In praise of the 4-in-1 bucket.

[IslandTractor]

WR Long has a 4n1 bucket (HJ2L54) that weighs 255lbs which is not all that much more than a standard bucket. I'd imagine you'd lose less than 100lbs of lift compared to the stock bucket. They have a slightly heavier version in a 60 inch size that does weight about a hundred more pounds which starts getting iffy.

 

[alchemysa]

Not to be overly sensitive, but I disagree that the B3030 is too small for a 4-in-1. See these pics Kubota

Wow, that 'long log' pic should put to rest any concerns about the lifting power of the 3030. For a 4-in-1 that looks like a pretty big capacity bucket too.

 

[Jethro]

Alchemysa, I am so envious of your set up. That is a very versatile configuration.

 

[MadReferee]

Now here's a REAL 4-in-1 setup in action.

 

[alchemysa]

Alchemysa, I am so envious of your set up. That is a very versatile configuration.

Jethro, I don't want to preen too much but yes it is a fantastic set-up. I'm so lucky this bucket came with the tractor. For the type of work I've been doing, (scrub clearing, and cleaning up a demolished shack) its been a godsend. But if you are really keen to have something like it, the ATI grapple that cart99 mentioned looks like a pretty good attachment, although i would probaby prefer a wide serrated bar coming down to meet the front edge of the bucket rather than 3 big spikes. ATI Corporation - Grapple Kit Images I'd imagine someone who's handy with an angle grinder and a welder could make something like that fairly easily. The extra hydraulics might be a bit tricky but it really doesn't need to be all that powerful to grip things.

 

[KubotaOne]

Wow, that 'long log' pic should put to rest any concerns about the lifting power of the 3030. For a 4-in-1 that looks like a pretty big capacity bucket too.

Actually, I had the bucket cut back after those photos were taken. My bucket was made from a larger model, and the ends were cut off to make it a 54". For some insane reason, they left the front really long. Here's a pic of it now.

 

[Bill_in_MI]

I have the Long HJ2 on my B2910....several years now. Can't imagine life without it now. It does make you give up some lifting capacity in the bucket, so if you primarily move dirt/rocks it may not be the best choice. I would gladly make two trips instead of one and keep the versatility of the 4 in 1. ( I can put my old regular bucket back on if I really have a lot of loading of earth to do.) I do have these recommendations, however. Put 4 ply tires on the front so you can pump up the air pressure higher than what 2 ply tires are rated for. Have the rear tires filled. Some kind of implement on the 3 pt also will help balance things as well.

Regards,

 

[IslandTractor]

I disagree that the B3030 is too small for a 4-in-1.

I agree with KubotaOne. However, you need to be careful about what 4n1 bucket you put on the smaller CUTs. The LA40x has plenty of power to handle a 350lb 4n1 replacing the roughly 200lb standard bucket. The switch would only drop your lift capacity by 150lbs so there would still be lots of usable lift reserve. Also, as another poster pointed out, a 4n1 "grapples" objects closer to the pivot pins so lifting power is helped that way too. Now, if you were to buy a skid steer grade 4n1 that weighs in at 650-700lbs, that is a different matter and obviously does not make sense for a B series tractor.

Where did you get your 4n1 KubotaOne? I notice it is orange, is it from Kubota? ATI and WRLong make lighter weight 4n1s which are just as strong as the original/standard CUT buckets. JD makes one too for less money. There is at least one other less expensive option, the PowerTrac T12 4n1, but you'd have to spend some bucks adding QA hardware to that.