John Deere X748 - Mini Loader (Buford Bucket): Part 1

[@kevinrichards1539]

Read quite a few of the comments. I have a BB on my 332. Like others I love it. Everyone seems to agree that Pete did an amazing job on the build quality. I beat the piss out of mine and have not yet broken anything. The lift capacity is more than adequate for the sub-compacts. The BB can be run with the deck on. You can put on or pull off the BB in less than 15 min. Grease fittings are easy to access. Over sized hydraulic cylinders. My BB came with all the factory options as best I can tell. The only complaint from me is the lift height. Neat to see so many people here who have one!

[@waltermaley]

I have a Buford Bucket and have used it for about 10 years on a John Deere X728. There are a few videos on my page of me installing and using this loader. Recently I bought a 2025r and don't really use the BB any more. My thoughts are that for the price, which was less than half of what a 45 loader cost then, this was a great addition to my tractor that allowed me to get a lot of work done and dramatically expanded the use case for my particular tractor. I have not used a 45 loader, but having the 2025r has demonstrated some of the advantages of the design of the 45 loader over the BB. My only point would be that for the money, the BB was a great tool and well worth it in my case. I am sorry to hear Pete is not making them any more. He really did a great job in making these for years.

[@mmrbeef]

Thanks for the feedback! It will be very helpful as I move forward with this review.

[@jamesmabry2261]

Want to sell your Buford bucket?

[@rickyoung360]

I've got a Buford Bucket (BB) on my 425, along with tires loaded with windshield washer fluid (75# each), 100# of iron weights on each wheel and 214# of various suitcase weights for ballast. I purchased my BB used but in great shape. It came with a BB tooth bar and BB ballast box. The build quality of the BB is first rate in my opinion. The design, fit and finish and weld quality would make any craftsman happy. My BB was built by Pete Linsky. I've shimmed my pump to 1175 psi (1200 psi is supposed to be the max on my 425). The BB lacks the lift height of a 45 loader but the BB saved me thousands of dollars over a 45 loader but it serves me well. I primarily use it to save my back from lifting and carrying loads as I get older (I recently retired). The compact size lets me get into most areas in my barn or garages which is handy for moving material around my homestead. I'm anxious to see part 2 of your comparison video.

[@frankolbrot2923]

I purchased the little buck loader about 5 years ago. All the 45 loaders I kept finding were a thousand miles away or more. I did modify my little buck loader arms mount and bucket. I also fabricated a custom tooth bar for it. I’m still running it on my x485. I upgraded front tires to 6 ply and the rear tires were upgraded to the new versa turf tire. I loaded the rear tires with rim guard have 1set ofrearwheel weights. I also made a custom click and go rear weight ballast box. I also shimmed my hydro pressure relief valve. I don’t have any experience with the Buford or 45 but I am happy with my set up.

[@kevinrichards1539]

I have a BB on my 332. What modifications did you make? Thank you.

[@leopavao8667]

"Pushin a rock back and forth", "pushin a rock........" wow nice da.

[@v1nc3mc]

I'd definitely be curious to hear your expanded thoughts on the little buck. I bought one for my 445 a few weeks ago and I LOVE it. It's been unbelievably handy, and super capable, doing whatever I've asked of it without a sweat. I've also always been curious on the buford, so I appreciate the video on it 👍

[@mmrbeef]

Thanks for the feedback on the Little Buck Loader. This is the type feedback that helps a lot. Yes, I will get into some more details on the LBL.

[@scottbarber7256]

I've had one on a 425 for a few years it works great.

[@kevinrichards1539]

Just got one on my 332. Loving it!

[@ByCo1]

I purchased a Little Buck Loader for my 318 this last spring and I love it. No, it's not as capable as the OEM loader for the 318 but it's much easier to find and get than a good used OEM loader. It also cost less than what a good used OEM loader would normally cost. The Little Buck is very easy and quick to mount and dismount and doesn't require removing the mower and mule drive but that comes at the cost of strength and lift capacity. Any time a FEL is an add-on option stability is going to be a major concern. Little Buck advertises 345lb lift capacity at full height, I wouldn't be comfortable at half that in perfect conditions. But I don't foresee needing to do that. For my situation and use case the Little Buck is a perfect fit but your mileage will very.

[@mmrbeef]

Thanks for the feedback. I wish I could try a Little Buck Loader but I cant justify the ~$2300 for a third loader to test.

[@LukesJohnDeereGarage]

I have a Little Buck loader and have been very surprised and impressed with its capabilities. No, it's not as large or strong as an OEM loader, and it definitely doesn't feel as stable, especially when driving with weight in the bucket, but overall for the price it's been a great addition to my 455. I feel like it's a better design than the Buford bucket in a few ways, but the major one is significantly more lift height. You can easily dump a load on top of a dump truck load of dirt, or into a dumpster. I have a couple short videos of it.

[@boatanchorengineworks9005]

I hear it beats a wheel barrow!

[@mmrbeef]

Yes it does

[@GNolan2005]

Where is Part 2?

[@JeffPedlow]

Wouldn't the PF engineering Mini payloader also be equivalent? Front Pin-on. I realize it's DIY but its a relatively popular option.

