Bucket choice for FEL

Anonymous Poster · Sep 25, 2001

I am purchasing a 4300 soon with the 430 FEL. Does it come standard with a heavy duty bucket or is this an upgrade option? Please let me know how your std bucket holds up. I have a lot of gravel to move and want to make sure it will stand up to the rocks. Please let me know your experiences.

JerryT · Sep 26, 2001

My 4400 came with a standard bucket. I enquired about the heavy duty and it was only about $100.00 more but dealer had none in stock and I did not want to wait 3 weeks. Standard bucket is OK, bottom lip (cutting edge) has held up well but the rest of the bucket is a little beat up (170 hrs). Get the heavy duty now its alot cheaper than replacing it later.

gmason · Sep 26, 2001

I can't speak of the JD, but the NH STD bucket is good for leaves and sand, not dirt, rocks, stumps, logs...
My first day with mine I was hand loading firewood into the bucket and when a few of the pieces hit the back of the bucket it dimpled it. And I wasn't throwing these from just a few feet. I repleced it right away with the HD bucket which doesn't look like it's any heavier guage, but just harder steel.
I hit it all the time and it looks like it just came off the truck!
gary

kevinro · Sep 26, 2001

I had a standard duty bucket for a week while my HD bucket was on order. I moved a lot of rock and gravel with it. It did OK, but I did manage to bend the top lip a little while back blading a road. Then they came out and installed my heavy duty bucket. It is a much sturdier construction. Back blades without any problem at all. In my opinion, a good $100 spent.

Kevin