Quick-release loader buckets

[hayden]

Is anyone using a skid-steer style quick-release loader bucket? My local dealer sells ATI brand loader buckets and quick-release frames so you can easily switch to any skid-steer attachment. Anyone have experience with these? Any drawback compared to a pin mount loader bucket?

 

[MChalkley]

It's not a Kubota, by my EarthForce has a skid-steer style loader quick-attach. They're pretty bullet-proof. No real disadvantages, other than the fact that any mechanical device needs lubrication and periodic maintenance. In my opinion, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

ATI makes good quality stuff, too.

 

[HalseyGreen]

I have a little JD 790 and was looking at the same concept, a way to making changing from bucket to pallet forks, etc. eaiser and faster. Checked with one of the local dealers and he asked about the lifting capacity of the loader, and was I willing to give up a couple hundred pounds, being the weight of the tractor and additional metal for the bucket. Since my full height capacity is only around 800 pounds now, I didn't think it was a good idea and I am now looking at the 4000 series design.

 

[MChalkley]

HalseyGreen - That's a disadvantage I didn't think of. Based on the extra backing plates I bought to adapt some 3-point implements I have, I'd estimate that they weigh about 75 pounds. But you probably save 25 pounds or so of steel in the pin brackets, etc. Net 50, there. The weight of the additional stuff on the loader itself is probably another 75 pounds. So, I'd say the weight penalty for the whole deal is closer to 125 pounds than 200. Either way, though, if you're looking at 800 total capacity, it's most likely not an acceptable trade-off.

 

[BBearden]

Hayden,

I wanted a grapple, so I have the quick attachment. I love it. I can change buckets in less than a few minutes. The bucket and grapple have the necessary features to attach directly to the loader. This is my first tractor, so I can't compare to the other types.

 

[Westbilly]

I want a grapple on my 2410, can you post a pic so I can tell what it looks like.

 

[hayden]

I recall someone saying that the quick-attach buckets wiggled around a bit under some conditions where a pinned bucket has zero wiggle room.

Have you found this so?

 

[MChalkley]

Hayden - I'm sure there's more play in a quick-attach loader implement than a standard one, but there's sure not enough there to make any difference. At least not with new stuff. I can't say for sure what will happen when it gets a lot of wear on it, but the way the design works, I can't see it getting sloppy. I don't know how much weight the quick-attach plates are designed to take, but today I put the 1.5 cu. yd. (struck) bucket on, and scooped up a full heaped bucket of crusher run, which should've been 1 3/4 cu. yds. according to the figures D&E gave me, and it didn't even whimper. The quick attach didn't have any play in it and the EF-5 snatched it up easily. (I could see the weight in the bulge of the front tires, though.) As a practical matter, I don't think play in the quick-attach is anything to worry about.

 

[Kent]

Check this thread

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=implement&Number=90313&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1#Post90313>http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=implement&Number=90313&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1#Post90313</A>

 

[AndyR]

Pete,
I keep running into the load limit on the L3710 as it is. Why cut capacity? It just soo much fun /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif to change buckets. I guess if you are doing light work it would be OK but I hate to give up the power.