Taking off front end loader

Your question reminded me of a humerous post by Nolan about a year ago regarding removal of the pump shaft from the crank pulley. I found it in the archives.

• Crank pump shaft removal technique by Nolan

The trip bucket on my 8N would be just fine if I didn't have a special situation. I use the bucket like a kind of big wheelbarrow, filled with muck, which I lift up and over the side of a good sized dump trailer with pretty tall sidewalls. It's kind of a small front end loader for me.

My problem comes when I release the trip, and the loaded bucket swings freely down to dump its load. Since it's swinging free, it always wants to overswing a bit, and then it sometimes hits the side of the trailer. And, the heavier its load, the farther the bucket overswings -- so, the bigger the bang when it hits the trailer wall.

So, with the banging of metal against metal, I figure it's just a matter of time until something breaks. If I could reach in a bit further (a foot or so) the bucket wouldn't be able to reach the sides with its backswing.

Figured the hydraulically controlled bucket would allow me to control the tilt and stop the backswing.

If I didn't require the bucket to have to reach over the side of a trailer with tall sides, there'd be no problem at all.

I have a trip bucket on my Dearborn. If I used it a lot I would look for an alternative, however I keep it around for light work and it is just fine. You have to remember to lower the bucket so it is close to the ground, release it, then raise it. If not, it "slams" down. It is a little more difficult to dig with it since you can't angle it down to get a better bite. That being said, if you use it like I do for snow removal (if we would ever get any this year) or just light work, I wouldn't hesitate to consider a trip bucket. But, if you have a choice of 2 loaders and the price is the same, one being trip bucket and one being hydraulic, go for the hydraulic.

I've thought of adding the rams, control and lines, too. But, if I can find a a unit that's in good shape, and at a fair price, figured that would be the alternative.

I'm learning that my location is a factor, alright. I'm located at the most northwesterly corner of the country (on the tip of the Olympic Peninsula, out west of Seattle). So, I think the freight cost of shipping a unit this far is going to be an important factor.

I've had several responses now, so maybe somebody closer to my area will make contact. Thanks for the offer ... will get back to you if nothing else works out.