to spend good money in converting to a quick attach system when I can spend that money on a new bucket that will probably need to be shipped to me as well.

Again if I had time I could rebuild this bucket but I just don't have the time. I would like to just weld on new attach points to a new or good used bucket as I can't imagine I will find a bucket that will just pin right on to my 1640FEL.

So, if you had to replace your bucket and didn't have time to build/rebuild one where would you get one from? I have looked on Craigs List and Ebay and have seen some possible buckets but am not aware of any other places that you all might know of. Google search turned up a few ideas but l'm not looking to spend thousands plus shipping costs for a 48" bucket.

Thanks for looking!

 

[Dave_eng]

Bucket of a used variety in various conditions are always available. Look for tractor salvage yards, used heavy equipment dealers even regular Kubota and similar dealers.

It may take some modifications because of the size of your tractor but is certainly do able. Far cheaper than building your own from scratch.

I googled Cromwell, Connecticut used tractor bucket and came up with the following.

http://www.berlon.com/ProductDetails/tabid/99/ProductID/2/compact_tractor_buckets/Default.aspx


Dave M7040

 

[D2Cat]

You say, "Again if I had time I could rebuild this bucket but I just don't have the time."

You've looked for others and find modifications, shipping etc. as an obstacle.

How about having a local welding shop do all the repairs? They can do it just as you request. Get a bid of cost and time required and decide. Probably way less cost then your focus.

 

[Kingcreek]

Buy a new "universal" bucket that comes with the mounts not welded. easy to set up and just weld the mounts to fit your loader.
or... convert to a QA and shop for the bucket, forks, grapple, etc of your choice

 

[Grouse Feathers]

The local Kubota dealer, with three locations, up here always has an assortment of used buckets listed on his web site.

 

[DaveB6200]

Bucket of a used variety in various conditions are always available. Look for tractor salvage yards, used heavy equipment dealers even regular Kubota and similar dealers.

It may take some modifications because of the size of your tractor but is certainly do able. Far cheaper than building your own from scratch.

I googled Cromwell, Connecticut used tractor bucket and came up with the following.

http://www.berlon.com/ProductDetails/tabid/99/ProductID/2/compact_tractor_buckets/Default.aspx


Dave M7040

Thanks Dave eng! The local Berlon dealer is going to try and get a price for me on a CCT-54!

 

[DaveB6200]

You say, "Again if I had time I could rebuild this bucket but I just don't have the time."

You've looked for others and find modifications, shipping etc. as an obstacle.

How about having a local welding shop do all the repairs? They can do it just as you request. Get a bid of cost and time required and decide. Probably way less cost then your focus.

Thanks D2Cat, If I can't find something new I will check into this as another option!

 

[Billdog350]

D2Cat or Kingcreek both have great points and ideas. I'd go one of those routes...either new "generic" or welding shop to repair. Honestly the local welding shop will make it BETTER than new...of course you will likely end up with a little heavier bucket reducing your lift capacity...but you'd never wear out your bucket again!

 

[DaveB6200]

Buy a new "universal" bucket that comes with the mounts not welded. easy to set up and just weld the mounts to fit your loader.
or... convert to a QA and shop for the bucket, forks, grapple, etc of your choice

That is a thought I just need to find a bucket dealer that has something at a reasonable price. Seems like I see new buckets for $500.00+ and one's for $3,000.00

 

[DaveB6200]

The local Kubota dealer, with three locations, up here always has an assortment of used buckets listed on his web site.

Thanks Grouse Feathers but it seems like my local Bota dealer just wants to sell you a new tractor cause "you can't find parts for them old machines anymore" is what he pretty much says.....that's what living here in Connecticut gets ya! I hate to say it like this but in my part of CT it is mostly yuppie farmers around here who have $$ and that is mostly what I think he deals with.

 

[DaveB6200]

D2Cat or Kingcreek both have great points and ideas. I'd go one of those routes...either new "generic" or welding shop to repair. Honestly the local welding shop will make it BETTER than new...of course you will likely end up with a little heavier bucket reducing your lift capacity...but you'd never wear out your bucket again!

