Implement system with bucket having torsional support, and machine having same

An implement system for a machine comprising:

• a linkage;
• a bucket including mounting elements coupling the bucket to the linkage, and the bucket being movable relative to the linkage between a racked position and a dump position;
• the bucket further including a bucket shell having an upper edge extending laterally between a left side wall and a right side wall, a roof section extending rearward from the upper edge, a lower edge oriented substantially parallel to the upper edge, a floor section extending rearward from the lower edge, and a back section connecting between the roof section and the floor section and having the mounting elements located thereon;
• the bucket further including a torque tube assembly including an elongate stiffener extending laterally between the left side wall and the right side wall, the stiffener including a forward edge attached to the back section of the bucket shell at a first weld joint and a back edge attached to the back section of the bucket shell at a second weld joint, and a cross section forming a C-shape between the forward edge and the back edge;
• wherein the torque tube assembly further includes a forward plate connecting between the elongate stiffener and the roof section of the bucket shell, and a back plate connecting between the elongate stiffener and the back section of the bucket shell.

A machine comprising:

• a frame;
• an implement system coupled to the frame and including a linkage and a bucket coupled to the linkage;
• the bucket including mounting elements coupling the bucket to the linkage, and the bucket being movable relative to the linkage between a racked position and a dump position;
• the bucket further including a bucket shell having an upper edge extending laterally between a left side wall and a right side wall a roof section of extending rearward from the upper edge, a lower edge oriented substantially parallel to the upper edge, a floor section extending rearward from the lower edge, and a back section connecting between the roof section and the floor section and having the mounting elements located thereon;
• the bucket further including a torque tube assembly having an elongate stiffener extending laterally between the left side wall and the right side wall, the stiffener including a forward edge attached to the back section of the bucket shell at a first weld joint and a back edge attached to the back section of the bucket shell at a second weld joint, and a cross section forming a C shape between the forward edge and the back edge;
• wherein the torque tube assembly further includes a forward plate connecting between the elongate stiffener and the roof section of the bucket shell, and a back plate connecting between the elongate stiffener and the back section of the bucket shell.