New 448 Hoe

GreatWhitehunter · Apr 11, 2007

Well, the 448 finnally arrived an was installed on my 3320. I was so excited, I couldn't wait to make a mess. Within the first hour I broke off a tooth on the bucket. Is this a problem others have had? I was removing an oak stump when I lost the tooth. It's an 18" bucket if that helps. I noticed the other three are also already bent. I would have thought that these thinks would hold up a little better than that for almost 8k. Other than that I love the hoe.

Matt T.

One of these days I got to post some pics of my toys for you guys to see!

Chris2520 · Apr 11, 2007

Did you get the heavy duty bucket. i saw them at the dealer and priced them when i was looking at a 3320. it looked to be alot stronger bucket to me.

I am sorry to hear you broke a tooth in such a short time.

but i hear a 448 is a strong hoe..

GreatWhitehunter · Apr 11, 2007

It is the standard bucket. I did pay more for it since the come with a 12" bucket. I think the 18" hd was around $350. But I figured it was more for commercial use. I wasn't really working the hoe.It is a very powerful hoe. I may upgrade to a 4000 series in a few years . I will be using the hoe on that machine also.

Matt T.

tom30519 · Apr 11, 2007

I have the 18" standard bucket on my 448 BH, on a 4520. I've used it for over a year to dig plenty of stumps and rocks without breaking any teeth. Or anything else, either.

I suppose if you got a tooth wedged into a crack in that oak stump then changed the bucket angle, this might snap it off. The outer end part of the tooth is replaceable, at least it is on my bucket, which is a clue that these are likely to break from time to time.

Tom.

Chris2520 · Apr 12, 2007

Get the heavy duty bucket. i have seen them side by side there is quite a difference. you wont hurt a heavy duty bucket.....

kenwyatt · Apr 12, 2007

ok, for the guys that are backhoe savy I saw a spec on one that stated " ripping fprce 4.500 lbs " my question is how does that compare to a JD 448. Do not want to end up with one that won't dig very well. The one I am talking about is a towable model that claim's to be able to dig 6 ft deep with a 8 ft reach. I own a 3320 HST that I would love to put a 448 on but we are talking twice the price of a new towable one. Any response on this would be apprecated. Have a lot of small stumps to dig out a few lines to bury and a small pond I would not mind digging deeper.

GreatWhitehunter · Apr 12, 2007

Does anyone know which aftermarket Co has a bucket to fit the 448? I emailed gannon. Who else should I try? I'm going to call the dealer and price the 18" hd bucket today but I'm sure that will be extremly expensive.

Matt T.

jeffinsgf · Apr 12, 2007

I don't think you need the HD bucket. Teeth are cheap and they pop off from time to time. I just wish there was a better way to peen them on. You may replace that one and not pop another off for years. Just don't keep working without a tooth. If you wear down the "root", you'll have a tough time getting new teeth to peen on correctly.

I've lost two in a little over 2 years. The middle one both times. Trying to break limestone both times.

Cidertom · Apr 12, 2007

If I read the post correctly, you lost the entire tooth, not just the cap. Did the weld fail or did you shear metal? Either way I would complain.

Jeffinsgf: I use a torch to get the hole hot then peen it down.

GreatWhitehunter · Apr 12, 2007

I believe I lost the whole thing. I just talked to the dealer, they told me bring the bucket back and they'll take care of it. He said that they'd weld a new on or replace the bucket. I asked about and aftermarket bucket from Gannon (their a woods dealer) a he told me he wishes they made one. He also said that the HD bucket wasn't worth it.

Matt T.