Johnny Bucket Use on a 1500

[SuburbanSam]

I want to apologize in advance to my big brothers out there like FordLords and many other more experienced tractor men on the forum. I'm really about to show just how green I am with this post...

With all the things that a Johnny Bucket looks like it can do why don't more people use them?

Correct me if I'm wrong but it looks like you can do snow removal close to plow performance, and it seems that you can do some sort of ground digging etc. So could I effectively use a bucket jr insteead of a blade/plow to do my snow removal? And since the bucket has its own hydraulics could some comment on just how well I can really "dig" with one?

Now that I've been "tractorfied" I'd like to dig a modest hole (about 6" deep but 30'x30') in order to make a swingset area for my kid. Should I really expect to do this with the bucket attached to my SLT1554?

I'm sure that if I bought the 2500 series that this would have been no problem, but I didn't know at the time how cool a tractor would be here in DC? I thought it was only usefull for parking in reflecting ponds downtown (if anyone remembers that story from last year haha).

Does it use the PTO system at all for power?

Also do the 2500 tractors have the ability to take one of those hole digger rigs? I'll be building a sizeable deck pretty soon and unfortunately will have to rent gear to do this because I didn't buy a big enough Cub (I hear all the "I told you so's allready").

 

[CCinCT]

I'll answer some of those questions as best I can:

The JBjr is powered by an electric actuator that runs off the battery of the tractor. There is no hydraulics involved, and the PTO is not used at all. In most cases, the JBjr can be left mounted on the tractor along with the mower deck, and both can be used without affecting the other.

Snow removal: You can do snow removal with the JB, but it might be tedious work. You can't angle the bucket to one side or the other, so you'd have to do snow removal the same way a FEL would do it: scoop it up, move somewhere, dump it. The problem with that is that the JB can only lift so high, so you won't be able to pile the snow in big piles. So in the end, yes, you can use a JB for snow removal. But you could get the same end results with a plow, only the plow would probably be much quicker as long as we're not talking about more than 6" or so.

Digging: Yes, the JB can dig, but only a couple inches at a time. And that depends heavily on two things: the type of soil you're digging, and the ability of your tractor to push (combination of traction (weight, tires) and power). If you've got New England style soil, or hard packed with clay, then the JB will have a tough time digging. You might have to loosen the soil with a tiller first. The 1554 will probably require weights and ag tires. But then you'd have to wonder how the hydro will hold up to constant high stress in that situation.

2500: By "hole digger rigs", I'm assuming you mean a post hole digger? If so, then I'm not aware of any that are made for the 2500.

If you're looking to get a JB for your 1500, and want to know whether it'd be worth it, then you'll have to provide more info. Where I live, I can rent a skid loader for 1 day for about $450 including delivery and gas. With it I'd be able to dig that hole you mentioned in 1 day, as well as move any necessary gravel and whatnot. With a JB on my 2544, I'd probably be looking at 2 days at least. If that was the only project I foresaw for a few years, then I'd rent. If I was also planning on spreading mulch, doing other landscaping, etc., then the JB becomes the more economical choice. The other thing to consider is that if you have a JB, you have it 24/7. That means you don't have to plan so much for doing work, and can just fire it up when the opportunities arise.

 

[SuburbanSam]

CCinCT,

That clears up alot for me. It seems to me that at about $1000 the JB would be an ESSENTIAL attachment that I would use in some fashion all year round. I went to a riding mower specifically to ensure that I had the capability to do snow removal in the (no joke) 160ft driveway, thus I thought previously that the snowblower would be my most important attachment. The Snowblower at $1200 in the Mid-Atlantic region (DC) would be used about 4-6 times/year.

So my whole question is based on cost and utility. If I could do at least a decent job of snow removal with a JB that means that I only have to put out another $1000. If I can't, that means $1200 + $1000 as well as weight, tires, installation etc costs (a whole lot more explaining to Mrs Sam).

Also anyone have any detailed info on Tire useage? What's better Super Lugs or Power Lugs? What is ply and what should we be considering in trying to get max traction?

Is there any formula for equating wheel weight? Meaning: filling tires with antifreeze etc = 20lbs + Wheel weights with Sakrete = 40lbs = XXX amount more traction?

Do the other tires and weights tear up the lawn more so that you should have a mowing set of tires and a "working" set of tires? Is there so amount or weight range that we should stay under in order to mow the grass well and efficiently? Or is this whole thing trial/error and experience?

And again thanks for all the input!!!