W.R. Long 4-in-1

[Bill_in_MI]

I am new here, but like what I see in searching the postings. I just ordered a B2910 with a 4-in-1 (W.R. Long) bucket. After reading the threads on this topic I see that there is a difference in models: HJ-1 and HJ-2. When I inquired directly with Long's about the bucket appropriate for my loader (LA402) they directed me to the HJ-2, 60in. I saw a post that suggested that this might be "lighter weight" than the HJ-1. I am hoping this does not mean "flimsier." Given the relatively modest size of the tractor, I don't plan on doing anything to beat it to death, but I would like the bucket to be capable of my occasional lapses in good judgement. I am now worried that I may not have gone with the right bucket. If anyone has experience here I would appreciate it. It may not be too late to change. Thanks.

Bill S.

 

[MChalkley]

Bill - The HJ-II is the correct bucket for your tractor. The B-series loader would have a very difficult even lifting a 60" HJ-I, I suspect. It's a lighter duty bucket, it's true, but it's still the right one for your tractor. I have the HJ-I on my L4310HST, and a friend of mine has the HJ-II on his L2250. They're both excellent products.

MarkC

 

[Bill_in_MI]

Mark, Thanks. I have been reading of your experiece with the 4-in-1. I did call back the folks at Long and they told me, as you did, that the HJ-1 would be a bit much for my tractor. I'm looking forward to getting the "-2" in service. I will post my opinions. I'll be installing myself, so that alone should be worth a story.

Bill S

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: W.R. Long 4-in-1 \"new model\"

Hi Bill,

After reading Mark's (and other's) posts about the Long buckets, I had similar questions concerning models/sizes.

I called Long's, and spoke with "Vance", who sounded like he knew his stuff. He remembered Mark, and that there had been some problems with the valve-kit, as supplied by Long (perhaps this related to "chatter"? My memory is less-than-perfect). He said they had made "changes" to take care of the problem.

He told me of a "new model", the UJ-2 (as opposed to either HJ ), which had several "improvements" also. The jaws open a little wider than the "H" models, and the positioning/shielding of the bucket cylinder has been changed, I believe.

I simplified my question to "What would you put on this rig if it were yours?". (JD 4700/460 loader-2325 lb. max. cap.)

He answered "the UJ2".

So,... I have a UJ2-72 on order...weight given to me as 490(+/-) lbs. for this 6' size. Capacity- (+/-) 11 cu. ft. "heaped". Heaped "just-a-little-more" with wet gravel, or some such heavy material, this should just about make max. use of my loader's capability...hopefully, I would exercise a little restraint here!

I am not familiar with your tractor size, and don't know if there would be an appropriate "J" model for it.

Anyway, I thought I'd add this recent (within the last few weeks) info to the discussion.

Price: UJ2-72 - $1493
Selector-valve kit (for JD 460) - $375
TB72 toothbar - $262
Freight to Salem, Oregon - $255

Total (hands over eyes) - $2385 !!
(...at least my JD dealer threw in the installation!)

Hope this is useful to someone

Larry

 

[Bill_in_MI]

Re: W.R. Long 4-in-1 \"new model\"

Larry,
Thanks for sharing your research and info. The JD tractor and loader combo you have looks to have more muscle than the B2910/402 loader I (almost) have. (Delivery next week)
A 500lb bucket would cut substantially into my lift capacity--about half what you have. So, looks like I do have the best fit, as Mark suggested. It also will be a few hundred bucks less, but I will install myself. I don't want to wait the extra couple of weeks for the bucket to arrive before my tractor is delivered. Nor do I want to take it back in the shop later. I've been tinkering with my current tractor for 15+ years, so I am assuming (dangerous) that I can do it. In fact, I'd prefer to if I can. Maybe someone will commemt on their experience with installation.

I'll give an account of my experience when all is done.

Thanks again,
Bill

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: W.R. Long 4-in-1 \"new model\"

Bill,

My tractor is in the "almost-have" category also.

It's 10 miles qway at the dealer, being fitted with new tires, wheels, backhoe, etc. .. so the wait for the Long bucket/installation won't change the timetable too much.

I'm envious of your abilities re. working on it yourself. But my background doesn't include experince in welding or hydraulics, so I think I'd better step-aside for the "pros".

But I've found that even the dealers/service people can learn a lot from what is shared on this list. Sometimes I'm surprised to find myself trying to explain something TO THEM, instead of the other way around. Thanks to the teachers here @ Tractorbynet, I think I get it right at least some-of-the-time.

Anyway, aint we got fun? Waiting for a new tractor beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick any day, huh?

Good luck,

Larry

 

[patton]

4-in-1 question

I've got one more 4 in one question:

How do you plumb in the valve? On the JD, the bucket roll lines feed into hard tubing at the top of the loader frame. These tubes run down the right side, across the torque tube and partially up the left side. The tubing has a tee on the right side of the loader for the right cylinder and a connection to a hose on the left side.

If I retain the tubing, the valve would have to be before the fluid hits the tubing. Is that what others have done? That would somewhat mess up the nice job JD has done in bundling the hoses with tubing.

Pat

 

[Bill_in_MI]

Re: 4-in-1 question

Pat,
Wish I had the darned digital camera I had to return to the dealer. Hope to get it next week, then I can post a couple of photos of the set up. Basically, the electric valve is inserted between the loader valve and the beginning of the steel tubing...on my Kubota, anyway. From what you describe, the layout is similar. From the electric valve, two new rubber hoses are run frontward to the cylinders for opening and closing the 4in1. They can be neatly tied to the loader frame with the other steel tubing. Yes, this does disturb the nice neat sisngle bundle of short hoses that formerly ran from the tubing to the loader valve. But, they can be managed to look o.k. My dealer used the same hoses that were on the valve and they are just a bit long...had to coil them to fit them up. I'll probably replace them with shorter ones someday soon, I hope. I'll probably post them in the photos section as a new post...4 in 1 photos or something similar.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Too much knowledge...

Do a search on 4 in 1 back a couple of months, there was a long thread that I downloaded for future use.

Geez you GUYS! There was a couple of folks going back and forth on regenerative circuits vs non regenerative circuits...if you guys ever lose your day jobs, consider teaching a night class in fluid hydraulics at the local community college!

The only problem with the knowledge shared on this board is that it is from guys that are spread all over the country, kind of hard to convince them to come by Saturday afternoon when you are in Colorado and they are probably in Pennsylvania or some place! /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Bravo again to all of you

del

 

[patton]

Re: Too much knowledge...

I would would really appreciate if you could take those pictures when you get a chance. I'd like to see how other are doing it. I looked at all of the archives, but didn't find any pictures of the valve block, even with all the discussion about the valve chattering.

I'm lucky this is going on a Deere and I don't have to worry about the regen problem. The deere #2 SCV valve is only regen after a second detent is passed. I do see the logic behind the regen valve since I have been running a mini-ex all day, and dumping the bucket seemed to take forever. Kind of like waiting for your CPU to catch up, it's really not much wasted time, but something in us abhors putting ourselves in a wait state until a machine completes a task.

I did see Rich's pictures with the 1" pins welded on the bucket- I've already got them turned and ready to weld on.

Thanks again,
Pat