Combo Bucket

[Team Fountain]

How many of you have used a combo bucket? Is it worth it? I have a friend who is after me to buy a combo bucket. He absolutely swears by it and says it would make my machine much more productive. It's hard not to believe him because he spent the money on one and he is the cheapest - well lets just say he's frugal. ] Opinions?

 

[owensge]

I've been using a combo bucket for a year now and I can't imagine how I ever functioned without it. I use it for dozing, picking up dead brush and trees, placing rocks, etc.
Just recently, we removed a huge tree on my ranch and when it came time to move the limbs from the work area, I sprung a hydraulic leak on my combo bucket. For a whole day I moved limbs and stumps by loading the bucket and it was an arduous task indeed. After replacing an O-ring on my combo bucket, I was back in business and quickly removed the rest of the limbs. It was as simple as opening up the bucket, descending on the pile, and swallowing up a mouthful of limbs!
It's like having a huge hand with teeth.

 

[500K_773]

I've been using a combo bucket for a year now and I can't imagine how I ever functioned without it. I use it for dozing, picking up dead brush and trees, placing rocks, etc.
Just recently, we removed a huge tree on my ranch and when it came time to move the limbs from the work area, I sprung a hydraulic leak on my combo bucket. For a whole day I moved limbs and stumps by loading the bucket and it was an arduous task indeed. After replacing an O-ring on my combo bucket, I was back in business and quickly removed the rest of the limbs. It was as simple as opening up the bucket, descending on the pile, and swallowing up a mouthful of limbs!
It's like having a huge hand with teeth.

I never had looked at the combo bucket before, but I would like an attachment to doze with and something to pick-up loose brush with. Like getting 2 for 1 in an attachment.
I did look at the specs, and it only recommends up to a 68" bucket for my machine. I currently use 74" buckets because I am at least 69" wide with my super float tires and wheel spacers. I wonder if I could use the 74" combo bucket with my machine effectively, it is 400# heavier than my 74" C&I bucket. There is only 70# difference between the 68" and 74" combo buckets and 1 ft^3 capacity, shouldn't be too much of a difference. The weight difference should make too much difference if I am mostly using it to doze with and to pick up brush, which is fairly lightweight.
Owensge, what size bucket are you using with your T200? Your machine has close to the same lift capacity of mine, but you do have 73 HP vs. my 56 HP.

 

[500K_773]

I never had looked at the combo bucket before, but I would like an attachment to doze with and something to pick-up loose brush with. Like getting 2 for 1 in an attachment.
I did look at the specs, and it only recommends up to a 68" bucket for my machine. I currently use 74" buckets because I am at least 69" wide with my super float tires and wheel spacers. I wonder if I could use the 74" combo bucket with my machine effectively, it is 400# heavier than my 74" C&I bucket. There is only 70# difference between the 68" and 74" combo buckets and 1 ft^3 capacity, shouldn't be too much of a difference. The weight difference should make too much difference if I am mostly using it to doze with and to pick up brush, which is fairly lightweight.
Owensge, what size bucket are you using with your T200? Your machine has close to the same lift capacity of mine, but you do have 73 HP vs. my 56 HP.

Oh, forgot to ask....How much does the combo bucket cost?

 

[owensge]

Oh, forgot to ask....How much does the combo bucket cost?

I'm using a 74" bucket which is a bit small, but I bought it brand new for $2850. You could probably get one cheaper where you live.
p.s.
Have you looked at the interesting attachments at: http://www.skidsteersolutions.com ? I.ve looked at the videos of some of them and the tree shear attachment really looks sweet.

 

[Team Fountain]

I'm using a 74" bucket which is a bit small, but I bought it brand new for $2850. You could probably get one cheaper where you live.
p.s.
Have you looked at the interesting attachments at: http://www.skidsteersolutions.com ? I.ve looked at the videos of some of them and the tree shear attachment really looks sweet.

The 84" combo bucket is around $3500. I think I'll order one Monday. I already have a grapple, and know how great they are, but the dozer part will be new to me.

 

[owensge]

The 84" combo bucket is around $3500. I think I'll order one Monday. I already have a grapple, and know how great they are, but the dozer part will be new to me.

I just put up some combo bucket clips in Media / Videos section. They are little washed out from the sun, but are viewable.

 

[500K_773]

I just put up some combo bucket clips in Media / Videos section. They are little washed out from the sun, but are viewable.

