4 In 1 bucket Are they as good as they sound

[alchemysa]

What make/model 4-in-1 do you have on your B1550? I always heard that the increased weight of the 4-in-1 setup was too much for a smaller tractor and decreased its total lift capacity significantly.

Creig. My loader came with the tractor when I bought it 'used'. Its probably Australian made but it has no markings and probably comes from a manufacturer that has long since dissappeared. Its a pretty heavily fabricated bucket.

I think the lift capacity problem with 4in1's is way over-rated. I've got a very heavy bucket on a small (300kg) loader but I can still lift a full bucket of dirt. The only time lift capacity is an issue is when i have forks attached to the front of the bucket, but thats common to many tractors with bucket forks. But even if lift capacity is a problem, I think the benefits of the 4in1 still outweigh the disadvantages by a long way.

Of more importance than lift capacity is the issue of rear traction. More weight up front means a lighter rear end - and more wheel spin. (Its a problem on all small tractors anyway). This is most noticable when trying to fill the bucket, or when using the 4 in 1 dozer blade. My backhoe gives me a lot of rear ballast. Without the BH I'd need some other kind of rear weight for sure.

 

[Northland]

Based on my experience with my B7800 I would concur with what alchemysa suggests. My B7800 has more then enough lifting capacity (large rocks and large maple logs/trees) for my needs but the tractor calfs because I don't have a ballast box on the back-I use my carry-all most of the time. I have my rear tires filled with Rim Guard but I really should fill a big garbage can with cement.