RMS
Well-known member
Equipment
LX2610HSDC, RCR1260, PFL1242, LX2963, RB1684, WC-68,Flail Mower,Grapple, Z421
Thanks, that was another one that I was considering. I don't believe I will need a heavy duty model as I'm only taking out saplings and maybe a little bigger and then plan on using the bucket to dig holes for new trees/shrubs elsewhere.THIS will probably be about as inexpensive as any other option on your LX2610. It's listed as light duty, but I haven't hurt mine yet with my LX2610SU. I'm a lot more worried about hurting the tractor or FEl with it than I am about hurting that bucket. I've seen some stories of ripping out the bottom eyes where the SSQA pins latch it on, but if you tear out those holes, you're doin' it wrong anyway. The ones complaining about the bucket should be pretty happy that the bucket didn't tie the bucket cylinders into pretzels and rip the boom of the FEL right off the tractor.
There are two things I don't like about this bucket, though. The first is that the bottom of the bucket is nearly 4 inches higher than the bottom knuckles on the SSQA, meaning you can't run it level to slide under surface roots. The second is that it's very hard to see what you're doing with it because it's so narrow, but this seems to be a common complaint with all stump buckets.
I got mine on sale for just about half the price listed. I think they're trying to eliminate that model so that they sell more of the heavy duty buckets. If you only have light-medium stump work to do, this one works well.
Absolutely, the FEL components aren't going to stand up to being force in a direction they were never meant to go. Anything that sticks out farther than a standard bucket is going to be exceeding the strength of the cylinders and boom. You're more likely to bend or break a cylinder rod before hurting the boom too much, but once one breaks, all bets are off for twisting a boom. I've already paid for mine once, and rather than have to buy a new one, I'll just take smaller bites and enjoy the ride a little longer. FYI, pallet forks pose a real danger as well. NEVER EVER drag the points of pallet forks for the same reason. Lifting the front of the tractor with pallet forks is a good way to bend your bucket cylinders. The bucket motion is not designed to defy gravity in the pushing direction. They're not digging tools either. They're meant to stab through and empty hole under things that you want to pick up. That's it.No matter how heavy the stump bucket is built I think the FEL arms are your weakest link.