Difference in 4 in 1 Buckets

eee · Nov 30, 2004

I have the JD 4 in 1 and from what I can see in the pictures the " Long" looks like a better/heavier unit to me.

Sadler · Nov 30, 2004

Gary, here's the photo that is on the JD website of their 72" four in one. Looks like it has round tube across the top like the one I took the picture of. Maybe yours is a newer version.

Sadler · Nov 30, 2004

Roughcut--that's what the dealer told me, but I'm not sure he really knew. You're right though, the photos do look that way. My guess is either would be plenty good enough for the job. I do love the toothbar; it extends the reach and pickup capability a fair amount, and should help with hard packed piles of clay I've got to move next to a stream we have.

bebster · Dec 1, 2004

Sadler, I have a JD 4410 with a 5' wide JD 4-n-1 bucket. It's plenty heavy duty. That's ideal for my tractor and I wouldn't get a wider one for 2 reasons -- 1. you limit your ability to pass thru tight spaces and 2. you add too much more weight. If find that when I fill the bucket with sand, I'm pretty much loaded down weight-wise. A wider bucket would weigh more itself and I might not be able to carry anymore (maybe even less due to weight of the bucket). So you might want to take this into consideration in your decisions.
BTW - I don't find the 3rd control level mounted where JD usually mounts them inconvenient -- you're not typically turning the steering wheel when operating the clamshell control so it's not really an issue I've found since I can use both hands for the bucket controls.

eee · Dec 1, 2004

<font color="blue"> that's what the dealer told me, but I'm not sure he really knew. You're right though, the photos do look that way </font>

I have had to use the sledge hammer to bring the sides of mine make into shape,although the parts that bend has not affected the performance of the bucket,I am going to eventually weld some reinforcment on the bucket and beef the sides up.

Dave4410 · Dec 1, 2004

The bowing of the bucket has always been a problem with 4 in 1s. You can help to avert it by doing your stumping with the ends of the bucket. When the inevitable bow shows up though, I've fixed it by lowering the bucket on to a yet-to-be-pulled stump and raising and dropping it until the bow goes away. Any reinforcement you add to prevent bowing will only make the process of un-bowing more difficult. The best practice would be to use a GP bucket for everyday clearing and excavating and save your 4-in-1 for moving and loading brush and debris piles only.

eee · Dec 1, 2004

<font color="blue"> You can help to avert it by doing your stumping with the ends of the bucket. </font>

I had not been "stumping". I forget how or when,but I just remember I have had to straighten it out a few times.
I bet if I beefed it up good enough you would not have to worry about bending it,if I did I could just get my wife a bigger sledge hammer.

Dave4410 · Dec 1, 2004

There you go. Or you could buy your wife a pitch fork & shovel and polish the inside of the 4in1 whilst she pitches and shovels. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif