Join the Tractor Nerd Scavenger Hunt: Help Find a Front Bucket for this International!

Welcome to an exciting episode of "Tractor Nerd Scavenger Hunt!" In today’s video, we dive into a challenging project—finding a front end loader bucket for a rare International 3400A backhoe. Join me as we unravel the mystery behind this classic machine and explore the steps needed to get Russ’s backhoe back in action. If you're a fan of vintage tractors or a DIY enthusiast, this video is for you!

Our viewer, Russ, reached out with a tricky request. He recently scored a deal on an old International 3400A backhoe, but there’s a catch: the front loader bucket is missing! From what we’ve gathered, it looks like Russ might have to resort to purchasing a generic new bucket and adapting it to fit his machine. But is that the best solution? Let's explore the options!

Why does having the right bucket matter? When using the rear backhoe bucket for digging, you rely on the front loader bucket to provide stability. The front bucket’s positioning is key to ensuring it supports the backhoe effectively. If the bucket isn’t the right fit, it won’t lie flat on the ground, which compromises stability and digging efficiency.

I put my skills to the test in an effort to find a solution for Russ. Here’s what I discovered: first I checked with my website suppliers. Unfortunately, none of our factory contacts have a record of ever manufacturing a bucket for the International 3400A. Without the original bucket to take measurements from, it’s almost impossible to ensure the new bucket’s geometry is accurate.

Without accurate bucket dimensions, Russ’s best bet is to either find a used bucket and replicate the necessary measurements or call salvage yards that specialize in International Harvester parts. These salvage yards might have a similar machine and could provide the missing piece to our puzzle.

Can you assist? I’m turning to our amazing community for help. If you or someone you know has an International 3400A backhoe or a similar machine with a compatible bucket, please drop a comment below! Your insights and leads could be the key to solving this problem for Russ.

Here are some DIY tips for bucket creation or replacement. Focus on replicating the pin spacing and the backsheet angle of the brackets. These dimensions are critical for ensuring the bucket functions properly with the backhoe. If you're off one way, the bucket won't curl back enough to haul dirt, if you're off the other way, the bucket won't be flat on the ground when digging with the backhoe. Both the backsheet angle and the distance from the top pin to the bottom pin influence these measurements.

Sometimes, finding obsolete parts for classic machinery can be a real scavenger hunt, but that’s part of the fun! While we didn’t strike gold this time, we’re not giving up. With your help, we might just find the perfect bucket for Russ’s International 3400A.

If you enjoyed this video and want to see more tractor-related adventures, make sure to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for notifications. Don’t forget to check out our website Ask Tractor Mike for new front end loader buckets and other tractor parts. Your support helps us continue bringing you valuable content and solving these exciting challenges!

#TractorNerdScavengerHunt #International3400A #BackhoeBucket #TractorRepair #VintageTractors #DIYTractorRepair #TractorParts #SalvageYardFinds #AskTractorMike

00:00 Introduction and Letter
01:00 We Offer Buckets for Most Machines!
02:41 Why Geometry is Important
07:10 Finding Parts for This Machine
08:18 Is Salvage on Option?

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[mty]

I'd just buy a blank bucket, or better yet a quick attach, and fab some brackets. You could start by just cobbling up some brackets fast and crude and tack them on the bucket. Have them where you can break the tack and change the angle as needed, and once you get it right fab up some proper brackets.
I've done this several times before. If you have basic metalworking tools and a welder it's not that big of deal.

[InjunOutdoors]

Agree with the Crazy D's comment We had an older gentleman almost exactly the same as Crazy D outside Okmulgee Ok who dealt in older farm equipment. He could source almost anything given some time and there was no internet in the 70's and he found strange and unusual equipment. He is long gone from Earth but people like him were very resourceful

[SouthernGround]

It can be done on a level concrete floor. back in the early 80's we bought a JD 644 endloader, it was used from a city street department and didn't have a bucket, we didn't care because we were going to use this machine for a fork truck to off load steel delivery's and move dump and grain boxes around. what I did was make two bars from 1/4x8" plate, bar stock the size of the pin's, tack welded the bottom pins, placed each test bar in the holes, moved the top links up till it look good and tacked the top pins and worked the controls fully. had to move the pins a round a bit until it worked properly. once I got the proper arc it was a matter of building the fork frame box from 1" plate, these where 8' long fork's, super heavy. being smaller you might get away with 3/4 plywood to make a templet. In his case I would mod a skidsteer plate to the loader arms then get what ever wide bucket he chose. Or pin on mounts he just fabricates to fit. Get help from a good fab shop if needed.

