Anyone use a Garden Tractor loader?

[Tiha]

I am kind of shopping, Either garden tractor loader or skid steer.

To me the advantages of a garden tractor is more than one use. Back up mower if needed. Always kind of wanted one, and second mower would allow me to paint and finish restoring my 400.

Skid steer is a single use. I would probably spend the same money. It will sit 99% of the time, which my fear is having to work on it every time I need it.

Looking at kwikway, johnson, brantley, or john deere loaders.

Will it lift 1000 pounds? Like to move an engine?

Understand that ballast is very important to lifting.

I shouldn't ever have to dig dirt with it. Just hauling stuff. Maybe move snow.

Currently I have a John Deere 400, which is very similar to the 420/430 platform. It is heavy already at 1000 pounds. Has hydrostat and power steering.
Always kind of wanted a diesel 430, I could swap attachments between them.
Ideally would be a home made quick attach system so I can slap the bucket on and go without dropping the deck if need be.

Will I hate it?

I love my old 400, mowing and snow blowing it is amazing. It is tip top mechanical condition, it will out last me. No reason to spend $10k or more on something else.

Picture is not mine, but same tractor only with a loader already.

 

[AKnate]

1000lbs?! 🤣 that's a push for even a ~35hp diesel 4wd mini tractor.
Tractors don't make good forklifts...

Skid steer is handier than a shirt pocket. I mean they make like 78 million attachments for a reason.

 

[MONSTERMUDDER]

Like pictured?

Maybe scoop some loose dirt / mulch / gravel and push some (some) snow with it. It'll be just about useless for anything else.

 

[Tiha]

1000lbs?! 🤣 that's a push for even a ~35hp diesel 4wd mini tractor.
Tractors don't make good forklifts...

Skid steer is handier than a shirt pocket. I mean they make like 78 million attachments for a reason.

The model 20 loader designed to work on the JD 400 is rated at 750 lbs, so I didn't think 1,000 is out of reach for an aftermarket loader or even the JD loader.

And my 1,000 pounds is an over estimate of a dressed V10 or powerstroke engine.

 

[Speedy]

I have a Kubota BX2230 which is slightly bigger than the tractors you are talking about. I have carried 900+ pounds but it is dicey with balance even with counterweight. As talked about in the foam tire thread, your tires won't hold up to much activity with that kind of weight.

 

[Yotota]

Dude... My L2501 is 2700lb bare, 3500lb with the loader attached. 1000lb is about the limit for it with pallet forks attached.

You'll be lucky to get 500lb of lift capacity at the pin, and more like 400lb with forks attached.

 

[Pt_Ranger_v8]

The model 20 loader designed to work on the JD 400 is rated at 750 lbs, so I didn't think 1,000 is out of reach for an aftermarket loader or even the JD loader.

And my 1,000 pounds is an over estimate of a dressed V10 or powerstroke engine.

That 750 lbs includes the weight of the loader.


And 1k lbs is conservative for a dressed powerstroke or v10.


My buddy has a 25-30hp Kubota, and it's sketchy picking anything up - even with ballast.

 

[blackdog82]

I've got a kubota 24hp diesel, it can barely lift a Toyota 5VZ on pallet with no rear ballast. Six 80lb bags of concrete will tip it forward without ballast too. Still really handy though. I have a blade I can put on back for ballast, but haven't tried maxing it out with that on.

 

[blackdog82]

Probably also should have pointed put the little tractors never lift stuff high enough like you can with forklift.

 

[Dethmachinefab]

1k doable with some counterweight. Build the loader as close to the front wheels as possible.

Here's when I was testing out that 1050 loader I built years back. Decent size tree hanging way out.

 

[arse_sidewards]

1k doable with some counterweight. Build the loader as close to the front wheels as possible.

Here's when I was testing out that 1050 loader I built years back. Decent size tree hanging way out.

Needs a Z bar for more breakout force.

 

[det107]

a Toyota 5VZ on pallet

How much does that weigh total? Asking for a friend-

 

[Dethmachinefab]

Needs a Z bar for more breakout force.

I was almost certain it was going to fold in half a few times. I sold this and bought that magna trac you ended up with. How's that project going?

 

[Lexter01]

How much does that weigh total? Asking for a friend-

I would say that it weights right around 1 unit of "Toyota 5VZ" ))

 

[blackdog82]

How much does that weigh total? Asking for a friend-

Guessing it was really close to 480 lbs....almost wanted to tip tractor fwd. I was scared to take my weight off it.

 

[Yotota]

1k doable with some counterweight. Build the loader as close to the front wheels as possible.

Here's when I was testing out that 1050 loader I built years back. Decent size tree hanging way out.

