Kubota L3400 bucket size

[witters33]

Hi, Well here is my first post. I just purchased a 2010 L3400 with a LA463 front loader. My dealer gave me the option of a 72" or 66" bucket. The machine that I test drove had a 72" and it looked like the perfect size so I decided on that bucket. I have not yet received my tractor and could still change. Will the tractor handle the 72" bucket, or do you recomend the 66"? I will be using the tractor on my 6 acre property mainly for snow removal, landscaping and brush removal. Hopefully this tractor will work out well, I traded in my Ford 1500 and Ford 4400 industrial tractor and i hope that this new one will take there places. I plan on using a 60 finish mower, i already have a 78" boxscraper so it will be interesting to see if it will handle it. I got the rear tires loaded so that may help.
Thanks
Eric

 

[westbrooklawn]

I just traded my 2005 L3400 gear tractor for a new L3400 HST. The old tractor had the smaller bucket and the new one has the 6" wider bucket. I haven't had a chance to use the new bucket yet, but based on my experience with the L3400, I don't see any problem with it having enough power to handle the new bucket. I know the wider bucket will be much better for snow removal. I would stick with the larger bucket if I were you.

 

[LD1]

The bucket itself wont weigh that much more. So do problems there obviously. Unless you have tight areas or stalls to get into, I don't see why anyone would want the smaller bucket. Just becase it can haul more, doesn't mean you have to. With a full load of damp sand/dirt, it will be very light in the rears. But on the heavy stuff, you don't have to scoop a full load. For the lighter stuff like mulch and snow, you'll wish it was bigger.

You may want to consider also getting a 6' backblade for the snow removal. Unlike a boxblade, they can be angled, and is a lot more efficcient than a loader. They can also be had for around 100 bucks here because a lot of old 8n's had them.

 

[magicheater]

I personally prefer a smaller bucket except for in the winter. A smaller bucket allows easier digging. A wider bucket restricts your visibility. Seldom have I seen anyone get a full bucket in one pass unless they are digging in a loose sandpile or equivalent. If all you are going to do is load loose material, by all means get the biggest bucket you can. Thinking outside the box, a loader can be used in many ways as many here can attest to. When I got my B7800 w/LA402 loader I opted for the 54" bucket. It will probably seldom be used and sold with the tractor when that time comes. I got a mangled up 5' bucket also to alter with a few specific uses in mind. But I prefer to keep my 4' Loader Buddy on for the majority of the time as it allows a more surgical approach to what ever material I am encountering. I garden, work in the woods, and use my tractors often in my everyday work-life. For me I would rather have a "swiss army knife" on my loader instead of changing attachments for every chore.

 

[westbrooklawn]

Some clarification on my original post above... the bucket on my original LA463 was 60"... the new one is the wider 66" bucket. I was not aware a 72" bucket was an option on the LA463... I think it can handle it OK, but my preference would be the 66" bucket.

 

[Redbug]

Eric, Just wondering...since I don't have that model of tractor...how wide is the tractor measured from the outsides of the back tires?

I would opt for a bucket as wide as the tractor is wide. Mine is 72 inches, and I got a 72 inch bucket. My figuring is if you are back dragging, etc., your bucket will cover over your tire tracks. Kinda like getting a box blade. There probably is not enough difference in weight between the bucket sizes to worry about.