John Deere 70 FEL

Whitey · Jul 7, 2008

OK....I have come to to the conclusion that I cannot replace my trusty old 770 for what I have in her so I am going to keep her. With that said has anyone ever changed their model 70 FEL bucket to another style?

If so how did it go? I really do not have an issue with the amount that it will pick up it is just the shape. Also.....can anyone confirm if the 419 FEL is a close comparison? If so maybe a bucket switch. Finally, what should I be careful of if I do this?

Thanx

JD 770 / 70 FEL / 7 BH - 425 AWS / 54" MMM / 54" FEL

Lookin for a JD 1520 in good shape.

RoyJackson · Jul 7, 2008

You'll have to replace the loader mounts and front weight bracket as well...at least those.
I'm not sure about anything else.

Does your loader work OK? Is it just a cosmetic switch? If that's the case, I'd spend the money on getting your 70 refurbished.

dieselram · Jul 7, 2008

Hey Whitey, there was a 1520 in the area shopper recently.

Whitey · Jul 8, 2008

RoyJackson said:
You'll have to replace the loader mounts and front weight bracket as well...at least those.
I'm not sure about anything else.

Does your loader work OK? Is it just a cosmetic switch? If that's the case, I'd spend the money on getting your 70 refurbished.

It works just fine Roy.......the shape of the bucket is what I don't like. It is OK for picking up gravel in a pile but not for removing material on a flat surface. I also have a project going with barn stone and the large flat ones are tough to get in and pick up. I have been looking at the newer style buckets and they are a lot more efficient in design than my old squarish bucket.

BobT_770 · Jul 9, 2008

A bucket like this? I would like to have a heavier version of this (have a heavy duty tooth bar on it now, now shown) and a higher-volume one sometimes. But overall, this bucket works just fine for this tractor.

Whitey · Jul 10, 2008

Yep, that's the buck I have. I thought about teeth but just didn't do it. If you look at the latest bucket designs the are sweeping with a curved under belly. Not squarish in design. Maybe it is a materials bucket only. My quest is to find a bucket like a new one and attach it without breaching the load maximums. I am in the process of building a barn stone wall and patio and I have to chain or strap the larger stones because they don't fit.

JD 770 / 70 FEL / 7 BH - 425 AWS / 54" MMM / 54" FMP

Spudland_Dave · Jul 10, 2008

Depends on your ability & tool inventory...BUT..I'd just pick the bucket you like and cut/weld/grind/fabricate mounts for your new bucket to fit your FEL......