Thanks Billdog350! I know I would definitely have an over engineered bucket if I have a local welder build me one for sure!
And like I said I am open to generic bucket manufacturers I just can't seem to find many manufacturers that make a 48" bucket or I am just not entering the right info into the computer for the search.

 

[Grouse Feathers]

Thanks Grouse Feathers but it seems like my local Bota dealer just wants to sell you a new tractor cause "you can't find parts for them old machines anymore" is what he pretty much says.....that's what living here in Connecticut gets ya! I hate to say it like this but in my part of CT it is mostly yuppie farmers around here who have $$ and that is mostly what I think he deals with.

I understand your problem. The local dealer has three locations; two in yuppie areas and one in the jack pine savage knuckle dragger area. I first went to the yuppie dealer and was ready to buy green. Went to the same dealer but the "jack pine savage knuckle dragger" location and found a totally different attitude so I bought orange.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

DaveB6200,
I will caution you on 2 things:
First: Going from a light weight low capacity 48" to a newer heavier and higher capacity 54" could be more than you tractor would like to deal with.
Second: Most of the newer buckets are made to the SSQA standard of a 70 deg. back and trying to adapt them to the old strait back design will leave your rams and mounts completely out of whack.

 

[DaveB6200]

DaveB6200,
I will caution you on 2 things:
First: Going from a light weight low capacity 48" to a newer heavier and higher capacity 54" could be more than you tractor would like to deal with.
Second: Most of the newer buckets are made to the SSQA standard of a 70 deg. back and trying to adapt them to the old strait back design will leave your rams and mounts completely out of whack.

Thanks Wolfman!!! I will keep this info in mind as I proceed. I was also worried about the weight of a larger more well constructed bucket myself.....didn't think about the attachment angles as I figure I would probably have to do some creative welding to make new attach points.

Do you have any idea just how much room do I have to play with as far as the mounting points go?

Example: The mounting points on the original bucket are 8" apart from center of pin to center of pin from the upper and lower mount. Is there much flexibility on these points .....1/2" maybe?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[clay45]

I have the same problem and have located a couple of places that will build me a new pin-on bucket. But if I was adept at fabrication I would probably get something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Att...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00IO8W69S and start shopping new buckets.

 

[Grouse Feathers]

Dave

Here are three buckets at the local dealer that look to be at good prices if the condition is good. You should be able to get some better pictures and descriptions if you call. I deal with the one located in Hillman as he is the most helpful and reasonable.

http://www.ginopsales.com/search-us...ichigan-USA--Kubota-48-quot-BUCKET-[2104949]/

http://www.ginopsales.com/search-used-equipment/Alanson-Michigan-USA--Kubota-BUCKET-[683673]/

http://www.ginopsales.com/search-used-equipment/Hillman-Michigan-USA--Kubota-BUCKET-[1214814]/

Hillman - Jim Thompson 989-742-7500

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I have the same problem and have located a couple of places that will build me a new pin-on bucket. But if I was adept at fabrication I would probably get something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Attach-Conversion-Bobtach-QT-A/dp/B00IO8W69S%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q%26tag%3Dduckduckgo-d-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00IO8W69S and start shopping new buckets.

You don't need to be adept at fabricating, there are several SSQA adapters that will bolt right on.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kubota-Pin-...551?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d32c0467f

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Winter-Sale...843?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item259b4910bb

 

[DaveB6200]

Dave

Here are three buckets at the local dealer that look to be at good prices if the condition is good. You should be able to get some better pictures and descriptions if you call. I deal with the one located in Hillman as he is the most helpful and reasonable.

http://www.ginopsales.com/search-us...ichigan-USA--Kubota-48-quot-BUCKET-[2104949]/

http://www.ginopsales.com/search-used-equipment/Alanson-Michigan-USA--Kubota-BUCKET-[683673]/

http://www.ginopsales.com/search-used-equipment/Hillman-Michigan-USA--Kubota-BUCKET-[1214814]/



Hillman - Jim Thompson 989-742-7500

Thank You!!! I will have to look into these.