Frontier 4 in 1 FEL Bucket

[KarlJD3520]

Hi All!

I have a JD 3520 (cab) with the 300CX FEL and I occasionally need to pull some broken off fence posts, a few stumps here and there and move small amounts of debris. Additionally I more often move materials in a bucket like manure, top soil, gravel etc.

I am contemplating getting this bucket for Spring as I have occasional need to clamp things and pull and this looks like a Swiss Army Knife that might fit my needs pretty well without having to switch out buckets. I haven't seen one or used one in person and was wondering if anyone has any experience with this bucket. If so, please share your thoughts, likes, dislikes, etc.

Thanks in advance!
Karl

 

[kennyd]

No personal experience, but if you search the term "4n1" I think you will find lots of posts about them.

Also remember to factor in the extra hydraulics into the budget

 

[jcmseven]

Karl,

I have had one. I had it on my 4520. I now have a 3720 with a standard bucket. The 4n1's are nice. There are a couple things to keep in mind, though. First, they are heavy buckets, and will cut substantially into your lift capacity, even with the 300cx loader. With a 400x, like on my previous 4520, it was not that big a deal. Just make sure you are not planning to lift too many things that challenge your loaders capacity. I would not recommend them for any 3000 series loader less than a 300cx. Also, JD has changed the loader substantially to compete with the aftermarket 4n1's with its new 4n1. Mine had some unusually routed hydraulics which I did not like that much and those have been improved. The bucket capacity has also been improved. At the time I purchased mine, JD did not offer a joystick mounted controller for opening and closing the bucket, which they now apparently do. The opening and closing of the bucket had to be done using the console mounted SCV controller. It was fine for me, but if I would have used the loader more for that purpose I would have gotten an aftermarket branded. So, people ask me why I went with JD; the answer is that my dealer wanted to get one in to install and see how it worked for a customer, so I received a really nice deal on it. At the time and price equivalent, I would have gone with a WR Long system. Now, with the upgrades, as long as one can have the joystick control for the opening/closing actuation, the JD bucket is a viable option. I have seen one on a pallet (not installed) and the new JD/Frontier 4n1 looks much improved and eerily similar to the Long. My main caution was the deep reduction in effective lift capacity with the bucket, so I did not get one this time.

John M

 

[dirtworksequip]

Is this what you are looking for??? While I have not used mine for much lately I have pulled a few steel T post with it. It does fine for that if you plan on NOT using the post again. As far as pulling wood post I'm not sure the tractor would have enough lifting power. I always wanted a 4 in 1. The bucket is ok for light work, but really needs some added steel to really make is strong enough for heaver work. There are also a few design changes that need to be made to give the hyd. hoses some protection. I also would have liked to seen a bolt on cutting edge instead of just a welded edge. If you need additional pics I can probably find time to take some.

Sincerely, Dirt

4in1invw.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

 

[KarlJD3520]

John,

Thanks. I am also looking into the Long bucket and that seems even a bit heavier and it looks like with the Frontier I'll drop about 200 lbs from my lift capacity if not a bit more. I definitely will want a solenoid remote with a switch on the stick as opposed to using the separate SCV lever. There is no information I can find on the Deere site about their control options.

Dirt,
That looks like the one I am eying, the 60 inch. It looks more substantial in the back of your car than the pictures on the web site. Let me know how you like it. Guess it's a bit early to have a red bow on it . Are you using that on your 3520 Cab? Do you have a joystick switch mount? More pictures would be welcomed, especially of the interior controls and switches, the hydraulic routing and hoses for the bucket function and attachments. Thanks!

The search on here I have found has limited reports of use of this model and how people liked these models of 4n1 so I appreciate all the insights from people who have them and are using them.

 

[dirt ditch]

We have a JD 444 loader at work with a 2 yard bucket like this. At work it's called a clam shell bucket. Even though it is much bigger the concept is still the same. They work well for picking up brush piles and tree limbs along with some debris. It is best to use a chain to pull post. The 444 had just over 250 hours on it when used in the Tornado clean up at Greensburg. 4-in-1's are not indestructible, no mater how big they are. I did not get to see it happen, but the person who was running the loader tried to pull or pick up something way too big, heavy, or stuck with the clam shell. It ripped the side of the bucket out (3/4 inch steel), sheared off the outside lower left bracket (1 inch steel) and broke the 2 1/2 inch cylinder pin in half. Glad I was not running it at the time! There were so many different loader and skid steer buckets being used in the clean up. It was interesting to see which ones worked best for picking up debris, from tree limbs to bricks, walls, concrete or furniture. The best ones for this was the ones with grapple forks.

 

[jcmseven]

Karl,

The Long bucket is definitely heavier than the JD. It is also a little smaller in capacity stock but Long will build to order. For a 4000 series machine, the heavier Long bucket is the way to go. I really have reservations about the 4n1 buckets on 3000 series machines. I do not feel their utility outweighes the weight penalty. Where I live, these buckets mainly help with lifting rocks and stumps, etc. About 50% of the rocks I lift now I could not lift if I had a 4n1 due to their weight. I am not trying to talk you out of it, but maybe I am.

John M

 

[dirtworksequip]

Karl, I'll try and post some pics of the 4 in 1 bucket with it mounted on the tractor/loader in the next few days. I'll also try and point out some of the weaknesses as I see them. I just operate the jaws off the rear SCV hyd. control. That was the simplest way for me right now. It works fine, although a control button or buttons on the SCV lever would be a nice option.

Sincerely,Dirt

 

[KarlJD3520]

John,

Thanks. It looks like a compromise for sure and I have many times found having something that does a lot of functions poorly is not the best solution. It is definitely an option for me, though, because the materials handling I do is also limited. to a few times a year. It would certainly help with the long branches and hopefully be able to handle a little over a couple cubic feet of concrete with a lift. Looks like the Long model would cut about 400lbs from the lift capability. I have the same "day job" as you, and my implement switching time is limited.

Dirt,

Thanks. Whenever you get the time, that would be nice. I don't need the inside pics, as I have similar controls in mine and was interested in any of a JD
control mounted switch. The cable routing when mounted would be nice to see. JD doesn't show it.

 

[dirtworksequip]

Karl, here are the pics of the Fronteer 4n1 or multi-purpose bucket.
Below pic shows the boom hard lines which are feed from the rear SCV.
Hope that helps.
Sincerely, Dirt

4n1boomlineshoses.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


Below pic shows how I routed the 4n1 hoses to try and keep them from being damaged. I used a bungee to hold them to the loader tube and cable ties to hold the two hoses together.

4n1hoses.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting