Abstract: A floor and bucket protection device and method of making the device, which includes a steel frame attachable to a bucket on a front end loader, a plurality of steel-reinforced rubber pads laminated on a steel frame between fiber-reinforced end pads, whereby the steel-reinforcing rubber pads include steel strands that strengthen the rubber pads thereby reducing the rate of wear of the pads and preventing tearing and chunking of the pads. The steel-reinforced rubber pads are die-cut from passenger and light-truck recycled steel-belted tires and the individual steel strands are adapted to extend from the pads along the wear surface engaging the ground as the rubber pads wear down and provide a sweeping and cleaning action along the floor.