What loader bucket size for john deere 3520 with turf tires?

[BigMike50]

I use a 60" bucket with my 3520 and agri tyres. I find it already very cumbersome around trees and buildings and when full it is very heavy for the 300CX and the front axle. I wouldn't try anything bigger.

Thanks for the pictures! I'm sold on the 60". No turning back. Just not too many cons for the 60 with my situation. Hopefully this thread helps someone else out

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Bigger is always better with snow, of course. If you're only planning (or would prefer) to buy just 1 bucket - get the 72 inch.

AKfish

That's what I used to think, until I bought a 84" Horst Materials Handling bucket for snow. The bucket is just too heavy to be a comfortable tool. Steering can be difficult with the bucket flat on the ground and in "float." For light snow the wider footprint and capacity are good, but if the snow is heavy, lifting a full bucket can be a challenge. If the bucket gets loaded off center it is real easy to be on three wheels, even with a BH for ballast. This season, I just used the HD 60" bucket on the front and 60" blower on back and found that to be a much better compromise. I have not tried a 72" bucket so cannot comment, except to say I suspect a full bucket of heavy material might be a stretch for the 3x20 series to lift.

 

[foggy1111]

I've got a 3320 with a 300cx loader and a 60" bucket. I added a tooth bar. I have rim guard in my rear tires and keep a box blade loaded with 10 suitcase weights on the back when using the loader. Still.....the rear can feel light at times....and I am going to rig for still more rear weight. The cx is one powerful loader for the tractor size.

I like the digging ability of the 60" bucket and tooth bar......and would not like a bigger one for my purposes. I can pick up a bucket full of anything....and have adequate ballast. But when I put my grapple on.....some of the trees I pick up can get a bit dicey. Lotsa leverage on a long tree cross-wise in the jaws.

 

[AKfish]

That's what I used to think, until I bought a 84" Horst Materials Handling bucket for snow. The bucket is just too heavy to be a comfortable tool. Steering can be difficult with the bucket flat on the ground and in "float." For light snow the wider footprint and capacity are good, but if the snow is heavy, lifting a full bucket can be a challenge. If the bucket gets loaded off center it is real easy to be on three wheels, even with a BH for ballast. This season, I just used the HD 60" bucket on the front and 60" blower on back and found that to be a much better compromise. I have not tried a 72" bucket so cannot comment, except to say I suspect a full bucket of heavy material might be a stretch for the 3x20 series to lift.

I've got a 84" WorkPro bucket, too. (I didn't suggest that as an option...) It is a lot of steel hangin' on the end of the loader and I don't think I'd even consider hooking it up without chains on the front tires! I'd be afraid of skittering to and fro and end up stuck in the ditch or jammed into the side of the barn!

72" was more than my Model 80 FEL could lift (~1,200lbs) if the material was wet or fine (sand). So, I never attempted to routinely heap the bucket with that material. Snow, even wet snow - bring it on - as much as I could load into it.

Everything is a compromise. Nothing is perfect. Find something that fits most situations and go with it!

AKfish

 

[kevin37b]

Nice place you got there , soulasphil .

 

[AKfish]

That's what I used to think, until I bought a 84" Horst Materials Handling bucket for snow.

After I saw pictures of your bucket - that's when I decided I'd get a high volume materials bucket for snow. I bought the JD WorkPro materials bucket with SS quick attach mount. With chains on the front tires of my 110 or on my 5075M it moves mountains of snow!

This much I know... I can move and pile in less time, with less fuel than previously and that's exactly what I was hoping to achieve! :thumbsup:

AKfish

 

[soulasphil]

Nice place you got there , soulasphil .

Thanks, that's southern Brittany. The water you might be able to see in the background of some of the pictures is part of the Atlantic Ocean.

 

[JordanFTW]

For what you want, I would go with 60" to start. With that digging you will want a smaller bucket! Also you will not be using the replaceable edge with most tooth bars, just a heads up.

I have a 300cx, with a 60" HD bucket and 60" tooth bar. I also picked up a 72" bucket down the road for snow, I never use it.

 

[BigMike50]

For what you want, I would go with 60" to start. With that digging you will want a smaller bucket! Also you will not be using the replaceable edge with most tooth bars, just a heads up.

I have a 300cx, with a 60" HD bucket and 60" tooth bar. I also picked up a 72" bucket down the road for snow, I never use it.

does the cutting edge have to come off for it to fit? wont be a problem because of have air tools.

 

[AKfish]

does the cutting edge have to come off for it to fit? wont be a problem because of have air tools.

Yep... gotta remove the cutting edge. The toothbar won't fit over the top of the bucket edge with the cutting edge on there.

AKfish

 

[BigMike50]

Wound up ordering the 73in heavy duty bucket and 300cx. Decided that I will have sometimes to move piles of dirt distances And mulch work. Sure will be nice to not shovel dirt into my trailer anymore. I will have to pick up a tooth bar too. Who sells them cheap for a 73 inch bucket?

 

[BigMike50]

cheap 73inch toothbar options anyone. have loader on order

 

[greg_g]

If you're going to fill a six foot bucket with dirt, you're gonna need some counterweight. I suggest the JD ballast box, perhaps even the extensions. As for the toothbar, cheaper is not always better. Besides, 73" is an odd size. Again, I recommend JD - for quality as well as fit. It doesn't make sense to spend five figures on a tractor, then cheap out on a toothbar.

//greg//

 

[BigMike50]

If you're going to fill a six foot bucket with dirt, you're gonna need some counterweight. I suggest the JD ballast box, perhaps even the extensions. As for the toothbar, cheaper is not always better. Besides, 73" is an odd size. Again, I recommend JD - for quality as well as fit. It doesn't make sense to spend five figures on a tractor, then cheap out on a toothbar.

//greg//

ok. ill will contact them about the toothbar. I got the jd ballast box with extensions also. thank you Gregg. deere has there buckets listed as 61 inch and 73 inch for some reason. im sure its 72

 

[BigMike50]

If you're going to fill a six foot bucket with dirt, you're gonna need some counterweight. I suggest the JD ballast box, perhaps even the extensions. As for the toothbar, cheaper is not always better. Besides, 73" is an odd size. Again, I recommend JD - for quality as well as fit. It doesn't make sense to spend five figures on a tractor, then cheap out on a toothbar.

//greg//

greg thanks for the advise with the toothbar. I called the salesman and had him order the 73 inch toothbar for my bucket. With the discount, it is only gonna cost me 460 buckets. About the same price as an aftermarket one. Im glad you gave me this advise because for the price its a no brainer. Also, I filled the ballast box with extensions today and it took 11 bags of 80 pound concrete. So with the weight of the buck and quick hitch, it equals to about 1080 pounds. Heres a picture and video of the loader in action

 

[Rockgod]

Nice, that's exactly where the shovel should be, on the ground and out of the way.

BTW- How do you like that vertical exhaust? Did you do the install. I like it!

 

[Danscaper]

Very nice

 

[BigMike50]

Nice, that's exactly where the shovel should be, on the ground and out of the way.

BTW- How do you like that vertical exhaust? Did you do the install. I like it!

I like the vertical exhaust a lot. Ordered with tractor but dealer installed it.