Just bought my first tractor: 1989 Kubota L4150

[sticknrudder]

That's a really great point. I think there's no question that SSQA is the best option. Just need to find the right parts and see if I can justify the expense.

 

[old and tired]

If you are going to be using tongs, why don't you just mount bolt on hooks to the backside of your bucket?

Bolt-On Hooks - BoltOnHooks LLC

Bolt-On Hooks and other accessories for compact tractors.

www.boltonhooks.com

 

[sticknrudder]

That's a good idea. I actually just ordered some of those earlier this morning with the idea of doing that very thing. I could then get a cheap set of bolt-on forks for the times that I might be moving a lot of brush or need to lift a pallet or carry long lumber, etc.

 

[PaulL]

If you are going to be using tongs, why don't you just mount bolt on hooks to the backside of your bucket?

Bolt-On Hooks - BoltOnHooks LLC

Bolt-On Hooks and other accessories for compact tractors.

www.boltonhooks.com

The reason I'd do it with an SSQA plate is just weight. @sticknrudder seems concerned about loss of lift capacity with SSQA. Removing the bucket and making a dedicated lifting plate will offset any theoretical loss from the SSQA adaptor, and also putting it on a post will give a bit more lift height.

It's all based on the assumption that they're planning on lifting close to the max the FEL will lift, and that the weight difference matters.

As I noted, I had plans to do this myself, but it turns out that my tractor already lifts most things I want to lift, and the things it doesn't, the difference isn't the few kg I'd save by taking the bucket off - if it won't lift it, it generally isn't even close to lifting it.

 

[fried1765]

PaulL, you make some great points. The weight and changing the pivot point was my main concern. But you helped me see another angle. While I do intend to use the loader for moving dirt, mulch and rocks at times, at a 2,000 capacity on the loader I probably won’t be at much risk maxing it out using a bucket or forks. Where my concern for capacity has been is moving logs which I would like to be able to lift as large of hardwood logs as I possibly can onto my sawmill. I realize I will quickly be limited in this area but don’t want to further limit myself. I’ve realized that probably my best bet for moving logs is lifting tongs, of which I have purchased a pair. What I got to thinking is if I put the hooks for the tongs close to the pins on either the forks or the bucket, I should have pretty close to maximum lifting capacity and whether or not I have SSQA should be fairly negligible. Is this a correct assessment?

PoTreeBoy, you summarized my options very well I think. I know nothing about Kubota quick attach so you‘ve given me an idea I may need to look into. I really only plan to use a bucket and forks but I can definitely see the value in having a quick attach method. Just trying to weigh it against the cost. The other option I began thinking about is maybe a set of bolt on bucket forks. I know they’re far from ideal, but might be a way to achieve most of my objectives at the lowest cost. I’m sure I will wish I had a real set of forks though.

Thanks everyone for helping me work through this. It’s all new to me so I am learning a lot and I appreciate your help with that.

You really should eliminate the "bolt on bucket forks" from consideration.
Don't waste your money....and don't bend your bucket!
All bolt on forks are junk!

 

[old and tired]

The reason I'd do it with an SSQA plate is just weight....

Only reason I mention bolt on hooks was that the OP was needing to: "...see if I can justify the expense..."

That plus he doesn't lose the use of the bucket in the mean time.