I thought you were going to try scoop up your dog in the one video

---

Do you use your combo bucket the majority of the time on you machine? How does it work to scoop (clamshell clamp) up the last bit of loose material when cleaning up a job site? Your pictures in the gallery show teeth on a bucket, did you have teeth on the combo bucket before or was that another bucket?
If the video was shot today, sure looks like you are having some nice weather, I wish spring would arrive here in Alaska.

 

[864wood]

I thought you were going to try scoop up your dog in the one video

Do you use your combo bucket the majority of the time on you machine? How does it work to scoop (clamshell clamp) up the last bit of loose material when cleaning up a job site? Your pictures in the gallery show teeth on a bucket, did you have teeth on the combo bucket before or was that another bucket?
If the video was shot today, sure looks like you are having some nice weather, I wish spring would arrive here in Alaska.

Well just to rub it in; it was @ 70deg, light north wind of 2-3 knts and 55% humidity. Done crying?? Dont worry this is MD and when summer comes it sucks. As I have posted in the track loader forum I never take my machine to a job without it. As far as the clamshell action is concerned, it is a cooordinated excercise of bucket elevation, bucket attitude, forward moition on machine and finally finesse on togle to operate hydrylics to combo. A picture is worth a thousand words but I use this technique to great effect every day I operate the machine and to the dimay of my competion. The hydrylics are very powerful but not sufficent to just honk down on a bite of material; ie dirt. That is where the coordinated excersize comes into play. It definately saves on material cost to clamshell those last two buckets of material

 

[Team Fountain]

Well just to rub it in; it was @ 70deg, light north wind of 2-3 knts and 55% humidity. Done crying?? Dont worry this is MD and when summer comes it sucks. As I have posted in the track loader forum I never take my machine to a job without it. As far as the clamshell action is concerned, it is a cooordinated excercise of bucket elevation, bucket attitude, forward moition on machine and finally finesse on togle to operate hydrylics to combo. A picture is worth a thousand words but I use this technique to great effect every day I operate the machine and to the dimay of my competion. The hydrylics are very powerful but not sufficent to just honk down on a bite of material; ie dirt. That is where the coordinated excersize comes into play. It definately saves on material cost to clamshell those last two buckets of material

Okay. I finally broke down and ordered the 84" combo. If I don't like it I will hold you all personally responsible and you will all be forced to post no less than ten times on www.stickersgalore.com (a scrapbooking forum).

 

[500K_773]

Okay. I finally broke down and ordered the 84" combo. If I don't like it I will hold you all personally responsible and you will all be forced to post no less than ten times on www.stickersgalore.com (a scrapbooking forum).

I bet after 10 posts, we could get at least one person at www.stickergalore.com to buy a combo bucket also

 

[Team Fountain]

I bet after 10 posts, we could get at least one person at www.stickergalore.com to buy a combo bucket also

Damn. ]

 

[Team Fountain]

Well just to rub it in; it was @ 70deg, light north wind of 2-3 knts and 55% humidity. Done crying?? Dont worry this is MD and when summer comes it sucks. As I have posted in the track loader forum I never take my machine to a job without it. As far as the clamshell action is concerned, it is a cooordinated excercise of bucket elevation, bucket attitude, forward moition on machine and finally finesse on togle to operate hydrylics to combo. A picture is worth a thousand words but I use this technique to great effect every day I operate the machine and to the dimay of my competion. The hydrylics are very powerful but not sufficent to just honk down on a bite of material; ie dirt. That is where the coordinated excersize comes into play. It definately saves on material cost to clamshell those last two buckets of material

Hey 864wood, it's always 70 degrees in my cab. Glass, heat, and air conditioning will do that for ya......... ouch!

 

[Team Fountain]

Hey 864wood, it's always 70 degrees in my cab. Glass, heat, and air conditioning will do that for ya......... ouch!

Ok. The combo bucket showed up yesterday. Unfortunately, its not doing me any good. It's been raining here all week and I'm not a duck. The wife is alway calling me a 'worthless duck,' at least that's what I here

, but I'm sure it's not true because I hate getting wet feet. I'll let you know how it goes if it ever stops raining. Last year I think it stopped around September.

 

[500K_773]

Ok. The combo bucket showed up yesterday. Unfortunately, its not doing me any good. It's been raining here all week and I'm not a duck. The wife is alway calling me a 'worthless duck,' at least that's what I here , but I'm sure it's not true because I hate getting wet feet. I'll let you know how it goes if it ever stops raining. Last year I think it stopped around September.

