I have the swisher setup and the bucket. The plow is solid. The bucket is marginally useful. Because of the way the push tube is so low the bucket is not high enough to dump nor low enough to scoop well. It can be made much better with some modifications but don't plan on making it as useful as any tractor.

 

my opinion that is way to much weight on the front of a machine...

 

The swisher setup is great at distribution of the weight. I've loaded the bucket and even more on the front rack and never once had an issue.

The swisher setup is spring loaded a and bolts to the rear ball assembly area.

 

Are you looking at Swisher or some other brand? Post a link.

 

• That's the one. It looks like the price has gone up with recent steel increases. The issues you describe are exactly the concerns I have and these are clearly evident in the videos, even the mods to improve the performance if I was looking at it correctly. I am assuming that yours has the mount that attaches to the undercarriage that also supports the rear mounted implement? My needs are just general home stuff. A back saver is pretty much what I need. Thank you very much for the information.

 

• That's the one. It looks like the price has gone up with recent steel increases. The issues you describe are exactly the concerns I have and these are clearly evident in the videos, even the mods to improve the performance if I was looking at it correctly. I am assuming that yours has the mount that attaches to the undercarriage that also supports the rear mounted implement? My needs are just general home stuff. A back saver is pretty much what I need. Thank you very much for the information.

Yes it mounts in a much better way then other products. The downside is taking the pins out in the front on the A-arms can be difficult at times. When you want to trail ride you have to take the entire thing off and believe me that sucks in the winter when it's full of ice.

 

The most hazardous route it may ever take will be out to the deer stands and that is part of it's intended use or at least I hope.
Thank you very much for the input. Overall you would recommend ?

 

I honestly don't recommend it for the bucket. I will measure the ground clearance and snap a few shots of it in the morning for you.

Here is rockville and it's unusable for trail riding with the tube mounted. Going to a deer stand you are probably better off with a small trailer for that purpose.

You end up shoveling stuff in the bucket instead of just picking it up with it. If I get a load of mulch for the house I shovel it in the trailer. If I buy bags I can put them in the bucket.

 

Good stuff for consideration. I have retaken my position on the fence unsure and needing to pick a side, lol.

 

I had no idea such a thing even existed, lol, awesome.

Bill- I found the front struts/springs on my old 400 didn't really age well, very soft and lacked rebound by the time I got it. Just a thought- you may find yourself needing to stiffen the front springs, if you get anywhere with that bucket

 

Take a look at this video. If you have loose material it somewhat works. The bucket holds little and you waste a ton of time going back and forth just articulating the bucket. If your material is sticky the angle of the bucket makes it hard to drop. If the material is dense good luck ramming your machine into it to try and get a load.

He explains how it's hooked up and how it works pretty well. Pay attention to how he is working with it and picture how much time is wasted.

This is a much better design all the way around. Not sure about it's durability but functional wise it's 1000 % better. It also makes it so if you want to trail ride it's much less a hassle.

 

This was my first time seeing the iron Baltic but it absolutely is a much better design I couldn't I couldn't wait to get on their website and wouldn't you know my year model and size is not found anywhere so it's not not an option for me t




he

 

I also forgot to mention the bucket can unexpectedly drop after a couple years of use on rough terrain. It's a rather unpleasant feature of the design.

 

Here is what you are looking for. probably cost more than the atv but essentially make it into a small tractor. I have never used or seen one of these except for this video

 

and put get a backhoe attachment

 

another one

 

Stop it now guys before I waste money on another bad idea. Lol

 

So what did they do to the suspension of all the machines in the video? The front ends do not compress at all when lifting the bucket full or empty... The suspension is not designed for this and all you will do it destroy it over time.. Look how much the suspension compresses with just a lite snow blade on a machine.. I would never put something like this on a ATV/SXS but to each their own.. Even the bobcat sxs that is designed for this and comes factory with a bucket compresses the front suspension..

 

So what did they do to the suspension of all the machines in the video? The front ends do not compress at all when lifting the bucket full or empty... The suspension is not designed for this and all you will do it destroy it over time.. Look how much the suspension compresses with just a lite snow blade on a machine.. I would never put something like this on a ATV/SXS but to each their own.. Even the bobcat sxs that is designed for this and comes factory with a bucket compresses the front suspension..

Not sure about the others but the swisher design takes a lot of the load off the suspension. I've moved quite a lot of material with it. The issue is that it's just not an efficient operating tool out of the box.

 

Yeah the ones with their own hydraulics will cost waaay more than what I have on the ATV itself so they aren't a consideration. I have not previously seen the yellow one I dont think so I will check it out. There is no comparison to even the smallest tractor as far as capabilities. My needs aren't that great so my expectations wouldn't be either. I wouldn't be loading it with anything more than what I would carry in a large wheel barrow or cart. With reasonable expectations performance can be maximized with driver skill which was painfully obvious in several videos. It won't move mountains but I'm sure I could scoop up a mole hill, lol. I'm looking to save what's left of my lower back, shoulders, neck, arms and every other crackling joint in my body. Unless it's a total nightmare to screw with it just might suit my needs. Granted, it would have been a better fit when it was still in the $400 range as opposed to the $600 range it has jumped up to. Thank you for all the interesting input yall

 

If I can extract them from my old tablet I have some pictures of the front end crane that I assemble on my 400 each spring and fall to move my big potted trees in from the cold and out for warm weather. I think you all might get a kick out it. 2.5" square steel tubing it has an articulating boom and runs off the winch. Not a single fastener on it. It's incredibly simple in it's design and works better than I could have ever imagined. Then it comes apart effortlessly by removing the single ratcheting strap that holds it all together

 

if you can't get the pictures then maybe some sketches

 

Post it up Bill. Sounds very interesting.