I have had a rough day.
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2022 10:40 pm
SO:
I'm working on installing my bucket to the loader. The 48" bucket I bought off of Craigslist was a fortunate find, but it's not the perfect shape.
It has an extra angled protrusion that puts it way out in front of the boom's lower pivot pin. It makes the tractor too long to fit in my shed if I wanted to park it with the loader attached, and the extra leverage reduces the lifting strength at the cutting edge.
I couldn't decide if I was going to modify the bucket or not, so I designed the quick-attach to mate parallel with back of the bucket if I did choose to remove the protrusion. That way I could choose to either modify the bucket or fill the gaps with brackets.
Ultimately I decided to go ahead and modify the bucket, but I intend to leave the ends of the bucket stock and only flatten the center section where it actually contacts the quick-attach adapter plate.
I came up with a clever plan to do it: I cut the steel right at the protruding bend, and mounted the whole bucket in my shop press, pressed the flaps down flat and tack welded them in place.
It worked like a charm. I was very pleased with myself.
Pleased, that is, until I let my phone fall out of my pocket while I was mowing. And the mower found it before I did.
This is a Pixel 4a after an encounter with a mower deck. You'd think that would be the reason I say "rough day", right?
Sadly, no.
It gets worse. It turns out that I didn't actually remove THIS protrusion: It turns out I actually removed THIS ONE.
So now, not only am I not close to finishing my bucket, but I actually have to UNDO everything I did today before I can begin to actually do it right.
I have had a rough day.
That feels much better. I'll stop whining now.
Bob
I'm working on installing my bucket to the loader. The 48" bucket I bought off of Craigslist was a fortunate find, but it's not the perfect shape.
It has an extra angled protrusion that puts it way out in front of the boom's lower pivot pin. It makes the tractor too long to fit in my shed if I wanted to park it with the loader attached, and the extra leverage reduces the lifting strength at the cutting edge.
I couldn't decide if I was going to modify the bucket or not, so I designed the quick-attach to mate parallel with back of the bucket if I did choose to remove the protrusion. That way I could choose to either modify the bucket or fill the gaps with brackets.
Ultimately I decided to go ahead and modify the bucket, but I intend to leave the ends of the bucket stock and only flatten the center section where it actually contacts the quick-attach adapter plate.
I came up with a clever plan to do it: I cut the steel right at the protruding bend, and mounted the whole bucket in my shop press, pressed the flaps down flat and tack welded them in place.
It worked like a charm. I was very pleased with myself.
Pleased, that is, until I let my phone fall out of my pocket while I was mowing. And the mower found it before I did.
This is a Pixel 4a after an encounter with a mower deck. You'd think that would be the reason I say "rough day", right?
Sadly, no.
It gets worse. It turns out that I didn't actually remove THIS protrusion: It turns out I actually removed THIS ONE.
So now, not only am I not close to finishing my bucket, but I actually have to UNDO everything I did today before I can begin to actually do it right.
I have had a rough day.
That feels much better. I'll stop whining now.
Bob