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04-16-2010, 09:52 AM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 13
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Bucket loader for Craftsman FS5500
Now that I have had a chance to post a few pictures of my bucket project in the photo album, I figured I'd start a thread regarding DIY bucket loader attachments for lawn tractors.
I didn't really like the looks of the manually operated one from Sears and the Johnny Bucket was a little too expensive for me. So this was my first project using a wire-feed welder and wanted to know what others thought. If you have your own design, I'd like to see how it turned out.
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04-16-2010, 10:44 AM
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#2
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Tractorforum.com Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 181
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It looks nice, nice job. But is the axle on that tractor going to be able to handle that load?
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04-16-2010, 11:06 AM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 255
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Hi Mark,
No question about it, your build looks very impressive!
My thoughts mirror "filman" concerning 3/4" spindles...
Shartel
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04-16-2010, 11:12 AM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 13
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Bucket Loader
I did look into the capacity before I started the project. Craftsman offers a bucket for this tractor and is rated for 200lbs, so I assumed that the front axles should hold that much weight. This bucket will hold 1.5ft3 of material and sand will weigh about 100lbs/ft3. Obviously clippings and bark mulch will weigh less.
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04-16-2010, 11:52 AM
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#5
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ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELS
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Hoodoo Valley, Idaho
Posts: 5,449
Liked 3 Times on 3 Posts
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Awsome job Mark! I'd like to build a rake of sorts for my JD 316 for moving light brush in the woods in places I can't get to with my larger tractor. Very impressed with what you've done.
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04-27-2010, 06:24 PM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 2
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Nice job! don't by any chance have a set of plans you'd care to share do you?
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04-30-2010, 07:14 AM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 13
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Bucket Plans
Well, I started out with a sketch and a basic BOM, but there are no formal plans. If you start a similar project, let me know and I'll try to let you know some of the revisions I'd make base on results so far.
Attached is the sketch and BOM. I purchased the winch from Harbor Freight Tools for $50 and the other supplies from Metal Depot for about $150.
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04-30-2010, 07:29 AM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 9,044
Liked 1 Times on 1 Posts
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EXCELLENT work Mark! I can imagine that is a VERY handy and low impact machine around the house. 
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05-03-2010, 07:37 AM
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#9
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John Deere x500
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pacific, Pacific,Mo.
Posts: 2
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Looks great. I ordered a Johnny Bucket Jr. Not as handy as u are.
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05-03-2010, 08:16 AM
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 13
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Johnny Bucket
I'm very interested to see how the Johnny Bucket works out! I was a little too cheap to buy one, but was inspired by it. Post some pictures once you have it installed.
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07-17-2010, 04:42 PM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 13
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Moving some loam around the yard with the bucket.
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07-17-2010, 06:56 PM
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#12
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Moderator
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lebanon, Tn
Posts: 2,879
Liked 3 Times on 3 Posts
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That is a great job, the only concern/problem i have seen anyone have is with the frame of the tractor. I have seen a few buckle right around the mid point under the foot rest area, you may want to beef it up somehow.
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07-18-2010, 12:09 AM
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#13
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Administrator
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: CenTex
Posts: 1,848
Liked 2 Times on 1 Posts
Likes Given: 4
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You built that having never used a welder before? Impressive if so.
Has the Harbor Freight winch held up without issue?
__________________
Current Project: Kubota B6100
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07-18-2010, 10:29 AM
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 13
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Yeah, the winch has held up quite well, the winch cable has a slight fray starting in one spot that got kinked though. Not bad for $50...
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07-18-2010, 10:34 AM
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#15
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ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELS
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Hoodoo Valley, Idaho
Posts: 5,449
Liked 3 Times on 3 Posts
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Beats a shovel, and added mileage on the back! How's the yellow paint holding up?
__________________
Oh Beautiful for smoggy skies, insecticided grain,
For strip-mined mountain's majesty above the asphalt plain.
America, America, man sheds his waste on thee,
And hides the pines with billboard signs, from sea to oily sea. _______________________________________________ Some say I have a bad attitude...... "Screw them!"
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07-18-2010, 10:36 AM
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#16
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 13
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Thanks, I'll keep an eye on the frame. I did build the bucket to only hold about 150lbs and don't push it too hard when using it. I guess if I have trouble I might try welding up a heavier frame and upgrade the tractor.
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07-18-2010, 10:55 AM
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#17
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ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELS
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Hoodoo Valley, Idaho
Posts: 5,449
Liked 3 Times on 3 Posts
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark P
Thanks, I'll keep an eye on the frame. I did build the bucket to only hold about 150lbs and don't push it too hard when using it. I guess if I have trouble I might try welding up a heavier frame and upgrade the tractor.
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I know how that works.  Keep ramping it up, and lifting heavier things, then ramping it up more. Pretty soon you're using the rider to lift the car up for oil changes! 
__________________
Oh Beautiful for smoggy skies, insecticided grain,
For strip-mined mountain's majesty above the asphalt plain.
America, America, man sheds his waste on thee,
And hides the pines with billboard signs, from sea to oily sea. _______________________________________________ Some say I have a bad attitude...... "Screw them!"
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07-18-2010, 10:57 AM
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#18
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ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELS
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Hoodoo Valley, Idaho
Posts: 5,449
Liked 3 Times on 3 Posts
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stevenp
Looks great. I ordered a Johnny Bucket Jr. Not as handy as u are.
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Nice tractorStevenP! But I don't see any grass clippings or juice anywhere on there yet! Still under warranty?
__________________
Oh Beautiful for smoggy skies, insecticided grain,
For strip-mined mountain's majesty above the asphalt plain.
America, America, man sheds his waste on thee,
And hides the pines with billboard signs, from sea to oily sea. _______________________________________________ Some say I have a bad attitude...... "Screw them!"
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07-19-2010, 05:34 AM
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#19
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 13
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The paint is a little scuffed on the underside of the bucket and a chip here or there inside, but not too bad though. I started by using a couple of coats Rust-Oleum primer in a spray can. Then used a spray gun to apply the yellow, again Rust-Oleum brand. I thinned it with about 25% acetone before applying it. I think the paint applied with the gun is a little more durable than when applied from a spray can.
Last edited by Mark P; 07-19-2010 at 07:58 AM.
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03-10-2011, 09:22 AM
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#20
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Windsor, NY
Posts: 1
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your tractor looks good
I like the looks of your bucket loader it must have took a lot of ingenuity to build. Have you attached an actuator for down pressure? so that it would make it easier to dig with.
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