Frontier 4 in 1 FEL Bucket

dirtworksequip · Nov 30, 2007

Here are some pics of the Fronteer 4n1's weak points as I see it. With a little time and welding they could be fixed.

Below pic:
Where the two lines run into the top of the bucket is a potential problem. Anything coming over the top of the bucket may snap off one or both of these fittings. Fix: Box in these fittings with a metal guard.

topbuckethoserouteweakpoint.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Below pic: Potential for damage on these exposed lines. Fix: Hmmmmm, not sure on this one. Have not thought about it much. Maybe someone here will come up with something that would help???

hoserouteweakpoint.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Below pic: This bottom piece is way too thin. Has the potential to wear quickly and or getting bent real easy. Fix: Weld additional steel on bottom to stenghten.

bottomcornerweakpoint.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

There are also other parts that need "beefed up" with additional steel,but I'm not going to get into that now.

Sincerely, Dirt

KarlJD3520 · Dec 1, 2007

Dirt,

Thanks, that helped a lot. Is there a quick disconnect located where the FEL hook ups are under the floorboard on the right side to connect the additional lines for the bucket opening?

Pics are great. Fortunately, I have some time to gather my thoughts on getting this new bucket. Right now, the blower is on the front of the tractor and when it gets a little bit later, I'll be heading out to deal with the 4 in of snow we got last night.

Karl

RollTideRam · Dec 1, 2007

I have the same lines on my loader to operate my grapple. They have QC's on the grapple end and a set mounts next to the original loader lines. JC

jcmseven · Dec 1, 2007

Karl,

I have previously expressed my feelings about the 4n1 buckets from my personal use also. I must say that Dirt's pix actually show hose routing that is less good than the 72" 4n1 I had on my 4520. This makes me wonder if they upgraded some aspects at the expense of others. I do not know what the consensus here might be but if I were planning to get a 4n1 I really would strongly look at the WR Long one as well. It is a much beefier and heavy duty bucket. It probably weighes 50-100# more than the JD bucket for equivalent size but it is really tough. It also has all the necessary plates for reinforcement welded on already. Dirt, I am sure, has seen a couple of the same weak spots I saw on the JD bucket, I left mine but I can see where one might wish to weld on some reinforcement plating.

John M

dirtworksequip · Dec 1, 2007

John, actually I enjoy doing some design tweeking and improvements on my tractor and implements. My tractor is sort of a hobby with me and I also have a friend or two that likes to look at a factory design and then come up with a better mouse trap.
Maybe if I had a chance to view a WR Long 4n1 I would have went that route. From what you say they sound like a stronger and better designed bucket.

Karl, I'll try and get some pics of the hyd. hook ups for the rear SVC and the bucket quick connects.

Sincerely,Dirt

proglassco · Dec 2, 2007

Here is the pic of my tractor....I have to use the middle lever to open/close the bucket....once you get use to it, it isn't that bad....but I would love to have the option right on the loader stick....

I have the 'older' JD 4 in 1...it is black:

I must admit, I love mine.....I don't do a lot of heavy lifting, just general purpose with is, and it has been great (especially when picking up brush piles and the like)!

TCowner · Dec 3, 2007

ProGlassCo, I like your tractor. I have a 4720 with ComfortGard cab on order which is supposed to be shipped January 5. I'm getting the third hydraulic outlet to operate my grapple attachment like I currently do on my New Holland.

I recall some discussion some time ago that there was a factory option from Deere to integrate a third hydraulic function into the loader joystick control. Nothing like this shows up on the John Deere configurator web site.

Does anyone have any information on whether this exists from Deere or is it available only from an another supplier.

dirtworksequip · Dec 3, 2007

TCowner,ask member jcmseven as he mentioned the loader lever mounted controller for operating the extra hydraulic functions. My be he will shed some light on where he got his info. He is usually in the know on the latest new stuff out from JD.

Sincerely, Dirt

KarlJD3520 · Dec 3, 2007

RT Ram,

Thanks, I was hoping that was the case.

Dirt,
I like the curved jaws on the Frontier with the serations for gripping, but I guess the trade off is needing to mod the bucket. I am not particularly good with welding.

John,
I might be able to live with the compromises, because I can switch back to the materials bucket if needed.. More likely, I would just make more trips with smaller loads when using it to move materials, which I only do a couple of times a year. It looks like it's (limited) grappling functions would be a plus.

Proglassco,

Thanks for the pictures. Is that a WR Long bucket? They definitely have a solenoid operated switch and a replacement (screw on) handle for the bucket function. Having just spent about 5 hrs blowing snow this weekend, the cab tractor sure beats the open station 1070 it replaced-hands down.

Sunday Morning:

.

GalwayBoy · Dec 3, 2007

I have the same 72 inch 4in1 as Proglassco on my 400x and couldn't be without it. I use it for everything. While this is my first tractor, I can't imagine being without it. I routinely pick up brush piles, rocks pull wood posts, grab logs, you name it. I've rigged up crude forks by placing 2x's extending out of a split bucket to pick up pallets of shavings. Picked up sagging wire fences with it. The longer you have one, the more useful it becomes. I had issue with snapped hydraulic elbows, but I believe Deere altered their stampings to resolve that.

You can search my posts, there is some past discussion that I was part of.
I believe I've got a few pictures up as well.

My setup it stock Deere with the 3rd scv controlling the jaws. While I thought that it would be very cumbersome, it's not bad at all. I switch hands, and work the joystick with my left, while closing the jaws(scv) with my right. And while I'm sure an electric diverter with a stick mounted button can't be beat for convenience, It's not worth the price- at least to me.

Jon in Galway