[rp]

It funny 😊 I ran that same backhoe in 1979. What I found interesting on driving her 😊 it had the same pedal as modern sub compact tractor today. You pushed the pedal down halfway for (1st) gear, low
Then full for second. There was a shifter for higher gears. The backhoe end was hard to get use to. It had (2) control levers on each side of seat. It was kind of hard to get use to on that job because I keep jumping from a Case 580- C to the International backhoe. Control pattern complete different.

[brandonbentley]

I saw a junk 3400a with extra bucket for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Ortanna, PA

[michaelthomas]

On tractor data it gives spec of 30 deg roll back at ground I would just work off that find where pin location would be at 30 deg roll back it also gives a 45 deg dump angle so if kinda temporary threw together something a person could check the dump angle it doesn’t say I’m sure it at full raised

[harrythehat]

Thanks, just some of the information I needed Mike.

[brentridley]

I have the same backhoe. I am in Denver.

[jakeschisler]

There is a place in Buffalo Missouri where I have seen all kinds of old tractor parts sitting on their property. It's a small place and I don't know the name of the business but what I can see are some old tractor and parts there and maybe they have what he is looking for. I have seen this tractor up in Illinois where I grew up in but that has been awhile ago.

[BillTheTractorMan]

Also, you might want to add Biewers Antique tractor salvage. They come across a ton of stuff and have a huge yard full of stuff, including newer tractors (less common). I have used them a lot.

[ProductiveRecreation]

Didn’t realize you sold replacement buckets. I could use one for a Ford 1700 with 770 loader, as it’s been cracked and welded a few times and is now cracked again (on top of having a bow in the bottom edge). I’m debating if I should suck it up and upgrade to SSQA in the process. I’m a little stuck on the cost for an old machine… but it still runs well, has been upgraded to hydrostatic power steering, and doesn’t have too many hours on the replaced clutch. I just replaced the 3 point lift cylinder seal too. Good tractor overall, and with the upgrades is not lacking much over new machines, except for the two lever style loader valve.

[BillTheTractorMan]

I recently built a Skid Steer Quick Attach for my tractor. I think my process may be valuable for Russ, and he could find more options with a quick attachment.

[richardjohnston]

Hey Mike,
There is a huge salvage auction as well as regular and farm equipment auction in Idabel, Oklahoma. It's called Brinkley Auction he might check there.

[Bergeronwebdesign]

just to let you know i tried to submit a question on your website but the captcha fails, so it doesnt allow users to submit questions. If you have time below is my question.

First, thanks for all the help tips and information you provide in your videos.

My question is, if I have a root ripper on the 3 point of my tractor, should I remove the hydraulic top link and put in the traditional toplink back on when using the root ripper. My concern is that when I do make contact with a decent size root, that torque is transferred to the hydraulic cylinder as the ripper tries to stay in place on the root and the tractor is trying to go forward. It seems to me that putting that extra pressure on the cylinder could cause issues with the hydraulic toplink or the hydraulic system itself.

Am I thinking too much into this or is this a valid concern.

[brucespidle]

Mike, you said Case & IH merged a few years ago. Well this November will be the 40th anniversary of the announcement. Yep, it’s been a while😅

[littlegallagher]

You should be able to take the stroke of your dump cyls and the offset of your bottom pin from your dump cyl pin in full retract and figure out what your off set should be so that at your full extend you can tilt your bucket all the way over and at full retract you can tilt the bucket back to hold a load a ground level. From that it’s a matter of getting your pin height difference so that you have enough of a lever arm to move a load but not so much you loose the ability to tilt the bucket fully. Not sure if that makes sense.

[thomassnyder]

I have a 3600A industrial not sure the bucket is the same

[johnhelbig]

I wonder if there is a IH museum somewhere that would have the 3400A TLB on display. If so, maybe the staff there could help with measurements. I’m not familiar with any but maybe some IH guys would be. My other thought would be Horst (HLA) or Worksaver to see if they had any information on this machine. Remember guys, there’s always a reason you think you are getting a good deal but you really are just receiving the punt from the last owner who was trying to get rid of his problem by kicking it down the road.

[davidjernigan]

Has Russ looked on tractor house, or places that part out unserviceable equipment?

[qcan]

Mike. Did you try looking up the arms on the Case website? I’m thinking the arm (mating part) number may also be used on other, more popular, models that you may already have the measurements for. Update - Looks like the same bucket was used on the 3500 as well.