BleedOrange
New member
Does anyone have a larger bucket than 60" on your L3800? Would you recommend a 72"?
Loader Larger bucket
- Thread starter BleedOrange
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Depends on what you plan to haul. When I was moving a bunch of gravel, I couldn't use a larger one but lately I've been hauling mulch and could use a larger bucket. Besides, I hit enough objects with the 60" bucket :ashamed: I hate to see how many things I bump into with an extra 6"!!!
Larger (heavier) buckets also reduce what you can lift... something to think about.
Larger (heavier) buckets also reduce what you can lift... something to think about.
I saw a thread a long time ago about high capacity light weight buckets, they were really big. You'd have to be moving something light like leaves, or packing peanuts, but they'd be great for something like that.
i agree w/ prev poster that it really is a function of max load on your model. each change to your set up should be a solution to a specific problem or new circumstance, rather than just goin' bigger for it's own sake........
why would you want a larger bucket on a compact tractor of that size?
another consideration is that with a longer width bucket protruding beyond the ft. wheels, you have more chance of catching something like trees, fence posts, etc as you drive along esp in the woods. could be dangerous & destructive.
I specifically went with a 72" instead of the 84" option on my 8540 for that reason alone........ just something to consider. best
why would you want a larger bucket on a compact tractor of that size?
another consideration is that with a longer width bucket protruding beyond the ft. wheels, you have more chance of catching something like trees, fence posts, etc as you drive along esp in the woods. could be dangerous & destructive.
I specifically went with a 72" instead of the 84" option on my 8540 for that reason alone........ just something to consider. best
OP
BleedOrange
New member
Gravel and dirt. Only real reason I was wanting to check into a larger bucket is I have been looking at adding spacers to widen the wheels out to make it safer on hill sides. If I'm not mistaken the 66" holds about the same weight as a 60". Or that was what I was told at the dealership.
Chilly807
Elite Member
I think you'll find the standard bucket full of gravel is a handful for the loader to lift as it is. My L3400 with loaded R1's gets light in the back end with a full 60" bucket up front, and has trouble with a heaping bucket of wet gravel on occasion. My hydraulic pressure is normal.
Sean
Sean
Again, the 66" is for volume... the loader will only lift so much. Do you know the weight of both buckets? I would honestly say that anything I pick up, my rear wheels never come close to the "working" area. It fills up pretty quick to the point that my *front* wheels barely touch the pile. Hum, maybe I should try the larger bucket 
ultrarunner
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I made an extender for mine out of plywood... three time more capacity and worked great for moving mulch... for about a dozen trips and then it started falling apart.
The plywood and fasteners were no match for the power of my Kubota.
The plywood and fasteners were no match for the power of my Kubota.
Chilly807
Elite Member
I needed more volume for snow, but still wanted to be able to get light through for working at night.
No problems yet after 3 years, it adds a lot of volume for stacking firewood in too! I simply unbolt it for the summer.
Sean
OP
BleedOrange
New member
That screen is an awesome ideal. Even if your loading rock u can see through to see if your bucket is full, plus when your loading onto a truck that will keep rock and dirt off the paint. Great,
tractorshopper
Veteran Member
I got the QA 66" on mine and use it all the time. Haven't found a load of clay or wet rip-rap buried in clay/sand, or anything that it hasn't been able to lift a full heaping bucket load of. I have a 72" BB on the back (550 lbs) when doing this work and have my rear wheels filled too. Every now and then with a heaping load of wet clay, it will feel light in the rear, but at controlled speed I have no issues at all. Just keep the load low to the ground while travelling.
I have dug out a lot of stumps, pushed up to 6" diameter trees over and pushed into the woods, and moved a lot of sub surface rocks. I amazed at what this thing will do. On some stumps, I'd get under them and sometimes wouldn't lift, but if you keep working at them eventually they come up.
I should have posted pictures of my last project, but I moved a lot of dirt and rock in no time, recontoured my 300+ ft ditchline by digging it all out, then filling in to make a nice wide U type ditch and sodded the section of ditchline 20' wide to get started with. Box blade and loader really do the job. Made a swale down one property line probably another 300 ft or more to direct run off into the new ditch and control run off also. Moved piles and piles of dirt. Before sodding, had to refill the other ditch line where I dug out all the sediment and rip-rap and moved more piles. Had a blast the entire time. The tooth bar is a must for this kind of work in my humble opinion and has been worth every penny. Boy do I love my L3800.
I have dug out a lot of stumps, pushed up to 6" diameter trees over and pushed into the woods, and moved a lot of sub surface rocks. I amazed at what this thing will do. On some stumps, I'd get under them and sometimes wouldn't lift, but if you keep working at them eventually they come up.
I should have posted pictures of my last project, but I moved a lot of dirt and rock in no time, recontoured my 300+ ft ditchline by digging it all out, then filling in to make a nice wide U type ditch and sodded the section of ditchline 20' wide to get started with. Box blade and loader really do the job. Made a swale down one property line probably another 300 ft or more to direct run off into the new ditch and control run off also. Moved piles and piles of dirt. Before sodding, had to refill the other ditch line where I dug out all the sediment and rip-rap and moved more piles. Had a blast the entire time. The tooth bar is a must for this kind of work in my humble opinion and has been worth every penny. Boy do I love my L3800.
OP
BleedOrange
New member
Tractorshopper just exactly what I wanted to hear. Thanks a bunch for the information. One other thing is your loader a LA524 with a 66" bucket?
OP
BleedOrange
New member
Did not know that
Ty
Ty
magicheater
Veteran Member
Same for the LA402/403=LA504
Also, the weak spot is the front axle so when you plan to lift a lot of weight - get a lot of weight *behind* the rear tires on the 3ph. Loaded rear tires help with stability but not unloading some weight from the front axle.
OP
BleedOrange
New member
So I have a pin on 60" bucket. Do they only make the 66" bucket in QC or they make a pin on as well and what's the difference? I've had tractors before but never had one with a bucket. I've used my neighbors backhoe a bunch, but this L3800 is not nearly as big and I just don't want to break anything.
Ok, then why are you trying to put a 72" bucket on it? kubota lists the 66" as an option... most likely they don't think the tractor should have a larger one. I *think* that the QC is universal so if you get a larger bucket with the same QC - it should fit. I don't have one... so maybe someone with experience will chime in....
Chilly807
Elite Member
There are some minor differences in the 463 and 524, the mount system is different, for example. I think the 524 has a curved boom as well.
However, as Teg says, the lift capacity is nearly identical from all I've heard. The limiting factor isn't so much the actual strength of the loader components but the design and weight of the tractor it's attached to.
Sean
However, as Teg says, the lift capacity is nearly identical from all I've heard. The limiting factor isn't so much the actual strength of the loader components but the design and weight of the tractor it's attached to.
Sean
