Having a loader is great. I am glad my 2305 has a 200CX loader. My 425 has a PowerPak and 14 bushel bagger, the 445 has a front grapple, and the 455 has a blade,. I like your Little Buck and enjoy your videos immensely.
Hello I have really enjoyed your videos and because of you I have purchased a John Deere 425 . it's in great condition and has 328hours. I couldn't find a 445 near me. I ordered a little Buck loader and Steve and Luke are very nice as well as Leah. They shipped it today and I ordered the forklifts. I will also be purchasing some other things that you had put in previous videos. I hope to see many more of your videos compared to a lot of the others you do a great job. And I told Steve you're the reason why I ordered the little Buck loader. I also ordered a yard glider . I don't know if that's something you want to check out or not but I'm excited to get it in . I think it will be very useful on our property. Have a wonderful day and thank you again
I enjoyed your videIo and have just installed my Little Buck loader. Steve was very helpful and I agree with your assessments.I find my loader to be of high quality.
Hi Tesser another great review. My buck loaders been working great, she's moved dirt to rock and more. I've actually dug a hole to put a big piece of concrete for a neighbor. I haven't moved snow yet but it will if needed. The old 420s doing great for a old girl. I'm considering modifying a snow blower to mount on the front when the buckets removed from the mounts. One cant go wrong with the buck loader. See you again Tesser and stay healthy
Thanks for the videos! I bought a 425 and a little buck loader largely based on your videos. I just pulled the mower deck off today. What do you do to protect the splined shaft protruding from the transaxle with the mower drive shaft removed?
Glad you find the videos helpful! Whith the deck removed and no other shaft-driven attachment installed, I just leave that coupler as is, apart from giving it a good spraying with WD40. It is pretty-much out of the way and I've never had a problem. When re-installing I will check it is clean and the receiver collar is sliding freely, and spray with a light grease. Same with the deck or attachment shaft. Key is to keep the parts clean and lightly lubricated, so they slide together and apart easily. Heavier grease can making things sticky and lead to problems when coupling, etc.
Hi, I'm looking at the possibility of purchasing a use Little Buck Loader which is currently installed on a JD 322. Do you know it this Little Buck loader will properly fit on a JD 425? In essence, do you know if the front mounting bumper and pin position are the same dimensions on both the 322 and the 425. Little Buck loader indicated that were is some difference between the 300 and 400 series loaders, but I'm still wondering it this particular loader can be properly mounted on the 425. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
I do like the look of the Little Bull, with its additional attachment points. However, I don't think they make it for the 4*5 series, just the X series. It is more expensive than the Little Buck, but still looks great value compared with anything else. If I had an X I think I would go for the Little Bull.
@@tesser5250 Bought a set of slightly less aggressive tires and added around 300 lbs of weight in a homemade weight box in the rear.. No problem with traction or with messing up the yard..
They have one now called the Little Bull. I restored a 1984 430 Diesel and I knew I wanted a loader going into it. I looked at the Little Buck but didn't like that the weight is 100% on the front end and if I purchased it I would have modified it with supports angled down back to a cross member under the frame. I also didn't like the shallow bucket. Having the 430 I also would have to have bought a $300 front extension. The Little Bull is $2900 and I believe only fits the x series. They added braces that run back and down to the motor mounts for added stability like I talked about. I didn't like the double duty in that design and it falls short of the center of the machine. I bought plans from PF engineering to build a true loader like the 40s and 45. Complete build is less than $1000 buying everything from Surplus Center. The plans come with a complete detailed materials list and you can modify them. I have a pretty decent shop and the tools though, not everyone is that lucky. If you can weld, read blue prints and have a chop saw you're good to go and you will have a much higher lift capacity.
For me, it is about price/performance and for that the LBL is unbeatable. I am aware many are concerned about it hanging off the front but I have experienced no problems. Besides, with any FEL design, physics dictates that a load that is suspended out front will generate maximum force over the front wheels. Additionally, the front attachment design of the LBL, makes for easy on/ off and compact storage. Plus, you can run the LBL with a full cab, which is pretty much impossible with other full FELs. Anyway, good luck with building your own FEL👍 I would not want to trust my little flux welder and primitive welding skills for such a project !🤣
@@tesser5250 My cab will be my Carharts, boots, mittens and a hat! lol For your needs you made valid points about the Little Buck and I came close to getting one! The new Little Bull being bolted to the motor mount brackets is risky in my opinion, but they are trying new ideas and that makes a good company! My FEL will never be removed. Strictly dirt work and pushing snow. I maintain 600' of slope along my road with a box blade and the loader. I made a quick connect and can put a plow on mine. The 1" axles on these old beauties are something. They knew what they were doing back in the day! I have been astounded with what my 430 can do on the back end too. I have a boom and tongs that I drug 29 entire trees with 6 -10 inch trunks up to my cut and burn area. Ive only had mine a year and spent last winter running down odds and ends to rebuild almost everything on the tractor, it's like new. The guys at Deere all came out and slobbered on it when I finished it. When you have one it's almost like you look for things to use it! lol
Hello Tesser. I just acquired a beautiful 445. One of the first things I noticed was that the quick connects for the hydraulic were rusted and not capped. I am not sure if the hydraulics have ever been used. I have picked up a snowblower for it, and I have a little buck on the way. My question to you is since my ports are not color coded, how do I know which hoses go to which ports ? I cleaned up the quick connects the best I could. As you know they are not cheap. Hopefully they do not leak. Love your videos man.
