New Bucket for Mini

[MSC]

Ok, My Komatsu PC-40 is ready for pins & bushings on the bucket, stick, etc.

I have a 20" bucket on it now, and while it is in ok shape, I think I need a bigger one.
I have a 24" bucket that was on my old Case backhoe and it is still in decent shape.
I think i'm gonna make that fit the mini.
It is not only 4 inches wider but about 10 inches taller and about 8 inches deeper.
This will still allow me to dig a narrow trench, but when I have to move a pile of material, it will go much faster.
And we all know time is money!:D

Anyone ever done this?

Rich

[digger242j]

A loong long time ago, the welding shop that did our work had a 24" bucket from a Ford backhoe that he'd repaired, and that the customer had never paid for. He offered it to us, but we had a Case 580. Since it was already at the shop, he changed the ears to make fit the Case. The spacing between them was different, and the pin diameters were also different. Since the bucket was a bargain to begin with, it was still an ok deal even with the extra work.

I guess you could do the same thing with your Case bucket, but it's likely to take some doing.

You'd also better check to be sure that the machine will handle that much larger of a bucket, weight-wise. Also, the geometry will be different, so it may not have enough breakout force to make it worthwhile.

[jhill]

I bought a smaller bucket for my Mini Ex and had bushings made to downsize the pin holes and get the proper spacing. The bushings were tack welded in place. Works OK.

[digger242j]

I'm not sure of what's on the Komatsu, but Case buckets have two different sizes of pins. The main pin is larger in diameter than the back pin. The back pin is also shorter, because the ears are closer together back there.

[MSC]

Fortunately, I have a friend who owns a machine shop, I dropped off the bucket and left him the 12 inch bucket so he can make the plates with the bushings.
As far as geometry, breakout force, and weight wise i'll be ok.

I also have a 40" bucket for it, so the 24" will be ok.

[atgreene]

My Takeuchi 135 handles the 2 24" buckets fine, and even the 36" hydro tilt is a good match. You may want to keep the smaller one around, I wish I had a 18" for water and power lines. Makes it a lot quicker.

[peterbilt359]

Speaking of buckets, does anyone know where I can get a clean up bucket for a hitachi ue50. I would like to find a used one and a thumb too. Thanks

[Countryboy]

Welcome to HEF peterbilt359! :drinkup

[mhitsman]

i have a freind that said he'll build one for my takeuchi he does out of state work might want to call him for a good cheaper bucket

Steve Bunos
Northern Tier Fabracation
570-835-5569

he is very good has rollers and plasma bed cutter to cut out parts for ya give him a call Mark

[upnover]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum so I have to make a few posts before starting a thread. Here is my question?

How important is it to have a quick coupler on a hoe? It seems that changing buckets would be a pain in the #%@$%$ every time you wanted to flip over. If you add a wedge coupler then do you need to replace all the buckets as well? I imagine this would be quite costly.

Also how are most hydraulic thumbs operated? Is it via a finger control on the one stick or via a foot control and which is better? Can you convert to stick control on a Komatsu PC 35MR-2 ?

[CascadeScaper]

Having a coupler on an excavator is fairly essential, I think. Minis are already thrown into a lot of specialized and varied tasks, it's nice to have a bucket that works well for what you're doing. No sense digging 20"+ wide trench for a small utility line.

As for thumbs, you can set them to run off a floor treadle or you can have it routed up to the joystick. It's a bit expensive to have the joystick version installed, but it's worth it IMO. If you're running a thumb alot, like clearing brush all day or setting stone, having the control on the joystick is irreplaceable. I prefer floor mounted treadles for running a hoepack all day, holding your finger down on that button for practically 8 hours becomes tiresome after a short while, but the joystick button is defiantely much better in every other application.

If you don't want to replace buckets, get a pin grabbler coupler and not a wedgelock. You'll lose a little bit of breakout, but the cost of replacing all your buckets could get expensive quickly.

[humboldt deere]

I put electric auxiliary hydraulics on my kubota kx-91 years ago for a thumb. I think the valve was around $120 through northern hydraulics, and the installation went pretty smooth, I would say it was definitely worth it.

[andymil]

Does anyone have any ideas about where I can get the dimensions for the bucket ears for a Takeuchi TB108. I'm building a new bucket and the holes on the old bucket are worn pretty badly. Once I get the new bucket finished I'll replace the ears on the old bucket.

I also found a source for low priced flush/flat faced couplers if anyone is interested. couplers.com

Thanks,

Andy

[Jam]

Hello guys i suppose every cloud has a silver linning..... :) There has been such a construction turn down here in Ireland that i bought this new 30" bucket for my kx71 the other day for €300

[Jam]

Hows it going again... after Christmas we did a few jobs to her. First of all we pulled the cab nd bonnet off, then changed the bosch hydraulic pump nd reset a few of the relief valve settings. Changed one of the supply pipes as well which was weeping. Next we put two new tracks and top rollers on. Last of all a nice change of colour nd few coats of paint to smarten up the cab. All ready to roll now with the new bucket all we need is a bit of digging:D

[upnover]

Hey Jam,

The paint job looks good but where's your respirator? Dont be breathing those paint fumes if you want to see your grandkids!
Sorry just a safety guy giving you the gears!

[Jam]

Thats my brother standing in for the photo.....paint was nearly dry and all at that stage:D

[strott]

Any obvious effects of changing the pump and the relief valve settings?

Cab looks good.

[Jam]

Biggest difference the pump made was gave the machine noticable more flow to the breaker circuit. The only relief valves that needed a twick were the bucket and dipper. Made a small difference put every little helps :D

[strott]

So is the new pump bigger than the original?

The auxilary flow rates are quite low on the kubotas so sounds like you got a good result there.

[Jam]

Its was a slightly larger bosch pump that we sourced from our local hydraulic company. Didnt price it from Kubota to be honest but i think we gave nearly €800+vat for it. Think it was well worth spending the few pound on her wearing parts because they seem to be an indestructable little digger

[strott]

Hey if the engine can run the pump without showing signs of straining e.t.c when digging then it shouldn't cause any additional wear and tear hence allowing the machine to go on and on!!