Cutting edge bolts

Are there any other options for cutting edge fasteners? Bolt on cutting edges that I've seen always have the bolts and nuts sticking up into the bucket which is fine for many uses, but when trying to scoop up rocks or any material with chunks, they often get stuck on the bolts/nuts. It seems like there must be a low profile option, or some other way to fasten the cutting edge to the bucket (other than welding) that doesn't have no much "stick-out" into the bucket. Any ideas?

Great opportunity for new innovation. Tapered lug nut with slots for a spanner on the outside in a tapered hole. Could hold that and turn a plow bolt with allen head in to it.

Welded adaptors is the other option. You could grind the bolts flush with the nuts.

We use these Cat bolts…

Yes full bolt heads will catch material… Maybe try these…

Search for “Plow bolts”. However they will only work if whatever you want to attach has the square for the plow bolt head stamped into it.

I've had weld on cutting edges. I certainly prefer them on a loader to use. I don't think too big a job to freshen them up. The corners wear first. I cut a short notch & weld in new. When I do a whole full width of grouser stock, I cut it in three or five pieces, weld it in. After the bucket cools, I can fill the gap. When I have installed a single full width it'll break as it cools. I've done them several times, used to use Messer 80TAC+. It is a sweet rod to work with! It isn't low hydrogen, but I beat them pretty hard on rocks, never had a break in weld. 7018 would be a good choice. I'd probably try spray MIG, or dual shield next time. Main Oxy says the guy in West Haven rebuilds buckets for a slate quarry, & OMYA goes through a couple 43 LB reels of dual shield a week.

Have you considered cutting the nuts off & welding the nut end of the bolt to the hole top side? I have had a problem with bolts loosening up, damage the hole in the bucket. I weld the nut to the bolt shank to keep them from loosening. Torch them off when I turn a cutting edge.

What also might work is a plow bolt from the top side down and the bottom side welded to the adaptor.

BC Placer gold said: Yes full bolt heads will catch material… Maybe try these… Click to expand... Nige said: Search for “Plow bolts”. However they will only work if whatever you want to attach has the square for the plow bolt head stamped into it. Click to expand... It's not the head side that is the problem, since those are usually recessed in the replaceable wear edge. It's the "nut end" that protrudes into the bucket that's the problem. Willie B said: Have you considered cutting the nuts off & welding the nut end of the bolt to the hole top side? I have had a problem with bolts loosening up, damage the hole in the bucket. I weld the nut to the bolt shank to keep them from loosening. Torch them off when I turn a cutting edge. Click to expand... I hadn't considered that because I'm trying to avoid welding to the bucket if possible. But that's a good option because it reduces the amount of welding exposure to the bucket.

We took a Cat 36" tooth bucket for our 305's then welded an old 279 cutting edge on the last two teeth. If we need a toothed bucket just knock the two teeth out. No welding on the bucket just the 2 teeth. FWIW it was cheaper to buy a 36" toothed bucket than smooth lip ditch cleaning bucket and the toothed bucket is larger for faster cycle times when we have to load a truck with a mini.

These things are almost big enough to hang my coat on... They are equally as effective at preventing scooping up rocks and dumping them out:

materthegreater said: These things are almost big enough to hang my coat on... View attachment 342510 They are equally as effective at preventing scooping up rocks and dumping them out: View attachment 342511 Click to expand... This was a big issue for us as well…when feeding our double screen deck washplant. It is critical to have a very even feed rate of the gravels…we really should have a dedicated feeder but not in budget…therefore good gold recovery is dependent on operators ability to deliver an even & consistent feed. Wet material with boulders (up to 1’) in particular tend to hang up. Our solution has been to weld Swedish half arrow onto cutting edge. No bolts/nuts protruding. Very good life if using authentic Swedish steel!

Cut them off flush and run a donut weld around the bolts. Would need a couple clamps and a piece if flat bar to hold the bolts up and clamp the edge tight to the bucket.

CM1995 said: We took a Cat 36" tooth bucket for our 305's then welded an old 279 cutting edge on the last two teeth. If we need a toothed bucket just knock the two teeth out. No welding on the bucket just the 2 teeth. FWIW it was cheaper to buy a 36" toothed bucket than smooth lip ditch cleaning bucket and the toothed bucket is larger for faster cycle times when we have to load a truck with a mini. Click to expand... I have a similar cleanup edge for our 50d. Welded onto outer two teeth. The machine came with this ‘cleanup’ edge on the 18” dig bucket. Maybe they used it for utility trenches?

BC Placer gold said: I have a similar cleanup edge for our 50d. Welded onto outer two teeth. The machine came with this ‘cleanup’ edge on the 18” dig bucket. Maybe they used it for utility trenches? Click to expand... Probably footings. The smooth edge leaves a clean floor for rebar chairs. Most commercial specs call for no loose debris in the footing trench so a smooth lip cuts down on the shovel work.

Just found this thread coming here looking for similar advice. No one has mentioned just how durable are typical CAT buckets if you take the bolt on edge off? Is the basic bucket the same as the BOCE unit but with an edge bolted on? Or other differences in metalurgy? When I was first shopping for a backhoe used decades ago, every ad mentioned whether the cutting edge had been turned or not. Now in real life for general farm work that isn't on pavement or concrete not sure the value in a BOCE is there for me.

I think good buckets will be made so they could have teeth adapters or a bolt on edge. Clean up buckets are probably similar to std. buckets but for work in rock, frost and difficult conditions they make heavy duty extreme buckets. The bolt on edge adds some strength but is primarily so it's easy to replace/flip when it gets worn out. Replacing the welded on bucket lip can be a big job for some.

I prefer weld on cutting edges. I've had this machine over four years, haven't yet worn out an edge with hard use. I figure a fresh edge with grouser stock is not a big job. The bolts are always in the way. No big thing scooping gravel, but rocks are a problem.

I also use weld on edges (half arrow). When I am feeding the wash plant a smooth, consistent feed rate is critical & bolts/nuts will interfere with feed when a small boulder gets hung up...