Unless that little tractor magically weighs 2000lb (it doesn't), there's no way that physics would allow that loader to pick 1000lb.

 

[Yotota]

I've got a kubota 24hp diesel, it can barely lift a Toyota 5VZ on pallet with no rear ballast. Six 80lb bags of concrete will tip it forward without ballast too. Still really handy though. I have a blade I can put on back for ballast, but haven't tried maxing it out with that on.

I recently got a ballast box for my L2501 and it helps. Fully loaded with gravel, it's ~600lb. Before that I also used the ~300lb box blade for ballast which was better than nothing...

 

[Jag]

Ive got BX25D and even with the backhoe on 1000 lbs in the bucket would be sketchy.

It will do it but you have to get creative and make sure your life insurance is up to date.

 

[Dethmachinefab]

Unless that little tractor magically weighs 2000lb (it doesn't), there's no way that physics would allow that loader to pick 1000lb.

There is about 900lbs hanging off the back.

Another pic with the weights.

Tires were the weak point.

 

[Clb]

My .02
Steering that with half that weight is gunna suck.
Hell. Even my lil ford 1200 cut with a 4' bucket of sand (guessing @900#)does not want to steer...

 

[arse_sidewards]

I was almost certain it was going to fold in half a few times. I sold this and bought that magna trac you ended up with. How's that project going?

It's just sitting. Gotta deal with the Ranger first.

 

[Wades_76_cj7]

I had a JD 400 with a loader for awhile. it was a neat toy but it's not gonna lift 1000#. It worked ok for scooping up mulch, loose dirt or spreading gravel (slowly) but it would do it. I had the Deere brand loader on mine and it was a pain to switch back and forth between FEL and mower deck. You are not going to be able to share attachments except Cat 0 3 point stuff between a 400 and a 420/430 Deere.. The 400 is an animal all it's own.

 

[Yotota]

There is about 900lbs hanging off the back.

Another pic with the weights.

Tires were the weak point.

900lb of ballast... Are you serious? That's funny, I'm impressed that the frame is still straight.

 

[Dethmachinefab]

I've got a bx2200, and it spends most of its time on the front two wheels doing anything like those loaders at stone quarry videos you see. Maybe picks up 600lbs in the bucket? Still real handy around the house though.

 

[posford]

My JD 755 with loaded rears and the rototiller on will pick up a full dressed big block out of the bed of my F250 on 35s

 

[Dethmachinefab]

900lb of ballast... Are you serious? That's funny, I'm impressed that the frame is still straight.

You and me both. I sold it before folding it up. That weight rack would slide further back too. The frame was just round tube, that the weight rack slid inside, also helped keep it from folding. It was really a "how ridiculous can I make this thing" build. Had full hydro steer too.

 

[Thumping]

You'll find tons of uses for the skid steer....

 

[Tiha]

I had a JD 400 with a loader for awhile. it was a neat toy but it's not gonna lift 1000#. It worked ok for scooping up mulch, loose dirt or spreading gravel (slowly) but it would do it. I had the Deere brand loader on mine and it was a pain to switch back and forth between FEL and mower deck. You are not going to be able to share attachments except Cat 0 3 point stuff between a 400 and a 420/430 Deere.. The 400 is an animal all it's own.

Seems kind of over built for what it will lift right?

You think it could cut sod? Or not even strong enough to dig any topsoil?

It is a toy, but trying to manage expectations. The majority of what I would do is just that, mulch, gravel kind of thing. Assisted carrying of fire wood maybe.
To pick an engine would be rare and not required of it.

The blower I have is off a 420. No the deck won't swap but most of the attachments including the bucket if I buy one, could move to a 420/430 platform. tiller would not work either, but I don't have one. LOL

Yes the 400 has a goofy PTO speed.

 

[Wades_76_cj7]

frame width is different from 400 to the 420/430 as well. there was a guy selling frame adapters over on Weekend Freedom Machines years ago when I was on there. not sure if that forum is still up? I really wanted a rear mount tiller for mine but never wanted to pay what they cost for the rear gearbox for the PTO and then the tiller.

Mine had starter weights (75# each) plus a weight bracket off the rear 3 point that I hung 4-65# weights on.

Tractordata.com says 500# of lift with the Deere model 20 FEL which is what I had on mine. It was much better than a shovel or wheelbarrow but more novelty than anything. If you know it's limitations and don't expect big tractor or skid steer performance it was kinda neat. I ended up selling the FEL off mine and bought a brand new car trailer with the money. They are pretty rare anymore and if you find the right buyer they are worth $$.

 

[Pook]

My Kubotas L3901 I think is 1100lbs at the pins. I have pushed it but its sketchy lifting that heavy out of a truck bed with stuff up high.