That was quick, ordered on Monday, showed up on Thurday. Hopefully it will be nice this weekend and you can fill us in on the performance. I hope you like it because I don't want to have to post on that other site

 

[Team Fountain]

That was quick, ordered on Monday, showed up on Thurday. Hopefully it will be nice this weekend and you can fill us in on the performance. I hope you like it because I don't want to have to post on that other site

I thought it was pretty quick too. I have a good salesman who gets lucky once in a while. He really goes out of his way to help me. I did order a radio when I bought the machine a couple weeks ago and haven't seen it yet. Can't win them all.

 

[Team Fountain]

I thought it was pretty quick too. I have a good salesman who gets lucky once in a while. He really goes out of his way to help me. I did order a radio when I bought the machine a couple weeks ago and haven't seen it yet. Can't win them all.

Okay. Time for the update. IMHO, a waste of money for me. All it really did for me was make me want the 6 way dozer blade. I already had the grapple, and my finish grade with the regular bucket was pretty damn good. The dozer action is sweet, but would be much sweeter in 6 way. I really haven't noticed any benefit, only the added annoyance of having to close the hydraulics on occasion as they open with use. It doesn't seem to move as much material as my other bucket, and every time you change you have to deal with the hydraulic lines. Not that I'm spoiled, but if this country can build nuclear submarines and space shuttles, someone should be able to figure a way for these hydraulic connections to be automatic with the bob-tach. Anyway, if asked my opinion, I'll have to say don't waste your money.

I will give it one more chance, though. I'm going to get hold of 864-wood and have him stop by for a free personal lesson and refreshments in mass quantity. Maybe there's something I'm missing.

 

[864wood]

Okay. Time for the update. IMHO, a waste of money for me. All it really did for me was make me want the 6 way dozer blade. I already had the grapple, and my finish grade with the regular bucket was pretty damn good. The dozer action is sweet, but would be much sweeter in 6 way. I really haven't noticed any benefit, only the added annoyance of having to close the hydraulics on occasion as they open with use. It doesn't seem to move as much material as my other bucket, and every time you change you have to deal with the hydraulic lines. Not that I'm spoiled, but if this country can build nuclear submarines and space shuttles, someone should be able to figure a way for these hydraulic connections to be automatic with the bob-tach. Anyway, if asked my opinion, I'll have to say don't waste your money.
I will give it one more chance, though. I'm going to get hold of 864-wood and have him stop by for a free personal lesson and refreshments in mass quantity. Maybe there's something I'm missing.

I will go and assist Team Fountain with his conundrum with the combo. He has assured me it won't be too painfull. I did however come up with a new use for combo. I was mucking out a pre dug foundation that had recieved 4 days of rain. The footer needed to be dug but the sides had caved in, there was 6" of slop in the bottom and it was dug wrong. I chased all of the slop out dressed up the sides, but the worst was digging out the embankements that were 6' off backset and elevation from footer height to grade was 9'. Digging staight into embankment is tedious and hard work, and often not successful and mostly time consuming. Elevate bucket in fully open position. Raise bucket to above grade and shave off bite size chuncks. Once again you'd have to see to understand, but it worked great. I cut a shelf back 10'x14'x9' in less than 30 min. Thats cutting and hauling out of hole, in mud. By shaving the dirt and loosening you could be assured of a full bucket every time. The foreman pouring the footers freely said that that was the fastest operation, the neatest job and the most awesome bucket he has ever seen on a bobcat. He does 2-3 foundations every 7 days and said I would get alot-o-work from him.

 

[Team Fountain]

I will go and assist Team Fountain with his conundrum with the combo. He has assured me it won't be too painfull. I did however come up with a new use for combo. I was mucking out a pre dug foundation that had recieved 4 days of rain. The footer needed to be dug but the sides had caved in, there was 6" of slop in the bottom and it was dug wrong. I chased all of the slop out dressed up the sides, but the worst was digging out the embankements that were 6' off backset and elevation from footer height to grade was 9'. Digging staight into embankment is tedious and hard work, and often not successful and mostly time consuming. Elevate bucket in fully open position. Raise bucket to above grade and shave off bite size chuncks. Once again you'd have to see to understand, but it worked great. I cut a shelf back 10'x14'x9' in less than 30 min. Thats cutting and hauling out of hole, in mud. By shaving the dirt and loosening you could be assured of a full bucket every time. The foreman pouring the footers freely said that that was the fastest operation, the neatest job and the most awesome bucket he has ever seen on a bobcat. He does 2-3 foundations every 7 days and said I would get alot-o-work from him.

Bla, bla, bla, bla, bla. Did somebody here something?