WHICH BUCKET

Anonymous Poster · Jun 25, 2001

I JUST SIGNED THE PAPERS ON A 3010 WITH 482 LOADER...THE BUCKET WAS LISTED AS 70 INCH...THEY ARE GOING TO WELD 2 INCH ANGLE IRON TO THE TOP WITH 3 HOOKS AND BEEF IT UP ON THE SIDES...
I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO COME WITH A 60 INCH BUCKET FROM READING THE LITERATURE ON THE LOADER..
IT LOOKS LIKE YOU CAN GET A 60, 66 AND 70 INCH BUCKET...

WHAT WOULD BE BEST? IS THE 70 MADE AS WELL AS THE OTHERS (IT IS LISTED AS A "LIGHT MATERIAL BUCKET"

I KNOW IT WON'T BE AS BEEFY AS THE 60 IN ROUND BACK HD BUCKET..BUT MY DEALER IS GOING TO DO THE AFTER MARKET CHANGES AS ABOVE..

radman · Jun 25, 2001

IMHO, the 70" bucket is too big for the size of your tractor. I have a 66" bucket for my 3710 and that is about right. The 70" is primarily used for light materials such as mulch, branches and other materials that have more bulk than weight. If you try to dig in dirt, carry sand, gravel etc., the smaller bucket is much more efficient. With a large bucket, the loader won't be able to lift full loads or dig well. A larger bucket could also be damaged more easily due to its longer length. For my use I prefer a bucket just wider than the width of the tires. The loader lift on a 3010 is about 1000lbs and on my 3710, 1500lbs. The minimum tread width listed for the 3010 is 56.7 inches (probably AG tires). I would recommend a 60" or at most a 66" bucket for a 3010.

Sailorcrew · Jun 25, 2001

I also have the L3010HST, loaded r4's, and the heavy duty bucket. For me, the bucket is perfect. I really don't need a size bigger than that and so far most of the time it's hauling granite rocks, digging and carrying soil and crushed stone. So far, the only ill effects are some missing orange paint from the cutting edge. I've been prying rocks out of the ground, bulldozing small trees and don't think the standard bucket would have been so resiliant. David

Boondox · Jun 26, 2001

I have the same rig and agree with David and Radman... except I got the standard 66" bucket so it would overlap the width of the tractor by a couple of inches. I've used mine to pry boulders and small trees out of the ground, scoop silt out of drainage ditches, and to haul some pretty hefty logs for cutting. So far, no damage or bending at all. The light duty bucket isn't made for that kind of work.

Pete in northern Vermont

www.GatewayToVermont.com

JayinNH · Jun 26, 2001

REMI,
I have a 3010HST and have a 66" bucket. I have used it for extensive digging and rock hauling. No dents or bends in the bucket. I also have hooks on the top with a welded brace. Good luck
Jason

Bird · Jun 26, 2001

REMI, you should check with the dealer to be sure, but I don't think the light material bucket is made any lighter or cheaper than the standard bucket. I think it's just called a light material bucket because it's bigger and you can move larger quantities of light material, but could possibly get more heavy material in it than the tractor can handle. But you do need to verify that because I could be wrong.

Bird

Boondox · Jun 26, 2001

Bird -- I think at least in the case of the L3010 like mine there simply isn't enough oooomph to effectively handle a 70" wide bucketload of heavy stuff. When digging in wet sand, Clementine has her arms full with 66". If not for the desire to move snow wider than the tractor, I might have gone with the narrow heavy duty bucket just to focus the power on a smaller footprint. But like you, I suspect the construction is similar.

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

Anonymous Poster · Jun 26, 2001

Thanks for all the advice....dealer was great...I am going with the 66 in bucket...Just one last bit of anxiety....will the outside of the rear turf tires be wider than this??? It will be rare that I would plow with the bucket but possible....Thanks again to everyone for their input. Can wait till delivery day.