LA 402 buckets

Hank · Dec 27, 2002

I am trying to get the best FEL bucket for my new B7800, which is still at the dealer, and I'm somewhat confused. I am hoping current B series owners of this FEL can help me out.

I would prefer a bucket that is both heavy duty and covers the R4 tracks (the R1 track is 53+ in., so I assume my R4's will be a bit wider, which means a 60 in. bucket).

The Kubota options that I can find for this FEL list a "54 in. square back bucket" and a "60 in. light material bucket". My dealer has confirmed that the steel in the 54" bucket does seem to be the heavier (about 50% heavier around the back and bottom).

So, it appears the smaller bucket is the heavy duty one, but won't fully cover the tractor's tracks.

Are there other options for a 60 in. heavy duty bucket with this FEL?

Anonymous Poster · Dec 27, 2002

Hi,

I have the 54 inch bucket on my B2910 with R4s and the bucket is just slightly wider than the rear tires...

Should be just the same on yours, since the 7800 and 2910 have the same frame, etc.

The R4 tire width is just over 53 inches at the widest point, and a little less than that at the ground contact point, if I remember my measurements correctly...

Bill in Pgh, PA

Anonymous Poster · Dec 27, 2002

PS....

A tooth bar really makes the lower lip of the bucket SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much stronger...I recommend you consider one...

Also digs better in hard stuff, and /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif adds to the macho factor...

Bill

Hank · Dec 28, 2002

Thanks for the size confirmation. Yep, a toothbar is on the order list.

Hoeman00 · Dec 28, 2002

Does that loader come w/ skid steer
quick-tach?
Skid steer buckets have more sizes and
far more heavy duty.

Hank · Dec 28, 2002

I don't believe Kubota offers a skid-steer quick tach setup, but there is one available from Kasco that I have looked into.

Bayrat · Dec 30, 2002

I have the 60" bucket on mine and would not want anything smaller. I have not noticed that it is "light duty" whatsoever. One option that I did not get was quick attach, was told Kubota did not offer it but later heard that they do.

Anonymous Poster · Dec 30, 2002

Bayrat and all,]

I have the 60" bucket on mine and would not want anything smaller. 

Funny thing is that I ordered a 60" with my B2910 and at the last minute decided to go with the 54 inch.

Did a lot of digging and some moving in the trees and could not help thinking "Boy am I glad I did not go with the 60 inch, this 54 inch is perfect for what I am doing...."

Guess it all depends on how we are using our tractors!

I also did not get a quick attach, was told they were not available and so it never entered the picture at my end either...

Bill in Pgh, PA

Bayrat · Dec 30, 2002

Funny Bill, I have been told that the quick attach is available by someone that looked at the loader blade I have for sale and wanted to know if it would fit his 2710 with that option. Perhaps it depends upon what dealer you have /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif. Since I went from a 68" on the NH to the 60" on the 2910 it seems small to me, but that is just for my use of course. I can see in tight areas or for digging (where a smaller bucket means more penetrating force per sq inch) the 54" might be good. I use mine primarily for stone, dirt, snow and brush removal as well as for carrying items from the house to the barn or work area and for me, the bigger the better!

Hank · Dec 30, 2002

I have the 60" bucket on mine and would not want anything smaller. I have not noticed that it is "light duty" whatsoever 

I was confused as well, and will wait to look at them in person to decide.

The term comes directly from the Kubota MSRP price sheet for the B7800 (which uses the LA402 FEL):

54" Square Back Bucket (B1616) $400
60" Light Material Bucket (B1617) $496

My dealer pulled up the spec sheets, and he said the "back and bottom metal" is .140" on the 60" bucket, and .200" on the 54" bucket, almost 50% thicker on the smaller bucket. This certainly does not make the 60" "light duty", and it may be the preferred one for me, for what I will be doing with it.

Thanks for all the feedback; it will help me out in the next two weeks as we prepare this tractor to bring home.

Bayrat · Dec 30, 2002

Hank,

I just finished clearing some brush and piling it with the 2910. I was very pleased the way those R4's worked in the field in 6-8 inches of snow, no problem at all. I just calipered the bucket and found the one piece construction of the radius portion to be .140 and the side plates to be .200. I can see I will need some sort of brush attachment to be efficient with it.

ronjhall · Dec 30, 2002

Bill and Bayrat
Here is a link to information on the Kubota Quick coupler. You may have missed it last June. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=custom&Number=112292&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1>CLICK HERE</A>

Anonymous Poster · Dec 30, 2002

Thanks for the pointer, Ron!

Bill

Bayrat · Dec 30, 2002

I like the skid-steer idea posted in that thread Ron. I have gotten pretty good at dangling implements from my 2T engine puller to enable quick pin alignment, but that quick attach still has it beat.

hayden · Dec 31, 2002

I've got the 60" "light" bucket on my 2910 and have no complaints. The lower lip does have a slight bow to it after two years of heavy use (I don't baby it in any way shape or form). I've used it to dig out stumps, move huge chunks of granite etc. Even if the 54" is heavier metal, I wouldn't trade the larger size/capacity for the extra metal thickness.

On the quick-attachs, keep in mind that they add a measurable amount of weight and that added weight gets subtracted from the lift capacity of the loader. On a smallish loader like the 402, you will probably loose around 200lbs from the 770lb lift capacity, which is a measurable percentage. The quick attach is less impactful on the larger loaders where you are only loosing 200lbs on at 1500lb+ capcity.

Hank · Dec 31, 2002

I've got the 60" "light" bucket on my 2910 and have no complaints. The lower lip does have a slight bow to it after two years of heavy use (I don't baby it in any way shape or form). I've used it to dig out stumps, move huge chunks of granite etc. Even if the 54" is heavier metal, I wouldn't trade the larger size/capacity for the extra metal thickness 

Thanks, Peter, that's exactly the kind of feedback I was searching for !! I am thinking a toothbar would strengthen the lower lip somewhat, too. Do you have one of those?

ronjhall · Jan 1, 2003

Hank
My 60" bucket has a similar bow in it as Peters. /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif It was made when using my tooth bar to remove some shrubs that had a large root ball. The lift is only about 880lbs. But using rollback will create over 1500lbs of force on cutting edge of bucket.
I went with the Kubota Quick Coupler because it weighs about 60lbs. All the others that I checked into, weighed over 250 lbs. Add that to a tooth bar that weighs about 90 lbs my 402 could only lift about 500 lbs. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
I will not be using my loader bucket to remove shrubs or roots anymore. I now have a backhoe to do this tough task. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Hank · Jan 1, 2003

I went with the Kubota Quick Coupler because it weighs about 60lbs. All the others that I checked into, weighed over 250 lbs. Add that to a tooth bar that weighs about 90 lbs my 402 could only lift about 500 lbs 

The jury is still out on the (brand of) Quick Coupler. I have found the ATI Quick-Tach is only 75 pounds, and uses skid-steer attachments, so I am getting the dealer to check this out for me as an option.

I read (last June), and just reread the forum thread you referenced above. Thanks.

hayden · Jan 9, 2003

I don't have a tooth bar, btu I was looking at the bucket over the weekend, and the "bow" is hardly noticable. I would get a tooth bar for just that reason.

If I could get a bigger bucket, I would. You can always fill it just part way for heavy material.