tumble bug

Phlash in OK · Apr 28, 2016

Anyone use a tumble bug?

vscummins · Apr 28, 2016

I thought a tumble bug was a plow ??

2x4 · Apr 29, 2016

I think its something that carries one round bale of hay.

Dick2 · Apr 29, 2016

We borrowed on once. It didn't work that good, so we took it back the next day. It didn't work any better than the 3-point dirt scoop that came with the 9N.

PJH · Apr 29, 2016

Yes - we have one - it's a tricky machine. I used to pull it behind an A John Deere (we haven't had the A for 35 years). One round you'd trip it and it would cut 'til it ran over the sides. The next round you'd trip it and it would only hop and chatter, maybe picking up a gallon or two of dirt. I've stood and stared at mine, wondering if I could adapt a set of wheels behind it to improve it. It's one of those projects that probably will never get started.

If you've ever used a wheeled scraper, you'll be too spoiled to use a tumblebug, ha.

Your tumblebug looks to be in real good shape!

Farmallb · Apr 29, 2016

I have one, and have used it. It works best in already plowed ground. its not worth a hoot in grass. I welded extra set of dogs on the sight of mine so that, when I had a full load, I could back it up till the barrel looked like a stock tank with the dirt in it. Welded the dogs to catch and hold it in that position, then I could slide it to where I wanted the dirt without the usual of keeping it in a simi digging position and spilling out dirt from both sides as I went bumply along to my destination for dumping the dirt.
Most tumblebugs, have 2 latches. One to roll the drum, one, at the tongue, to slightly raise the blade so that it dosnt continue to dig. The one in the pic is like that.

PJH · Apr 29, 2016

Mine has three sets of dogs on the barrel, plus the tongue trip. One set for cutting, one set for transport, and one set to spread about a 4" layer. Or you can trip it again and it will roll and leave a pile. The tongue trip controls the angle of the cutting edge. There are lots of adjustment holes for the barrel dogs. I've never tried mine on anything but a fixed drawbar tractor.

Years ago, folks used them to build pond levees. And before that, they used a mule and a slip scraper.

Yeah - tumblebugs are worthless in sod.

jacksun65 · Apr 30, 2016

We used to call them a roll over scraper. Dug ponds ditches made driveways with them. we put an extra set of dogs and a cutting blade on ours. still had to run a plow over hard ground to get a good load though. Still have one a little bigger than the one shown.

Jaden · Apr 30, 2016

With a little practice, you can move a surprising amount of dirt.
They will spread better than a dirt scoop. When filling and grading around my shop, I found both to be handy.

Farmallb · Apr 30, 2016

I can tell your an old Okie. U got old Ferds. Where ya at? Im N of Chelsea.

tumble bug

Phlash in OK

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vscummins

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2x4

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Dick2

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PJH

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Farmallb

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PJH

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Jaden

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