[@boatanchorengineworks9005]

As was briefly mentioned, the other unique feature of this loader, as configured, is that the same loader could be used on a 300 series or a 4x5/x series. Now, not all had all those components, but this setup does.

[@JohnzCarz]

I know it may not be your favorite, but from what I'm seeing in this video, it a pretty capable accessory for those tractors. Sure beats a wheelbarrow and a shovel any day. Looking forward to your '45' video for comparison. It's unfortunate that this stuff isn't readily available - I would think there is a market for it. The only other one I know of is the CTC but I’d be hesitant given past experience dealing with them.

[@michaelmuilwyk3222]

Do you still have the Buford bucket? Curious if there will be another video!

[@mmrbeef]

Unfortunately I sold the Buford Bucket about a year ago. I had some offers I just could not refuse for it.

[@lkhorst6823]

I've been wanting a Buford bucket for my 322, so I am looking forward to the completion of this series, for your opinion. I contacted Pete and for personal reasons he is no longer making them. His design seems better than the others available for a 318/322. I would be interested in buying yours if you decided to sell it. I enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work! Beekeeper

[@mmrbeef]

Hopefully I can get to the test on the 318/317 before the cold weather get here! Yes, I will be selling this once I am done with it, but I don't know when that will be.

[@kevinrichards1539]

I am toying with the idea of building them. Are you still in the market for one?

[@BRadWilson3]

What tractor was that, that you used to move it on with the pallet forks?

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

I contacted one company in eastern Wisconsin about making a mount for my 5xi Toro 522xi and they said if I could borrow one of my 5xi tractors to them for 1-2 weeks they would do it. I forgot which company it was.

[@guyina4x499]

Any ETA on part 2?

[@4cornerssmallengineandfabr535]

Would I be out of place to ask you to get the measurements of the Buffered bucket?

[@jamesmabry2261]

You could also mount this on your new x758 as well, right?

[@mmrbeef]

Yes, I have no intentions of doing so since the X758 is my wife’s machine and it is in the stock hydraulic configuration.

[@jamesmabry2261]

@@mmrbeef I have an x758 and would to add a bucket. You mentioned stock hydraulics. Would I need to add the different implement pressure relief valve and the mower lift shut off valve?

[@TEAMTERYX]

That rock had me frustrated. Not gonna lie.

[@TheTorkerman]

Skip to 7:25 to avoid all the talking

[@spencerhalupinck94]

Will that fit on my John Deere 430?

[@mmrbeef]

This one will not. I do not have the correct mounting brackets.

[@johnpyle8027]

I don't think this is an apples to apples comparison. The 45 is a FEL and has a big lift height advantage. If that is not being taken into consideration I am betting one is is as good as the other. I restored a 1984 430 Diesel 2 years ago in hopes of finding a loader for it, or building one. I never found a loader that didn't need to be completely restored, or someone thought they had a unicorn (they kind of did) and wanted way too much money for it and I never built one. I looked for the Beauford but but like you said they don't make them anymore. I'd like to have one now! I looked at the Little Buck (and they made one for the 430) you just need the front end extension, which I now have. I didn't like the bucket shape and wasn't going to pay $1800 + shipping and then have to reconfigure the bucket so it didn't spill everywhere. When it was all said and done, I ended up turning my 54" blade into a shovel bucket. It works good hauling material, there is just no height to it. You can buy them from Deere but I wanted to haul more than mulch and leaves and with 1/8" plate bolt together everything that's about it's max. Not to mention what Deere wants $1200 for I build for a hundred in a few hours that is very stout.

[@mmrbeef]

I agree it’s not an apples to apples comparison. However, it’s the choice many folks try to make as you indicate. Greater capacity and higher lift for more money. Hopefully this series will help folks figure out if they cost savings is worth it.

[@mtozzy11]

Interesting but not sure I like it it's alot of weight hanging on to the front of the chassis. Good on you though for trying one, my money would be on a 45 loader I'm way to use to having a conventional front end loader

[@mmrbeef]

It should be an interesting comparison. I've used it for about an hour and a half so far.

[@mtozzy11]

@@mmrbeef im looking forward to it, something different and I like your more factual approach to reviews. I was looking on Facebook marketplace they have a 455 with a 45 loader on it with 800odd hours on it for $15,000.00 you can get a x748 with 45 loader 3pt pto with 250 hours for $14,000.00.

[@eddiefordiii770]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@stricht8]

You keep trashing the little buck loader but you haven’t used one. Many have and love them including myself. Why not give it a try?!

[@mmrbeef]

As I have stated, I know a lot of folks like them. One of the reasons I bought this Buford Bucket was so I can experience using a small loader. So far, with the time I have using it, I will say it has exceeded my expectations and I understand why folks like them. However, my concerns so far have been very justified. I would certainly try a LBL out if the opportunity was presented to me. I shelled out enough cash for this test, it’s hard for me to shell out another $2,300+ for a similar set up.

[@91rss]

buf in parts

[@tcollins6869]

Unless something changed recently, he’s still making them as I picked up mine last Oct. See about section kzbin.info