[mown2long]

that 4-1 bucket makes sense , espically with not having to stress the tracks if you dont have too, yet with my caterpillar 267Byou never feel any thing loading a bucket, but thats not to say the tracks dont. i think i will go ahead and get one. I used my machine yesterday to move a pallet of cvambridge pavers, wieghing about 2400lbs, across a guys yard, up a muddy hill, through a muddy paddock, to the back yard, and it never slipped an inch, or made a rut- completely awesome. The FFR preparator i ordered came in yesterday as well, havent got to try it yet- ground has froze up again- but does any one have any experience with one? or a similar product? How much does the rc-30 cost?I have the caterpillar 267 B and a kubota bx 23 with loader/hoe, and between the two i get a lot done, but i would like a smaller track machine too

[cutntrim]

I'd love a combination bucket, but my 553 is only rated for 950lbs and the bucket is too heavy when loaded for my machine according to Bobcat. Perhaps there are other manufacturers of combo/4-in-1 buckets?

One other attachment that looks interesting is the "digger". The 553 is only spec'd for a 12" or 16" size (listed info on Bobcat's website) but even the 12" could be used for trenching, or removing/planting shrubs...

Doing interlock borders alongside asphalt drives might be an application where the digger could work, eliminating having to use the dirt bucket on a skidsteer, or rental of a mini-x.

[BJR]

I am sure that you could find a 4 in 1 bucket somewhere. Everyone with a 463 and bigger, including a 553, has them here in Aus. As you can see from the pic of a Kanga loader here, it also has one and it is much smaller than a 553 bobcat. The ones we use are not bobcat brand. Bobcat here gets aftermarket ones.

I use to have a backhoe attachment for my RC30. Then I bought a mini-X. Much better. I quickly sold my Backhoe attachment. But is only good if you are doing lots of trenching and excavation.

[cutntrim]

The "digger" isn't a backhoe attachment. It's more of a scoop shovel. It'd be WAY cheaper than the backhoe attachment, easy to transport/store and can be seen on the www.bobcat.com website.

[cutntrim]

Sourced a 4-in-1 combo bucket (48" size) through the ASV dealer in Brantford (1/2hr from me). $2800.00 CDN !!! Think I'll hold off on that one for now...

[BJR]

In Aus we have a thing that a friend of mine invented. It's called a Quick Hoe. It's a modified excavator bucket. You open your 4in1 bucket and then close it to clamp it under the bucket. Works great for shallow trenches down to 600mm.

[Bill Schwab]

You should be able to make a 4 in one with a little help from a fab guy and a couple small utility rams. Just cut the bucket you have toward the back stop, add a cutting adge and a lilttle gusseting and bracing, and you should have it.

[Swisher]

Originally posted by cutntrim
That's what I'd like to have, but it's not available for the smaller 553.

I think you can get one for your machine.

http://www.wrlonginc.com/HJ2L.htm

[Pelican]

Originally posted by cutntrim
Sourced a 4-in-1 combo bucket (48" size) through the ASV dealer in Brantford (1/2hr from me). $2800.00 CDN !!! Think I'll hold off on that one for now...

You'll make that back in one season on saved labor if you keep the machine at all busy. In cleaning up job sites they are indispensable, a good operator can pick up a pile of debris leaving only a few shovels full behind for hand work. The only limits to this bucket are your imagination.

[synner]

cutntrim, Horst makes awesome buckets, little rich but nice stuff and they definitely pay for themselves very quickly.

HORST WELDING | HLA >> 4 - IN - 1 BUCKET

[synner]

cutntrim, Horst makes awesome buckets, little rich but nice stuff and they definitely pay for themselves very quickly.

HORST WELDING | HLA >> 4 - IN - 1 BUCKET