4-in-1 Uses for a 4-in-1 bucket?

[Dargo]

I just bought a 4-in-1 bucket to use on my JD 5525 tractor and my Takeuchi TL250 (Takeuchi - TL250) track loader. I had a few specific uses in mind and have already used it some and it has performed great. I bought a 72" X-treme series 4-in-1 bucket from these guys 4-in-1 Bucket. It seems well made and it's 1170 pound shipping weight crushed the pallet it was on. Mine has 3" bore cylinders, a 1" thick cutting blade and 5/8" side walls. I wanted one strong enough to use with my track loader and not worry about tearing it up. Unfortunately, I'm sure it will reduce my lift capacity on my tractor due to it's rather heavy weight. However, I shouldn't have to worry about tearing it up with either machine.

One of the first questions is how do you guys secure the extra length of hoses going to the bucket? I don't want to just leave the flopping around. I'm afraid I'll get them caught on brush and limbs in wooded areas. Right now I just used 2 relatively wide zip ties and secured the lines to one of the vertical grab handles on the TL250 close to where they attach to the machine. I thought I'd do the same with the other end but it appears as if I need the extra length if I have the bucket completely raised and tilt the bucket to dump rather than opening the clam shell part of it.

Other than that, what are some of the common uses you guys use 4-in-1 buckets for? I've used it as a grapple to move several dozen telephone poles and to pull some shrubs out of the ground. I'm sure they have all sorts of uses besides my initial uses.

 

[MarkV]

One of the novel uses I have heard of was trimming limbs on a fence line. Reach up and shear the limb off by clamping the bucket.

MarkV

 

[Builder]

One of the novel uses I have heard of was trimming limbs on a fence line. Reach up and shear the limb off by clamping the bucket.

MarkV

That was me in this thread:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/1756732-post14.html

There are so many other uses for a 4/1 that go unmentioned. Why just last month, I raised my FEL to full height, opened the 4/1 and bit off dozens of tree branches that would have been in the way of my construction.

One of the first questions is how do you guys secure the extra length of hoses going to the bucket? I don't want to just leave the flopping around. I'm afraid I'll get them caught on brush and limbs in wooded areas. Right now I just used 2 relatively wide zip ties and secured the lines to one of the vertical grab handles on the TL250 close to where they attach to the machine. I thought I'd do the same with the other end but it appears as if I need the extra length if I have the bucket completely raised and tilt the bucket to dump rather than opening the clam shell part of it.

You're supposed to join both hoses together and slip "loom" over them so they are protected from limbs, rocks, etc. I know you're a beginner, so if you don't know what loom is, it's like a synthetic braided sleeve used for protecting hose.

You're supposed to leave them loose or they'll be too short when you roll the bucket completely.

Was that helpful?

 

[Dargo]

You're supposed to join both hoses together and slip "loom" over them so they are protected from limbs, rocks, etc. I know you're a beginner, so if you don't know what loom is, it's like a synthetic braided sleeve used for protecting hose.

You're supposed to leave them loose or they'll be too short when you roll the bucket completely.

Was that helpful?

Every 4-in-1 bucket I looked at have braided hose guards keeping the hoses together. Each has it's own protector and then both are inside one larger protector. I posted a link to the manufacturer, so it shouldn't be confused with a homemade model; not that some homemade items aren't well built.

It appears as if most guys who venture off into areas with a lot of brush just use bungee cords to help hold the lines in close and still allow them the travel they require at full extension.

 

[nvlong4n1]

Another 4n1 bucket source. UJXLP.

 

[Dargo]

Another 4n1 bucket source. UJXLP.

Thanks. I would comment that, for a tractor and not a track loader, the 1140 pound weight of the bucket I bought can be a detriment. The particular bucket I bought is over-kill for a utility size tractor and it's weight takes away from the capacity and lift ability of the tractor. I would now not recommend the particular series 4-in-1 bucket for a CUT or utility tractor. I lighter made model would work just fine.

 

[Builder]

I bought a Kubota 4/1 bucket model # L2245. After quite a bit of searching, I found this one at 820 lbs to be heavier than the cheapy models for small compacts that were 500-700lbs, but lighter than the 1,000 lb + skid steer models that were so heavy they didn't leave me enough bucket weight capacity.

 

[Dargo]

I bought a Kubota 4/1 bucket model # L2245. After quite a bit of searching, I found this one at 820 lbs to be heavier than the cheapy models for small compacts that were 500-700lbs, but lighter than the 1,000 lb + skid steer models that were so heavy they didn't leave me enough bucket weight capacity.

Perfectly stated and right on the money based on my personal observations. It is entirely possible to have a bucket on a CUT or utility tractor that is too heavy built and actually ends up being less functional than a properly sized one.

 

[IslandTractor]

It appears as if most guys who venture off into areas with a lot of brush just use bungee cords to help hold the lines in close and still allow them the travel they require at full extension.

That is exactly what I do with both my 4n1 and my grapple. Works fine. I do also protect the lines coming over the top of the QA mount with a section of split hose secured to the adapter in addition to the usual polyester sleeve.

 

[IslandTractor]

Another 4n1 bucket source. UJXLP.

I have one of the standard duty 60 inch WRLong 4n1 buckets. Works well and is not too heavy but still plenty stout. It is technically undersized for my tractor as my standard bucket is 72 inches. However, I don't use it primarily for moving large piles of dirt/sand etc as it has no advantage at all over the standard bucket for such tasks. My favorite use for the 4n1 is as a companion to my BH. I can dig out a stump and then use the 4n1 to lift it out, then change configuration and fill in the hole then grade it nicely. All without changing implements. My only real complaint is that some of the zerks are underneath in areas that get ground into dirt and it is a PITA to grease them as the bucket must be raised and curled to get at them. Nelson, please move those zerks. Otherwise no complaints.