Taking the Bucket off my NH 7308 FEL ?

[brin]

My tractor is at my farm and I am thinking about buying a grapple but it will replace the bucket...I have never removed the bucket from my NH 7308 Loader.

I want to be able to switch back and forth between the grapple and the loader bucket without too much time or labor...Do any of you know how difficult it is to remove just the bucket from the loader...the tractor is not here so I can't look at it ...Thanks

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

The first time will be the hardest. Depending on how old your loader is. After you get the pins out clean them up and neverseize them. The more often you remove them the easier they are to remove. They wont have a chance to get rusted in place.
Bill

 

[WM75Guy]

I switched my 16LA to SSQA. I can change attachments in a minute, literally. Knocking out the pins and lining them up each time you change attachments would get old quick. It took a friend's help to swap my bucket for the adapter plate. It was not cheap but well worth the price.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ng/195123-switched-16la-front-end-loader.html

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I have taken the bucket off my 7308 to put on a curtis blade before. It isn't hard to do but if you have a helper it would be great for hooking the new attachment up. Someone you trust to work the hydraulics as you line the cylinders up to the attachment holes.

I have looked into switching to a quick attach plate. There are companies that make aftermarket kits to change over but I just couldn't justify the cost. I figure when I finally replace the loader tractors I will buy the new loader with the quick attach bucket option. Should be a few more years though before the TN is ready to be replaced.

 

[thclimer]

I've had mine off once when I took the bucket to have some grab hooks welded to the pipe at the top of the bucket.

At the time my loader was 3 or 4 years old and the bucket had never been off. The tractor has always been stored out of the weather.

I was able to remove and reinstall it myself; the pins were not rusted and came out with a few taps using an old bolt, which was smaller in diameter than the pin. When reinstalling I remember using small blocks of wood and a steel bar for leverage to shim the bucket level.

A helper for sure would make the job go much quicker. If I was going to do it often I would probably look into a quick attach option.

By the way those grab hooks were one of the best additions to my tractor that I have ever made. I've used them countless times with chains and straps to help lift and hold items in the bucket. There is one in the middle and one at each end.

 

[Depmandog]

I have only had my FEL since late fall. My first attachment purchase was a pallet fork. In that short of time, I have changed between bucket and forks several times - and every time save one I have been by myself.....I HAVE the quick attach. If my tractor had not of came with it - that would have been my first purchase.

Round about way of saying - I love driving up to the bucket, hoping off and rotating two levers, and away I go. No mess no fuss. It also expands your abilities to rent / borrow other FEL attachments. If you have the extra cash, I suggest looking into the attachment plate.

 

[brin]

Thanks guys for all the information....Here is what I am thinking about adding to my FEL after I take the bucket off...It is a grapple and requires no added hydraulics and with the bucket off...it eliminates a lot of weight giving me more capacity...it is only $ 1,285 plus $ 200 in shipping which is a lot less than adding all the hydraulics plus a grapple...

With this grapple installed if I ever needed to use the bucket I would have to reinstall it that is the only drawback...that is why I was curious how difficult it is to make the switch...I could do many things with the grapple that I would normally use the bucket for but if I ever have to scoop material....then I would have to put the bucket back on.

Anyone have any experience with this grapple Front-End Loaders by Westendorf: Front-End Loaders by Westendorf: loader for tractor, shade canopy, wagons, manure & landscaping equipment.

 

[thclimer]

Brin,

That is a pretty neat design, which does not need any additional hydraulics. Looks like it would work well for brush. Those hooks/claws look nasty!

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

The only thing that worries me is that there is nothing connecting the two sides. I would think there should be a cross tube or somthing to help distribute the weight to both lift arms. I have a Westendorf loader and am pleased with it.
Bill