Converting LA304 Bucket to SSQA?

[linux4me]

I have a B2320 with an LA304 loader that I have already converted to SSQA, and I still have the original, pin-on, 48" bucket (A02501).

I would like to buy an SSQA attachment plate and find a welder to cut the old pin-on brackets off and weld on an SSQA attachment plate so I can use the old bucket (it would be great to have a bucket with a tooth bar...), but I'm not sure it's worth doing because of the dimensions of the old bucket.

I found what looks like a good deal on a 5/16" thick, cut-out, ~42 pound SSQA attachment plate that has the standard measurements of 45.43" x 18.07".

However, I took some measurements of the old bucket, and though the flat part of the back plate of the old bucket is wide enough at 47", it is only 11" tall. (See below.)

Judging by the way the SSQA attaches, I would have ~7" of the SSQA attachment plate above the back plate of the old bucket and unsupported. (The level indicator will probably have to go too, but that's no big deal.) I'm not a welder or an engineer, but that looks like it would put a lot of leverage on the SSQA attachment plate right at the top where it clears that measly 11" back plate of the old bucket.

Would the SSQA attachment plate be strong enough without additional brackets added to support the upper part of the attachment plate? Would it solve the problem to add additional brackets at the top of the SSQA attachment plate? Am I wasting money trying to make the old bucket SSQA compatible?

 

[Smokeydog]

My experience may not apply. I did the SSQA conversion. Welded an attachment plate to the old bucket. That bucket never rolled back like my other SSQA purpose made bucket. Could have wedged cut the pin on brackets and weld to them to give more roll back.

Simple braces or gussets could support strengthen the top plate to bucket connections. Maybe be a good place to add handy hooks.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

You just have the welder box in the top if need be.
But it's possible the SSQA plate need to be positioned lower in the back of the bucket.
Compare the SSQA bucket you have now for distance off the floor to the other bucket.

 

[linux4me]

That bucket never rolled back like my other SSQA purpose made bucket.

The angle of the pins on the old bucket look like they're about the same as the SSQA plate on the new bucket, but that's something I hadn't thought of. Does it still roll back enough to hold a load?

Braces, gussets, or boxing it in make sense to me.

Compare the SSQA bucket you have now for distance off the floor to the other bucket.

My SSQA bucket has 2 3/4" between the floor and the bottom of the back plate, which I think is even with the bottom of the SSQA attachment. I will re-check it and compare to the old bucket.

Thanks for the suggestions!

I found a video that shows how braces were made for a pin-on to SSQA bucket conversion (at 5:26). Maybe I'm making it more complicated than it is. There is less back plate on that bucket to weld to than on my own, and the braces they made don't support as much as I thought would be required, but it looks nice and sturdy.