4 in 1 bucket a good thing?

[moonstruck]

I am beginning to narrrow my tractor search and think I'm most interested in a New Holland TC35D with FEL and rear mounted bush hog mower. A local dealer has suggested a 4 in 1 bucket for the FEL. It sounds great but are there any downsides to a 4 in 1 vs. standard bucket other than cost?

Also any thoughts pro or con on this tractor/set up?

 

[Golfgar4]

The 4n1 will weigh more than a standard bucket. But other than that, I don't know of any other negatives. It is much more versatile. Whenever I get my tractor, I'm planning on getting the 4n1. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[zuiko]

I have one and it's great. It's a whole lot cheaper to get the 4in1 when you buy (at least it was on mine) rather than retrofit for it later.

I use it most for grappling logs. I can grapple a log up to maybe 14-16" in diameter. Anything bigger than that I pull.

My only complaint is I have a really lame third SCV mounted on a fender to control it that I don't care much for. I would consider going with a fancier (and more expensive) setup for that if I had to do it again.

I would have hooks welded onto it at the same time. I've wished I had them many times already. Some day I will get around to putting them on myself.

 

[Casimir]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( are there any downsides to a 4 in 1 vs. standard bucket other than cost? )</font>

It won't hold water if you try to use the bucket to haul water to plants or livestock, or mix and haul cement, or cool drinks for the barbecue /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif (all uses described on TBN for a FEL, by the way /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

Other than that, I can't think of any. I have one and really like it. I sometimes wish I had a quick attach on the loader so I could easily change to a standard bucket or forks or a grapple, but I would not give up the 4-in-1.

 

[gray]

I have one and love it.

The down side is it is a bit more weight so you lose some lift.
It also has a bit lower volume capacity.

I have carried cement in mine on a few occations without leakage. Mine may just have a good fit at the jaw- it is an ATI brand. Water will not work but maybe with a liner of plastic it would.

I use it to grapple logs, stumps, rocks and brush with it. I even edge into some small trees and roll the bucket back, pulling the tree right out of the ground- 2 to 4 inch size.

I have not found the dozer blade all that useful. It does work but a tractor is not a dozer.

It was not too costly buying it with the tractor. My control is just below the loader control and it is not bad.

 

[BigAl]

I had a 4 in 1 on my Kubota and it was a weak .I felt the old bucket was much better . I bent the bottom more than once .This was not some cheap unit . I paid plenty to have the Cat dealer supply and install it .Would I own another one ? Nope ! I was pretty careful on the limits of my machines ability too, but that 4in1 bucket was more bother than it was worth.
I am now designing and building a grapple for my new Kioti TLB DK45 . I am making sure it is built as tough as I can make it . I certinly don't mean to start a feud . This is my 2 cents and you asked .

Big Al

 

[bebster]

I wouldn't be without it! The FEL is on almost all the time, and there isn't a day that goes by it seems without using it. Attached is a picture worth a thousand words.

 

[moonstruck]

It sounds like most people like them and I can understand how they would not hold water. I have never used my other tractor for that anyway so I think it might be what I want.

Thanks for the input.

 

[zuiko]

For carrying water I just use a carryall with a stock tank on it. It works pretty good and holds more than the loader would. That is a winter job only anyway, I use hoses in the summer.

 

[Kent]

See my posts on TBN.

Still great, and use it all the time to scrape, pick up small piles of brush/logs/dirt/gravel, etc. (though I admit a grapple would be better for brush and logs).