Loader New Tractor, New Member Loader questions

[stumpjumper47]

Hello to all,

Just got a new tractor, not my first but the first with a loader. I need to be able to lift things and move trailers around. Have been reading on installing bucket hooks and a receiver tube.

First, does my bucket need reinforcing on top as with some I have seen?

Would I be better off putting the receiver tube on the hay spear for trailer moving due to better visibility.

Also, the tractor has a bare floor pan where as the model above it had a rubber floor mat. Any suggestions as to the best way and rubber product to cut one to fit?

Been reading post on here and figure I am in the right place for advise.

Thanks,

Jimmy

 

[murphy1244]

Welcome to TBN.:tractor:

 

[johnk]

Nice tractor. Get famiiar with it and you'll figure out what mods to make. No hurry. Enjoy the FEL and tractor and the rest will come naturally.

 

[Grandad4]

First of all, welcome! Here are my thoughts... I'm sure others will add theirs as well.

We have hooks at the sides of the buckets on both tractors with loaders. Even on the little BX the bucket is plenty strong and it's about impossible to harm it with anything you can lift. On the larger tractor, an L4610 with the LA852 loader - very close in size and power to your new MX4700 - we've lifted some heavy loads from the hooks. Heaviest load was a complete third axle assembly, wheels and all, from an old Mack dump truck when we converted it from a trouble-prone tri-axle to a tandem. That was at least 2,000 lbs. that the hooks and bucket carried easily.

But there's one big trick to using the side mounted hooks: never, ever lift or pull from just one side. Always rig the chain first to each side and then to the load from the center so there's an even pull to both sides. If you want to avoid the inconvenience of that, you can mount a center hook, but you would definitely want to reinforce the lip of the bucket so it won't bend with any kind of load.

We have a 3 point mounted receiver setup, so I can't say much about how to mount a trailer ball on the front. Front mount is probably handy for jockeying trailers around, but we prefer the rear because the tractor usually goes some distance with the trailers at our place.

You might be able to order the floor cover as a separate item through the dealer, but it's probably not cheap. Seems to me the spray on truck bed liner stuff would work about as well as anything.

You'll enjoy that new MX. Great tractor!

 

[gwdixon]

The bucket looks ready for grab hooks. Put them on the angle iron that is used for the QH frame. I'd put on three. One in the middle and one each in line with the boom arms. As a bonus you could put a hook on the back of the bucket for increased leverage.

View attachment 321648

The two ends on either side of the QH frame is too lightweight and will tend to cause the tractor to tip if one of the end hooks is used for lifting. It is too easy to bend the top edge since it is not supported underneath. A short piece of pipe helps but that is not the best area to mount a hook.

 

[crazyal]

Congrats on the 4700. Instead of a rubber mat how about using the spray (or roll on) truck bed liner. I used some rattle can stuff for my step where the paint was wearing off and it's held up great. The stuff that you roll or brush on looks like it's thicker and more durable than the spray can style. Just clean the floor good, tape off what you don't want to paint, scuff the paint up a little and you're ready to apply. Just carefully pull the tape off before it dries.

 

[Don87]

I agree with Grandad4 and crazyal, use the spray or roll-on bedliner stuff on your steps.

I have rubber floormats on mine. Water and garbage collect underneath of them.............that promotes rust.

 

[stumpjumper47]

Thank you all for your replies.
I have not done much with the tractor as of yet but it is a lot more tractor than I had.

Any thoughts to my thinking of putting a receiver hitch on the hay spear? if needed the forks unbolt. Or would you guys suggest putting it on the bucket?

My Best,

Jimmy

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Welcome. Congratulations! :thumbsup: I'm a bit late telling you to use the pick up truck bedliner for the floor. I've heard OKs and no OKs on the spray clogging in the can but quicker, easier and cheaper than the paint/roll on kit which I buy since I can use the remaining product for steps and other places that I want to not be slick.
Advance Auto Parts always has some kind of discount coupon like $25 off of a $75 purchase and I buy it using the coupon so usually makes it around $50 for a gallon. Search SlickDeals for discount coupon codes. I don't think it can be shipped so will need a local Advance to order from on line then go pick it up.

 

[KYDan]

Hello to all,

Just got a new tractor, not my first but the first with a loader. I need to be able to lift things and move trailers around. Have been reading on installing bucket hooks and a receiver tube.

First, does my bucket need reinforcing on top as with some I have seen?

Would I be better off putting the receiver tube on the hay spear for trailer moving due to better visibility.

Also, the tractor has a bare floor pan where as the model above it had a rubber floor mat. Any suggestions as to the best way and rubber product to cut one to fit?

Been reading post on here and figure I am in the right place for advise.

Thanks,

Jimmy

I found it is much easier for me to move things around with the 3 Point hitch trailer mover. I bought it at TSC and sprayed it with Kubota Orange Paint. It has a built in receiver tube and I use one of the 3 size ball configurations. It also has a 5th wheel ball mounted on the top of the post. It is much easier to see the hitch and line up the receiver and the ball than on the loader. It is much faster for me. The bedliner stuff works good. I had the rubber mats on my L2900 and didn't care for them. Once the little rubber spikes wear and tear out the mat tends to slide around and it does collect moisture and crud underneath it. Echoing other posters center your load in the bucket. If you are doing any dirt work a toothbar is a great investment.