B2650 bucket wear plates

A while back I added a bolt on cutting edge to my B2650 60" bucket which has really worked out well. Adding the 5/8" cutting edge really made the bucket sit at angle when at rest or taking the loader on or off. I had always planned on welding on some wear plates for the bucket and they would work to level the bucket back out also. I finally got around to doing it. I had some 1/2" steel that was 4 1/2" wide, and long enough I could cut to fit. The bottom of the bucket had about an 1/8" outward bow on the bottom, so I used a chain and a bottle jack to make it flat, and then tack welded the plates on. After welding the plates on, I took my grinder and rounded all of the edges off, especially the back side. The bucket now sits like it should when off, and now has some good wear plates to strengthen and keep the bucket in good shape for a long time.


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85Hokie said:

Nice job! That ought to last a lifetime! I think you will find it to be better at back dragging too, that 1/2" lip does wonders for smoothing out almost anything.

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I am sure you are right that bucket will outlast me!!

RCW said:

Kidd- - nice job and great welds too!

I did some extensions for my snowblower shoes while back - my job was kinda sloppy and the welds crappy. But by gosh, when I put the blower on this fall, they looked like they'd never been used! (The orange paint is still on them in case they fall off, though...I should see them in the snow!)

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Thanks RCW. Started welding about 3 years ago. Getting better at it along the way. Its funny, getting older, somedays I see it real good and other days not so much. As you said, nothing has fell off yet!!!