I've had mine for around a year. I welded on a center 3/8 in grab hook on a 4x7 inch 1/4 inch steel plate and used it a good deal for various lifting chores. I was glad to see a gusset/brace in the center of the bucket because of the thinness of the metal in the bucket... still, I noticed a very slight smile this spring while getting it ready for use. Putting a straight edge across, it's only about 1/4 inch dip but noticeable on both sides of my added on plate steel Grab hook. Had the factory added a second gusset mimicking the plates that hold the ram there may not have been an issue. Frankly, I was surprised to see it.. Anyone who lifts the maximum load with a similar setup I'd advise welding an additional bracket underneath. Without the center gusset or more, I could easily see folks getting smileys on their buckets lifting close to max loads with a center mounted grab hook. Also welded on D rings on similar steel plates on both sides of the bucket in around 8 inches from each end.. I haven't used them yet... Just used the loader again today for an hour or two... it's an expensive add on but so far well worth it..
I figured I'd chime in seeing I have a lil buck-i freaking love it! I put it on my 455 a couple years back to build a driveway-yes a driveway lol. I put the piranha bar on and dug it out and had 20tons of cr6 stone delievered and spread it no prob. I did put a 3pt on with a ripper attachment(n 2-45lb olympic weights with chains). I rip every 4ft before I dig with the loader-i think that's why I've been so successful with it. The things badass-i did break one of the bucket attachment points but I got it plated and rewelded at a shop-its stronger then it was before. Btw lil buck picked up the tab with that repair-i tried to tell them that they didn't have to but they insisted! I told them I prob used it way harder then it was intended...they didn't care. Good guys and great product! Game changer for the modern man
Hey tesser. Love your videos, keep them coming for 425. I have a 425, and just ordered a little buck loader, and the bigger tires like you have. I want to get those quick connect hydraulic couplers to hook up the loader, my tractors unit still has the plugs installed from factory. Can you tell me what size I need and are they universal meaning can I just buy some cheapos from ebay?? Thanks.
Pleased you enjoy the videos! So if you have the four oem hydraulic hookups, located by the left foot plate, those should be "quick connect", meaning the collar should slide back to enable the male fitting from the implement to be inserted. However, if they have never been used they will probably be stiff. Soak them with some WD40 untill the collars become free and the dust caps can be removed. Also, remember to wiggle the two hydraulic levers back and forth a few times, to release hydraulic pressure, whenever coupling or uncoupling an implement. Good luck with you LBL and new tires!
@@tesser5250 The model 40 loader instructions indicate: "The 40 loader is shipped complete with a hydrostatic pressure relief valve which must be installed in place of the tractor transaxle forward control valve. The relief valve limits the peak hydrostatic pressures in the transaxle. This protects the transaxle from unnecessary stress for longer life. Operation of a front end loader on a tractor without the transaxle hydrostatic pressure relief valve will void the tractor warranty. If a 40 loader is taken off one tractor and used on another, or another brand of loader is used, it is important that the loader tractor be equipped with the transaxle relief valve." So, the Model 40 loader gets a relief valve. I am still trying to figure out if it is worth trying to do that or just run as is. Seems like you have not had any problems just running with the LBL and not making the modifications by adding the relief valve that the Model 40 indicates.
Thanks, @Justin Mortensen, that is good information to know. Somehow I was informed it was not necessary on the 4*5 series, but that could be wrong. I certainly have worked mine hard for three years without transmission problems, but don't want to wrongly inform other owners. I might try ask the folks at LBL to see what they have to say about the matter...
@@tesser5250 I did ask the LBL folks and they were not sure about 4x5 series. My guess would be it would not hurt to install one but not super critical if not abusing the loader and machine.
Hi hope all is well .I love my 445 with a 40 loader ,? i would like to replace one front and a back light on mine where would i find some more reasonable than John Deere thank you. stay healthy.just spread 10 yards of loam yesterday .
So when buying deere parts I normally look for the best deals available on Amazon and ebay. I've also had good luck with www.greenpartstore.com. For engine parts always better to buy direct Kawasaki parts rather than JD, and www.atvworks.com is a good source.
Hi have comment on your videos, which are great. I have a question the forks you added to your little buck loader. Could you please send me link or email address of company. My boss would like to buy a set after seeing your video. Thank you Eric.
Ok, so I purchased my forks from an ebay vendor, primeautobuy and they were only $90.99, including free shipping. I just checked and see they are not offering them at this time, but there are plenty of other ebay vendors selling similar products. Good luck!
I was interested in the Little Buck Loader, but found a used 45 loader for my 2007 X728 that wasn't too far away. I definitely paid a lot for it ($3,300), but it's already paid for itself in moving dirt and stone around my property, and I've only owned it for a couple months.. My biggest concerns were the lift capacity and bucket size on the Little Buck FEL.
Yes, I feel the same about the LBL, it has paid for itself many times over. As for lift and volume capacity it has far exceeded my expectations and done everything I would'vef hoped from a JD40.
Those look to be really nice When I bought my 425 I got the 40 loader and the snowblower with it. It was very expensive and my friends thought I was crazy but 27 years later and everything still runs like a deere I spent less than they did after they purchased 4 or 5 lesser machines in these 27 years I have since restored a diesel 455 and dedicated the bucket and blower to it and the 425 is getting a break and is a mowing machine now lol
A Deere is always a good choice. We just purchased a 425. Our previous mower is a 1986 14SB Self Propelled Mower, still working great. We paid $650 Cdn $ for it. Neighbors thought we were crazy. Here we are 34 years later and it still our only mower we have ever had on our property here. Before that we were on the farm, cutting 2 acres of grass using a 112 lawn tractor until we moved to a small property and sold it and got the 14SB.
To every one that reads these comments. I just found out that this wonderful man is no longer with us. His videos are so informative and so helpful. I hope His family will keep them online. To the family: you are in our prayers and we are so sorry for your loss.
This just broke my heart. I recently was gifted a 425 from a dear friend and have been steadily watching his videos. To find out that he passed away has ripped my heart out.
