JD790 with a 4-N-1 bucket

[markw]

I am about to order my JD 790 with a model 70 loader and a 60" W.R. Long 4-N-1 bucket. The model 70 FEL lift capacity with the standard JD bucket is about 750lbs. The additional weight of the 4-N-1 bucket is approx 142lb, which the lowers the lift capacity to about 600lbs.

My question is: will I be limited with only 600 lbs? How much does a bucket of dirt, or gravel, weight? And most importantly, does anyone have experience with the W.R. Long bucket?

I am only a tractor hobbiest with minor needs but would like the capabilities of the 4-N-1 bucket. Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[MChalkley]

markw - There has been a lot of experience with the Long 4-in-1 buckets posted here, all of it positive, to my knowledge. I had one on my L3600 and L4310 Kubotas. Excellent product.

I'd suggest you do a search on Long and bucket. You'll find more info than you likely have time to read. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[PaulinSD]

I've got a 955/70A fel with a 54" bucket. I've never had any problems in the lifting area, I'll say it's a quarter yard bucket. I can load my 1 ton dump with a backhoe, that has a 1 yard bucket on it, 1 1/2 buckets is a full load. It takes 6 buckets with the 955 to load the same. A yard of gravel is about 3200#, or 800# per bucket full. I wouldn't give up the added weight of the 4x1 bucket, but then I use the FEL for mainly truck loading. I don't think it would hurt you loosing the added weight. But then again, you have a 60" bucket. Lets see what the rest of the guys come up with.

Paul

 

[radman]

With the addition of the 4 in 1 bucket, you have reduced your lifting capacity by 20%. For my needs this is too much of a sacrifice unless you really feel you need the 4 in 1.
I have a 66" bucket on my Kub 3710 which is rated for 1500lbs of lift. I also have a HD tooth bar (125- 150lbs) and a universal quick hitch (175lbs). With a heaped full bucket of dirt/sand it can still lift it although it is probably near max. The tooth bar does allow a slightly fuller load of dirt than the standard bucket. IMHO, 4 in 1 buckets are better on larger compacts, utility, or industrial tractors with more lift where the additional weight is not much of a sacrifice.

 

[HalseyGreen]

I also have a JD790 with the 70 loader, 54 inch bucket with tooth bar. It will pick up a full bucket of VA red clay with no problem, but if its wet, than its gotta be less than full. I'm not sure what why you need the 4in1, but if its picking up logs and brush, then its a good option because the regular bucket is useless and one with a tooth bar is just a little better. If its for the ability to grade with the bucket, I beleive that a back blade or box blade would work better (that's what I have), and they work great. I've thought about a 4in1 after reading the posts, but 142 pounds is a lot to give up on a small loader.

 

[Bill_in_MI]

MarkC is correct about the info on the 4 in 1 in the archives. But, for what it's worth, I have the Long HJ 2 on my KB2910. I feel like the trade off in lift capacity is well overcome by the utility of the bucket. I don't think I could do without it. On the other hand, I don't do a lot of dirt loading. If I do...I take a little smaller bite...but not that much smaller. Photo attached of some clean up work on stumps and logs. Never had to leave the seat. To me that's worth a few extra loading scoops when I need to move earth. Glad to answer any other questions.

 

[MChalkley]

Bill_in_MI - <font color=blue>I don't think I could do without it.</font color=blue>

I think your comment tells the story. It's easy to dismiss something you don't have as unnecessary, but it's only after you've used something a while that you can effectively judge its usefulness or lack thereof.

Put another way, while it may be true that "you don't miss what you never had", that doesn't mean you're better off without it. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[jdkid]

Hi ya's
i'll chime in here a few people say 4-N-1 buckets or quick hitchs will lower ya lifting .the 800Lb is that max loading not brakeout forse? now even if ya lost 200 Lb BUT could do all the things ya want to with this bucket , it only means a few more trips to move the dirt or cutting a bit more off a log to bring it home ...the smart one's would take there buckets off when they need extra power to pull out a stump ,thats where a good hook on a quick hitch comes in handy..in fact who lifts off the front of there bucket ??? everyone has there ideas some will say "go for it "others will say "no way" on this to me a grab/dozer blade/bucket for doing work around the home/yard would be realy handy even if i did lose a bit of lifting
catch ya
JD Kid

 

[blurrybill]

Bill,

I'm considering either a JD 4300 or 4310 with a 430 FEL. Won't be doing too much dirt work (I think) after house construction/landscaping, but will be moving lots of brush and a few logs. Logs will be mainly Eastern red cedar, but also a few oak logs. Sounds like your arrangement has worked out well. Can you grapple the logs shown in the attachment with the 4in1? I'll have LOTS of brush piles as I begin removing limbs from the cedars and others and would love to be able to easily pick them up. I had almost resigned myself to getting a quicktach bucket, add loader forks and "scoop" up the brush piles. Please comment from your experience. Also, how much does this bucket cost? Did you buy the Kubota loader arms and purchase the bucket separately? Any recommendations on bucket SIZE -- I'll be making a few trails, but want to keep them fairly small. Can you really use it as a dozer-type blade, as well? I am hoping to get a boxblade for ballast and utility; does one need both? I'm pretty green, so your info will help. Thanks.

Bill

 

[Keoke]

Mark, got a JD 970 with a Long 4n1 bucket. My tractor has a 440 instead of a 70 loader. Like Mark C. said, once you have one you wonder how you managed without one.
For all around cleanup work you can't beat a 4n1. For just loading dirt it has no significant value over a std bucket. And maybe a slight downsize (reduced capacity).
For picking up the small piles of dirt it works super, and keeps shovel work down. You can put on a tooth bar and still use the back side of the bucket edge for back dragging. This is an advantage over the std bucket which must have the toothbar removed for fine back dragging. Also, it make a good bulldozer type blade as well.
Mark, I am not a pro at this so take my remarks with more then a grain of salt.

george