"Can the 7308 handle a 68" bucket?"

[rod_rogers_ks]

\"Can the 7308 handle a 68\" bucket?\"

I am taking delivery on a TC33D on Friday. (new not used)

My dealer ordered a 68" bucket for my 7308 FEL.

The width of the bucket is 8" wider than my wheel base. He says that is the way he always orders.

His thinking is that I will be able to get closer to what I am trying to pick up with the extra width.

If I don't like it, he will swap it out but I am concerned.

The owner's manual doesn't list this size for my tractor.

I would appreciate everyone's thoughts on this.

Thanks in advance!
Rod

 

[MikePA]

Re: \"Can the 7308 handle a 68\" bucket?\"

I have a TC25D with a 60" bucket. The 68" bucket will weigh more and this additional weight of the bucket will reduce how much 'stuff' you can lift. This probably isn't a big deal but you might want to check what the weight difference there is between the buckets. I've never had a problem getting close to what I was trying to pick up, but I can see where this might be an advantage when plowing snow or moving dirt close to something like a building or a fence. Where I store my tractor, I just have enough width to handle the tractor, another 4 inches on each side would cause me a problem. There must be a reason why NH doesn't recommend the 68" bucket on the Class II tractors, my guess is that it's the additional weight of the bucket.

 

[RodgerF]

Re: \"Can the 7308 handle a 68\" bucket?\"

I agree with Mike. I'm using a 60" bucket with a TC 30/7308 loader. There are times the extra width would be nice but it's still quite workable and the extra weight of a bigger bucket would reduce the capacity of the loader.

Good luck with the new tractor.

Rodger

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

Re: \"Can the 7308 handle a 68\" bucket?\"

The 68" bucket is very popular for that tractor. Depending on the tires that are installed on the TC33, you would want the wider, 68" bucket to cover the width of the tires.
I would opt for the 68" bucket for snow removal. Imagine it is January and you are fighting 20-degree temperatures and a brisk Kansas wind, what bucket would you rather be using?

 

[computerboy]

Re: \"Can the 7308 handle a 68\" bucket?\"

I have a 68" bucket on my TC25D I got 2 years ago. My dealer recommended it. I have used it to move dirt and gravel without a problem. I do have to be careful not to get a "heaping" bucket of gravel. I also use it for snow removel and it works great. I just orders a toothbar for it yesterday to help clear fence lines.

Here are the weight specs for the buckets in my loader manual. It looks like a 25 lbs difference.

60" material - 211 lbs.
60" Heavy duty - 240 lbs.
68" material - 237 lbs.
68" heavy duty - 265 lbs.

 

[rod_rogers_ks]

Re: \"Can the 7308 handle a 68\" bucket?\"

Thanks Guys!

I feel better about the choice.

My neighbors are going to hate me when they find out I am hoping for snow this year! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Rod

 

[mswanson65]

Re: \"Can the 7308 handle a 68\" bucket?\"

I have the 68 inch heavy duty bucket on my TC33D. The dealer ordered it that way with the cutting edge and a hook welded on the top. It turned out to be a good choice and I would definately recommend the bigger bucket. Especially during snow removal it is nice to take a bigger bite!

 

[SacandagaBrad]

Re: \"Can the 7308 handle a 68\" bucket?\"

Another thing to consider is keeping your load centered. It is more a matter of the tractor handling the wider bucket than the loader itself. With a bucket wider than the footprint of the tractor, a heavy load to one side gets a lot of leverage against the tractor. The further out to the side, the easier it is to pop the opposite rear tire off the ground especially during an inside turn. With a pivoting front axle and rigid "suspension" through the rest of the tractor, this happens quick! I have a 54" bucket on my TC-24 with turf tires making it about 52" wide and I think it is a good match just covering the tires. If I heap one side of the bucket with stone, even with loaded tires and a blade on the back, I have to watch my step and keep the load low. Just make sure you have plenty of rear ballast when handling heavy loads such as crushed stone or wet soil.

Brad

 

[mswanson65]

Re: \"Can the 7308 handle a 68\" bucket?\"

That is a good point about a wider bucket being able to tip the tractor easier. With 300# of rear wheel weights and a backhoe on the back so far I have been able to avoid this problem.