4 in 1 bucket ?

JMA375HH · Mar 6, 2005

Still trying to make up my mind on what Tractor to go with. its between the 33da and the 35da. was going to go with the 30 but dont want to find i bought to small. again clearing property, small tree stumps 2'' to 20'' diam. 12'' to 18'' clay then Sand. grading gravle driveway. moving top soil, brush. ect. anyway i see these 4 in 1 buckets my ? is are they as good as they look and if so what one should i go with and price, ballpark would be nice. I had some good feed back on my first post but find my self creeping up the hp ladder and i got to make up my mind a some point here. like i said my local dealer said he has a 33da coming in this next week. going to talk to him about 35da and ask about 4in1 bucket. but if anyone out there has any more input that would be great. thanks again John /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

hazmat · Mar 6, 2005

If you want a 4 in 1, I'd definitely recommend the Class III Boomers. Attachments such as a 4 in 1 or grapple can weigh a lot more than the standard bucket. The bigger machines have lift capacity to spare.

If I remember right, there isn't much diffenence in MSRP between the TC33 and TC35. Though most will agree that ther TC35 is a little underpowered for it's size & will recommend the TC40 or TC45 if you plan to do PTO intensive work - mowing tilling etc.. It's about $2,000 to make each step...

MikePA · Mar 6, 2005

To echo what hazmat said, the additional weight of the 4 in 1 bucket reduces the lifting capacity of the loader by a corresponding amount. I also agree that a Class III (TC35, TC40, etc.) is the better choice.

jinman · Mar 6, 2005

I think I'll "chime in" with my recommendation that you go with the Class III Boomer, but I'm definitely going to try to talk you out of a 4-n-1 bucket. I think a normal bucket with a toothbar and a grapple will do everything you really want to do with your tractor. I'd even suggest a 60 in. bucket for the TC35. That will give you lots of digging power. I've always found that digging with the 72" bucket can be a pain when all you want to do is dig around a stump. Remember, it's a whole lot easier to push a 60" bucket into the ground than it is to do the same with that 72" bucket.

For your grapple function of your 4-n-1, just buy a grapple instead. You can get a grapple, 60 in. HD bucket, and a toothbar installed for much less than a quality 4-n-1 setup.

For the dozer blade function of the 4-n-1, just use your boxblade in reverse for use your regular FEL bucket. You are never going to make that TC35 into a dozer by using a 4-n-1 bucket.

These are just my personal opinions and I'm sure there are others who may differ with me. In the end, weigh all the arguements for and against and go with your gut feeling. If you can't live without the 4-n-1, by all means get one. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

SCDolphin · Mar 6, 2005

Is there a web page that lists grapples??

HDS

hazmat · Mar 6, 2005

After much research - I think this manufacturer has the best "dedicated" grapples for compact tractors. Some of the skid steer versions are too heavy...

anbo manufacturing

Dad got a 56" light duty for his TC40. I haven't run it yet...

The other option is an add on grapple - try a search here - plenty of folks have gone that route.

jinman · Mar 7, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Is there a web page that lists grapples? )</font>

There are several websites offering grapples. The question becomes what type best suits your needs and what your budget can handle. Hazmat has listed Anbo and there are lots of others. One TBN advertiser is also a very good source for grapples, quick attach adapters, and bucket attachments:

ATI Attachments

Another source is Piranha in North Carolina:

Piranha Grapples

For a DIY job, I like Andy Tatro who sells a grapple shipped to your door for under $500 and you install it yourself. Here is a thread by PineRidge who installed a modified grapple from Andy.
DIY Grapple

...and the same guy made my grapple:

DIY Grapple 2

If you are still looking after all this, just do a search on TBN as Hazmat suggested or go to ebay and do a search there just using the word "grapple." There seem to be endless variations, but I can attest that they really raise your tractor's productivity. Just make sure you have enough tractor to handle the weight of a grapple with the extra big loads you will be able to carry. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

DSP348 · Mar 7, 2005

Try http://www.borgford.com/ for another grapple mfg.

JMA375HH · Mar 7, 2005

Thanks Jim and everyone for more great info. going to call my dealer and get some pricing on tc40da with all the toys i want. also wife wants me to get going and get my chors done.

Dont get me wrong I wear the Pants in this Family. she just picks them out for me. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
thanks again will report back later.
John.