I agree with the guys---DONT skimp on steel on a loader or backhoe!! They take a beating ---how many commercial hoes and loaders have you seen with welded patches on them when they were broke and repaired? --- I understand the big suffer more abuse than our smaller ones would but the same factor goes! --extra thickness = extra strength.

"A machine you build yourself is a vote for a different way of life. There are things you have to earn with your hands."