Loader bucket for extra ballast, hauling wood etc.

[Marky]

It doesn't work, or not very well!
This is from experience.
Most three point setups will not go down low enough to attach to a bucket sitting on the ground.
You would need at least top (of the top and tilt) to hook it up.
Lengthening the top link manually might work to get the top lip hooked up but it's going to be a huge pain to roll it back up to get the latches to latch.

Get a good counter weight with a hitch, and tow a small trailer or wagon with the extra implements on it.

Thanks Wolfman…. I figured it was not easy or people would be doing it. I will use it as is until I can determine what my best option is. Most likely it will be a carryall. I think I will be ok for ballast with my tires loaded.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Wheel ballast does not do the same thing as a three point ballast box.
Wheel ballast is for traction and COG weight.
Three point ballast makes the loader capacity and load handling better.
A grapple works way better with three point ballast weight!

 

[Marky]

Wheel ballast does not do the same thing as a three point ballast box.
Wheel ballast is for traction and COG weight.
Three point ballast makes the loader capacity and load handling better.
A grapple works way better with three point ballast weight!

Yeah, I know how it works. I’m not going to be doing anything heavy enough to require a ballast box.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

I’m wondering if I can use a 3pt to SSQA adapter to carry my loader bucket on the rear while using My grapple? That way I can keep it with the tractor, use it to haul wood, for extra ballast etc.. It’s a 60in bucket. Anybody done it?

It'll work great, BUT you'll want Top&Tilt to hook it to the 3pt on uneven ground, and to tilt the bucket forward when loading the first third with wood (it's really loud otherwise, and it's much easier to load when tilted down), and tilt it back loading the remaining 2/3.

Try it a few times without T&T (it'll work like you're picturing it working) and you'll see why I suggest T&T (I'm not trying to spend your money needlessly).

Unloaded you'll get where you're going easily, far easier than with weight on the back, loaded both ends (bring a log back in the grapple and cut it up at the woodpile) your tractor will balance fantastically. Tight turns are a little challenging, but hills are much, much easier.

Also consider 4" rear wheel spacers on each side--what a game changer on uneven terrain.

 

[Marky]

It'll work great, BUT you'll want Top&Tilt to hook it to the 3pt on uneven ground, and to tilt the bucket forward when loading the first third with wood (it's really loud otherwise, and it's much easier to load when tilted down), and tilt it back loading the remaining 2/3.

Try it a few times without T&T (it'll work like you're picturing it working) and you'll see why I suggest T&T (I'm not trying to spend your money needlessly).

Unloaded you'll get where you're going easily, far easier than with weight on the back, loaded both ends (bring a log back in the grapple and cut it up at the woodpile) your tractor will balance fantastically. Tight turns are a little challenging, but hills are much, much easier.

Also consider 4" rear wheel spacers on each side--what a game changer on uneven terrain.

Thanks Hedgehog. That is exactly like I envisioned using it. The adapter arrives tomorrow and I will try it out. Depending on how often I find myself taking the bucket off and on, I may go with a T &T. That would be nice to have when using my box blade.

 

[skeets]

Quick easy and fairly cheeeeeep....

 

[Marky]

Thanks Skeets. I like that idea but it doesn’t serve my needs which are to maximize efficiency by using the loader to haul wood on the rear.
With the loader on the rear and grapple on the front, I drive into woods to clear trails, and see a fallen oak. I cut it and drop the cut wood in my bucket. Then I have more ballast to offset weight in the grapple so, when I finish for the day, I grab a few logs in the grapple and head back to my woodpile. I dump the rear bucket, drop the logs from the grapple. Drive into my barn and I am done.
I am carrying the max amount of firewood with the attachments I have, my bucket is always with the tractor in case I need to do some dirt work on the trails. I have everything I need to grapple, move dirt, and haul wood with me at all times and I am not hauling unneeded ballast all thru the woods.
I probably want get around to testing this out until after deer season which gives me plenty of time to ponder….

 

[Russell King]

Thanks Hedgehog. That is exactly like I envisioned using it. The adapter arrives tomorrow and I will try it out. Depending on how often I find myself taking the bucket off and on, I may go with a T &T. That would be nice to have when using my box blade.

Get the top and tilt and don’t put it off! It is one of the most useful things you can add to the tractor.

 

[fc1]

Hey, FWIW I regularly carry my bucket with my grapple when I go someplace on the property where I'd like both available. Ballast box on the back, though often I consider a (weighted) carryall.

 

[biketopia]

Yeah, I know how it works. I’m not going to be doing anything heavy enough to require a ballast box.

You need to take your time, and learn your machine very very well. You absolutely will need ballast on the back of the tractor when using the grapple if you're going to pick up anything more than what you could carry by hand. It does not take much to get tippy, especially if operating on ever so slight of a grade. It sounds like you need a carry all, that can pull a trailer, and you need keep some weight in the carry all.

 

[FTG-05]

Yeah, I know how it works. I’m not going to be doing anything heavy enough to require a ballast box.

Famous last words.

 

[Marky]

You need to take your time, and learn your machine very very well. You absolutely will need ballast on the back of the tractor when using the grapple if you're going to pick up anything more than what you could carry by hand. It does not take much to get tippy, especially if operating on ever so slight of a grade. It sounds like you need a carry all, that can pull a trailer, and you need keep some weight in the carry all.

So what exactly is the difference between a carry all full of weight on the back of my tractor, and a loader bucket full of weight on the back of my tractor?
A trailer would be more of a hinderance than anything else. The firewood I would haul on it would be the ballast in the loader bucket. It’s really simple when you think thru it. Find a tree that’s down, cut it up, put it in the bucket, then I have ballast for grappling limbs, and firewood when I get back to the house. The bucket is the “carry-all”.
I certainly hope that with filled rear tires my grapple can handle more than I can carry by hand….if I have something big that the grapple can’t handle I will just drag it or chunk it up.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

no difference.
it is that simple.
GREAT idea really.