Thanks Chris. I don't know why there would be a space either. Some around here have told me that things might move a little with weight in the bucket but I don't see how. 
I agree with the slots. I can't add a spacer unless I make slots out of the holes in the mounts. I'm leary of doing that because I don't have a lot of steel behind the slots. I'll take another look. Maybe I can figure out a way to do it. Thanks for your help.