First of... More??
 

I mentioned about a year ago maybe building a few of these that were cub sized. About 2 months ago a guy, very interested in my larger version, wanted one for his JD 425.

So here we are, building my first authentic version of the R-Bucket. I actually have two models drawn up, the one currently in production is a RB-46. It is Super Garden Tractor sized at 46" wide.

I have a request for a garden tractor sized model that will be around 38" wide. Hence the model number would be RB-38.

I am building templates to speed up the process of production, so in the event somebody requests one, it can be done in a reasonable time frame.

ANYWAY, Keith (Nightow1) and I picked up the sheet metal last night and cut out the sides and main bucket. Today we went to a near by welding shop to get material for Keiths 3pt and the R-Bucket. While we were there we had the bucket heal bent. We then tack welded the sides on and started prepping the center pieces.

Keiths daughter has picked up the hydraulic cylinder, hoses, and fittings at surplus center, that stuff should be here on Sunday!

Here is where we are currently! ... Stay Tuned! :beerchug:

Very cool.

Looking good so far, can't wait to see it finished.

looks great so far

Thanks guys, i did some welding on the bucket yesterday. Had a design change that will require different metal than i have in the pile. Have to wait till tuesday.

Looking great.. please keep us posted!:beerchug:

This afternoon turned into a mildly progressive one. Got the frame started on and slots cut in the bucket. A good majority of the time was spent building a jig to uniformly cut out the slots in the bucket for the frame and cylinder. Once finished the jig made quick work of cutting the openings.

Worked on the R Bucket a bit last night. Started to built the frame rails for the bucket. Got all the angles figured out, built a jig to cut them, and recorded all the measurements.

This is one of the two rails required for attaching the bucket to the frame. Hopefully there will be time tonight to make the othr rail, then glue them to the bucket and give it a rang of motion test.

Started out with box tubing and ended up with this...

Welded, cut, drilled, ground... getting closer!

Nice work there Rescue11.

Nice work, what does it weigh?

Thanks guys, it is weighing around 95 lbs at the moment. Im guessing it will weigh around 110 when finished. I think the average super gt 3pt will lift around 500 lbs. Should be able to handle this thing easy.

Essentially I have to put the cutting edge on, the center pieces for the cylinder to mount, add some gussets in a few places and its ready for testing!

Can't wait to see finished product

Very nice! Looks like it will beat using a hand shovel and a wheel barrow. :beerchug:

Did some more tonight while working on a refrigerator in the shop. Had to get a different cylinder because the other one had too much stroke. Built and welded the base brackets on the frame for the butt of the cylinder to mount on. Then drilled a hole in one of the cylinder shields to test range of motion. Im happy, now for the pix...

Looks great Rescue11. We will need some action pics of that too when finished. That will be a nice tool to have on a Cubbie.

I'm impressed! :bigeyes:

Great job.

Nik,

Thanks guys, action pix and video are in order for sure! Trying to work on it this am without luck. Home with the fam at the moment. If i can, I plan to do more tomorrow after church.

Well today was very productive!! Nightow1 and I finished his 3pt hitch today. If you havent checked it out yet, here is the link http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...=31710&page=12

While he finished assembly of his 782, I got quite a ways on the R-Bucket. Getting very close, in fact I would venture to say 4 more hours and its ready for a test run. Want to make sure everything will hold up before it goes to paint.

Im sure it will, the 782 will abuse it..... :bash:

Looks great! :beerchug:

I see by the 3rd pic the bucket pivots on arms that are 1/2"x2" ish? When the bucket is flat is it cradled/supported by the rear framework laterally? I can envision the corner of the bucket catching a rock/curb or turning while scooping and putting side pressure on the cutting edge and tweaking those support arms, making them rub in the channels. It very well may be a non-issue under normal use, just curious.

Bill

Thank you! yes the whole bucket sits on the frame rails. Not saying it wont happen, but the last one i built was a tad bigger. Went on a Fwd 22 hp 3 cylinder diesel sub compact. I honestly bent the 3 point arms on the tractor when i dug in with one side like you described. That was user error, but i was looking for weak points. I have used the other one from tearing out concrete, moving rock, dirt, many feet of snow, old air conditioners, trast, and alot of other things. In four years I have yet to tear it up.

On that note, this smaller version is built from the same material, so it should be the same strenght. Not saying it cant be tore up, but under normal, even abusive circumstances it will hold up... its simply a comon sense thing.

There are still gussets to install and other little things that will give it extra strength. Just need to get a few out there for people to try.

Thanks for the question :beerchug:

If your bending 3pt arms, your frame must be stout! :beerchug:

Video of the R-Bucket in use.
https://youtu.be/QEpY5IQ3b1Y

That's awesome!

What is the most you have been able to pick up without the front end lifting? In the video it looked like the front picked up when you really dug into the pile.

Hi all, as promised we have a video. I did not get one while I played in the dirt with it, but it dug as expected. Here a few more videos of me playing in the rock pile. Keep in mind this bucket is actually 47" wide, built for a Super GT. We are running it on a 782 with out any front weights or turning brakes. The 782 handled the extra load impressively. I am satisfied with the results and am currently waiting to hear back from the powder coat guys.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEpY5IQ3b1Y making a pile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9mWtsNTCTk moving a large amount of material in a short time

Thank you very much!

That is to be expected, our big tractors do that too, its physics. First of all this tractor has zero weight on the front end along with the bucket being bigger than optimal size for the tractor. That was done on purpose. It all depends where the weight is. If all the weight is closer to the cutting edge it won't take as much weight to pull the front end off the ground versus loading more weight in the front of the bucket. The bucket weighs around 120 lbs. I can put APPROXIMATELY 300 IN the bucket and keep the front tires on the ground. If the operator has a slight amount of finesse you wouldn't need much if any weight on the front of anything with the correctly matched bucket.

Looks like it works pretty well. :beerchug:

Looks good and seems to work great, glad my cubs not the only one with loud hydro.

That looks like it works really well! Would it help you dig/push if you turned the ags around?

Bill

normally she digs in just fine, that was very loose rock. there is around 225# of weights on the rear + the bucket and 3pt.

Oh Im sure it would Bill, but unless it was used on a constant basis I doubt it would be worth it, especially keiths tires and weights lol. If you notice in the vid, anytime the tractor spun out, a quick bump on the 3pt lever gave it all the traction in the world. Far as backing up on the pile goes, that is crushed rock which is close to driving on sand as it gets!

Thank you for the good question!

Works like the big ones! Im pleased, now for paint n its gone!

Thanks! I think the video enhanced the whine a little, but it also got a work out!

painted up the bucket for Rescue11 this afternoon. came out nice, for rattle can.:biggrin2:

Hey all, just reminder that its green because its going on a deere. On another note I had to install outlets on the back of his 425. The kit I found on ebay is 175.00 found everything from surplus center for 77.00. It all seemed to fit together pretty well. The next few pictures I post will be of it completed and on the tractor.

Hey all, deliverd the first R-Bucket yesterday. The guys wife decorated it as it was his Christmas present. Snuck it in their garage while he was home. Saw it for the first time today, hos wife said he is extatic. Even went out and graded the driveway this afternoon. Here are a few pix during and pre delivery. I know i know, its green, but so is the money she handed me

Very nice Christmas present!!

I'm Green with envy.:beerchug:

Lol thanks guys!