Square or round loader bucket?

[Mud_Puppy]

Any advise or comments on rounded vs. square loader buckets? I am in the final stages of buying a Kubota 5030 tractor and down to deciding which bucket to get.

Don

 

[jhbusa]

I got the HD round back for my 5030. (it only cost me $262 more over the light bucket). Also, be sure to get the quick attach variety of HD bucket($17 more). The QA feature cost me ($270). I don't plan on taking off my bucket either. But, I may want some forks in a few months. I've had friends tell me they are awesome.

The bucket you buy will be of the QA variety or fixed but NOT both. It you decided to get a QA later, and you got the fixed model now, you will be forced to buy a new bucket for the QA feature.

I love my 5030 and the HD bucket. I picked the tractor up last Wednesday and started pushing over 6 - 8 inch trees a few days ago. I was also a bad boy by wrapping a chain around the bucket to yank them around on the ground (manual says don't do this). When I was through, paranoia set in. I could see a slight bend in the top bucket. My brother said ... nah. When I got home I put a roofing square on it. I can tell you that bucket didn't bend a micron! It was dead flat. I've since beefed up my draw bar for towing and pulling activity.

You will be VERY happy with the HD bucket. The QA can be debated but get the HD bucket.

 

[DDT]

I agree, I also got the QT HD bucket, of course I have several different buckets and pallet fork I use.

 

[Mud_Puppy]

Thanks for the feedback. Just what I wanted to hear. I also plan on getting a grapple at some point so am planing on the QA. Glad your happy with the 5030. Sounds like a great tractor.

 

[Jaeger]

I also recently bought a 5030 and had the same decision.

I was concerned the HD bucket was alot heavier (100+ lbs.) I talked to my dealer and found it was only 30 lbs. in weight but much stonger. My worry was cutting down on my lifting capacity.

I paid $200 and got the round HD bucket with quick attach.

If you look at my picture you'll see the HD round top tube, the capability for a bolt on cutting edge. (stronger at the edge than the regular) and the extra matterial on the sides at the bottom where all buckets wear the most.

I also had the dealer weld me 2 hooks 3/8" on the ends of the bucket where it is the strongest, and bolt on the ATI toothbar.

If you have the extra few $$ I think it's well worth it. Don't forget to get the quick attach. Very handy.. Good luck and let's see a pic when you get your new tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif...........J

 

[texbaylea]

I bought my L3130 with the HD bucket and QA. Definitly worth the extra cost. I already have added pallet forks, tree shear, grubbing bucket and have used all of them.

 

[Grassgod]

I will advise you to check out the Bogford Bodozer grapple....it is quick tach mounted & replaces the entire bucket not a bolt on....I love mine, best thing I own for my L3130 so far. It is xtremely heavy duty!

 

[Mud_Puppy]

Thanks all for the advise especially the photo showing differences. You guys make this forum great!
Grassgod - do you have a website for bogford - I can't find them on google. Thanks

 

[AndyMA]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( he bucket you buy will be of the QA variety or fixed but NOT both. It you decided to get a QA later, and you got the fixed model now, you will be forced to buy a new bucket for the QA feature.)</font>

While it is easier to get the QA when you buy the tractor, it is not essential. I bought my Ford 2120 in 1987 before Quick Attaches were common. A few years back an ATI QuickTach was added to loader and the tabs were cut off and the female part was welded to the bucket. No big deal. BTW I love the QA and now have it on 2 machines with a total of about 6 different front attachments that I share.

Andy

 

[jhbusa]

Jaeger,

I noticed your toothbar is bolted to the side of the bucket? I'm not crazy about drilling into the side of my new bucket. Is the cutting edge removed on your bucket (hard to tell). I don't see the line of bolts across the bottom front edge? If the cutting edge is off your bucket, don't you risk damaging the bucket?

I'm wanting a toothbar but would prefer it have a protective edge and bolt in place of the cutting edge using the same holes. I've seen a few around but can't remember where I saw them. Markharm requires removal of my protective edge and side drilling.

How do you keep your bucket so pretty? Did you put some of that fine Kubota paint on it after the welding job?

 

[have_blue]

Hi Don,

I've used both, and I like a square-ish bucket. In order to be versatile, the bottom of the bucket needs to be deep front-to-back. With loader buckets, wider is not necessarily better. I currently have a round-ish 72" bucket that is so wide I can not see the edges well. I would trade it for a 60" that is deeper front to back, and has a nice flat bottom. The front-to-back depth helps keep the bucket from making speed bumps (gouging) when you skim (skimming loose topsoil for example).

 

[Jaeger]

JHB,

I do not have the cutting edge on the bucket. It won't fit with the toothbar. I'm not concerned about damage to the front with the toothbar mounted. Not much that will fit in between the teeth to damage the area where the cutting edge goes.

Bolting through the side is OK. The toothbars are designed to hold onto both sides of the cutting edge. The 2 bolts just keep it tight, and make it easy to remove. I'd rather take 2 bolts off in the field than 8 or 10.

The hooks were painted after welding them on. The bucket was brand new and why it looks so nice. I took the pic at the dealer once it was assembled.

I doesn't look very clean any more. I've been moving big rocks, and stone around to control some drainage problems.

Have Blue, I think he was asking about the 2 buckets Kubota offers. There are structural upgrades with the "round" bucket. If you look at my pic you can see it is actually square at the rear. It has a curved inner back which I guess is why they call it the "round" bucket. They claim it is easier to fill while scooping due to the matterial rolloing over on top of itself, in stead of piling up in the back.

Hope all the posts help with your decision on your new bucket. Please let us know what you bought............J /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jmc]

Good question, Don. I went thru this when getting a L4330 and nobody seemed to really know the structural differences. Most people reasoned that for price difference, it seems like cheap insurance to go with the heavy one. I ended up with the regular duty bucket with the quick attach system. The QA plate really reinforces the top half of the regular duty bucket. I'm guessing it would take some serious abuse to damage any part of mine. But if I want all those holes along the edge, I'll have to drill my own.

John

 

[have_blue]

I was just showing my ignorance about Kubota. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I prefer the square back buckets. They are much easier to clean mud out of with a square shovel. Of course if the square back bucket is a light duty model then I would get the heavier round back version and make due. If you don't play with mud you don't have to worry about cleaning the bucket anyway.

 

[Jaeger]

Have Blue , No criticism intended. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif Everyone just trying to help a fellow TBN guy out!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ..........J