Frontier 4 in 1 FEL Bucket

[jcmseven]

I think we need to be careful here. I am not against the 4 n 1 bucket, but our posters in this thread who have been most happy (so far) have been those with 4000 series machine and 400x loaders. As I mentioned earlier in the thread, I liked my 4 n 1 on my 400x loader also. I found the use of the third SCV cumbersome and would have preferred the Long setup for this but otherwise was most happy. The 400x loaders have the lift capacity to effectively handle the additional bucket weight without much impedance to effective lift, but I would like personally to hear from a few more folks with the JD 4 n 1 on a 3000 series machine with a 300cx loader to gain a further consensus of the effect on lift capacity. I think in this case the weight of the bucket assembly really dives into the effective lift capacity of the loader. This would be my main concern and actually was the primary reason I did not go back with a 4 n 1 on my newer tractor.

John M

 

[dirtworksequip]

jcmseven, I can't help you out with how the 3520 handles the 4 in 1 as far as lifting the extra weight because I have not done much digging or loading with it yet. There is a noticable difference in the weight between the HD bucket and the 4 n 1. What is the total weight difference between a HD bucket and a 4 n 1?

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[garth466]

I have the 4-in-1 on my 3120 and I don't seem to be lacking any lifting ability while using it as a loader. It is my first tractor and I've done a whole lot more grabbing than scooping, but what scooping I've done has been handled. I've gotten full loads of that sand/gravel stuff you put down before you pour a cement drive. I don't know what you call it, but I think it is pretty heavy, especially when it is wet (almost like cement itself).

I do have a complaint though. My bucket is bent and the more I think of it the more disappointed I am about it. Now that I found out the bent part (the part that opens) is almost $1400. I'm tyring to get them to fix it under warranty, but after reading it, the warranty is just a bunch of words that don't say anything. I believe it to be a flaw. The root (unnattached to the ground) that I was moving probably could have been picked up by hand.

We'll see how it goes. If they fix it, I will probably buy a grapple to use for heavier stump and branch burning. If they don't fix it, I'll just keep using it until I'm done with this project then try bend it back. There is maybe almost 2" of gap at the worst spot and nothing seems to leak through much, but I would want to have to load dry hour glass sand.

 

[KarlJD3520]

John's point is very well taken. There is about 876 lb max lift capacity and about 612 lb 59 in lift capacity difference between the 300CX and 400CX loaders in their specs and I would be using it on the 300CX. (see attached spread sheet).

I have the materials handling bucket which I think is the bucket in the listed weight for loaders but I can't find the weights of different buckets listed conveniently on the JD site. It appears the 60 in 4n1 is listed as 360 lbs and the bucket in the specs for the loader is 206, so a decrease in lifting capacity of about 150 lbs is what I am figuring. I could live with this with the chores I do.

Garth, when I was searching the posts on 4n1, I ran across your original thread on bending the Frontier bucket and this gave me the greatest pause in considering it. Bent The 4 in 1 Bucket

 

[garth466]

I guess I've gotten more upset about it especially after having enough people tell me it shouldn't have happened. If I was to do it over again, I would have gotten the grapple in addition to the regular bucket. I would have spent less than $1000 more than I did. If money wasn't a consideration, I'd have both. The 4-in-1 is handy just for loader work, which is what mine will probably end up being used exclusively for.

 

[dirtworksequip]

You have to take into consideration the forces that are at work. Any 4 n 1 no matter be it CUT or a big CAT loader is prone to getting sprung or bent. The hydraulic cylinders exert tremendous force. If you apply force unequally by grasping an object and closing the jaw its going to twist the bucket. Same applies to a GP bucket. Always try to make sure the force you are applying is as equal as you can get it, because you can also bend or spring the bucket or loader arms. This applys to all equipment. They are not indistructable pieces of steel. You have to know when to back off.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[jcmseven]

How true this is. I will say that my neighbor who has the WR Long bucket has had better luck with bowing and bending than did I with my JD bucket. He though also has had some bending but he abuses his equipment and has over 2200 hours now on his 4320. He says despite its appearance, he has noted no functional decline in his bucket.

John M

 

[garth466]

I know but it just seems like a piece of wood should break before it can bend such an expensive piece of metal.

 

[dirtworksequip]

Garth, I've seen the shanks and teeth snap off of Caterpiller excavator 10 yard buckets and 992 13 yard buckets. Sure they will dig in extreme conditions, but everything has its limits.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[garth466]

I've got a guy that knows how to fix it now. Of course he doesn't have time, but he said I could uses his tools (like that will be of use to me). Anyway, he made a point on how it was bent in the first place. Since he is a fabricator by fun and an engineer by trade, (besides owning a few commercial helicopters and chasing news worthy stories with his cameras) he pointed out that the interior metal that has a bend by design was bent before I bent the bucket. He said 80% of the strenth in that area was from that angle and since I dented it, the rest failed. It makes sense and at least I now know how to properly fix it.

I still don't think I would buy a 4-in-1 bucket to do what I am doing with it, but at least I won't have to spend almost $1400 to make this right again. I'll throw that at a grapple and use this bucket as a loader.

Since we're talking grapples, how do I get one for less than the $2700 I was quoted? The cheapest seems to be from a company in the far northeast of my state called Anbo.