LX565 bucket width

[Straydog]

I'm very slowly making progress on rebuilding the lx565 but I have a couple of questions regarding the width of the bucket. Firstly, the wheels on the machine aren't original and are 12x16.5. They also seem to sit quite a way out from the body making the total width 1840 mm. I'm guessing this is wider than normal for this machine? Now the bucket that I have also is not original, and is going to need to be modified to get it to fit the quick attach but the bucket width is only 1670 mm. So my next question is how important is it that the bucket is at least as wide as the wheels if I want to use the machine partly for smoothing dirt? Since I have to modify the bucket to get it to fit anyway, I'm wondering whether to widen it at the same time but it will be a big job and don't particularly fancy doing it if I don't need to.

 

[jerry]

Have you taken a wheel off to see if wheel spacers have been installed? If you are unsure what they would look like look them up on e-bay. Roughly figuring there is only about 3 1/4 inches difference per side if you have spacers that can be removed it might be good enough. It depends on your situation whether you madify the bucket or not,

 

[SkidRoe]

This is just my personal preference, but I prefer my bucket to be at least the same width as the machine, or slightly wider. That way, if you need to work along side of a wall or curb, you can get the bucket in tight before the tires hit.

 

[Straydog]

This is just my personal preference, but I prefer my bucket to be at least the same width as the machine, or slightly wider. That way, if you need to work along side of a wall or curb, you can get the bucket in tight before the tires hit.

There aren't any spacers fitted. The current rims have a fairly large offset so if I try turning them around they won't fit. I also have a set of sold airboss tyres but the rubber segments are pretty much had it. There aren't any distributors for that brand in Australia but have been advised the segments are about $35 each so it would be too expensive to replace them. I'm wondering about cutting the centers out of these rims and welding them into some old 4x4 16" rims. That way I could get the wheelbase width back to standard and also be easily able to source second hand tyres. What are your thoughts on this idea?

 

[SkidRoe]

There aren't any spacers fitted. The current rims have a fairly large offset so if I try turning them around they won't fit. I also have a set of sold airboss tyres but the rubber segments are pretty much had it. There aren't any distributors for that brand in Australia but have been advised the segments are about $35 each so it would be too expensive to replace them. I'm wondering about cutting the centers out of these rims and welding them into some old 4x4 16" rims. That way I could get the wheelbase width back to standard and also be easily able to source second hand tyres. What are your thoughts on this idea?

I saw your same question in the Home Made Section and posted an answer there.