Been working on concrete only so far. My small dump trailer only couple foot off the ground. Been looking for this set-up for over a year now very hard to find one and I just about flip my wig when he took my offer.
There's just a lot of work you can do with a small tractor/bucket combo. The trick is learning slowly and carefully what it can and can't do… so it doesn't get expensive, if you know what I mean. I've described mine as a 3 wheeled atv with a bucket on front. By that, I mean how tippy it is under loads. Has gotten my attention many times. It's taught me to slow down and crawl if I have to. With no suspension, the slightest little rock/stump, can ruin my day quick with my bucket even down low. Mech made a good point too about losing one of the front tires while under load… even worse if the load is high… and, over we gooooo! Best thing is have fun finding it's limits. Finding that "tip point" and then staying away from it. Like I said, you'll love it and wonder how you did stuff without it… Congrats.
Guess I am not pushing it then. And so far just working off the drive to fill my dump trailer. I have 20 yards of mulch on there. Well did have moved 10 last night. I figure that was the best place start learning, so far very cool.
JD's been around for a long time. Maybe you could find some used green gear. Only thing you might find is folks don't want to part with em.
Yes they do...But once you get one. You'll wonder how you ever did with out one. Mine pretty much stays on all the time, very rarely comes off any more.
Hey as long as you find its limits your good. Like I said I'm a little hard on stuff and occasionally overload things.
Filling the front tires with ballast reduces the amount of air they can hold. Liquid also does not compress. So when the loader puts a whole bunch of weight on those tires, the liquid in them can actually push the bead off the rim. A sudden blowout like that is the last thing you need with the bucket loaded heavy at full height.
Tubes won't stop that kind of force but you are most likely right about being OK at 400lbs and gentle use. Not like you're traveling 20MPH with the bucket loaded. Don't forget, we want some action shots!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Danco-Loade...347?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5afdbd2a03 Here what I normally run into if you can find that.
Move a lot of dirt this weekend. Building a back stop and I now know all about the tippy feeling. Dirt is much heavier than even wet mulch and rough ground.
Have you "lifted" the rear wheels yet, because the load in the bucket was enough to lift the rears enough to at least slip? That can be fun on soft ground… the fronts sink from the entire weight of the load, tractor and you, all balanced on the front end when you lift. Lots going on there isn't it? By now… waddaya think… is a bucket on a small tractor a little better than a spade moving dirt?
I ride with loads like that with the bucket kissing the ground and my hand on the down lever to drop the bucket instantly if I get "surprised". I've stopped many flips that way.
Its a lot easier to round off a bucket load of mulch though. But, throw in uneven and hill sure Yea I am glad that there was 20 yards of mulch to practice with. Back stop needs to be high as possible I got a 6 foot height with my bucket. Any thought?