Welcome to the Little Buck Loader Blog!
Looking to get more out of your John Deere or Kubota lawn and garden tractor all year long? You’re in the right place. The Little Buck Loader Blog is your go-to resource for expert tips, maintenance guides, product updates, and real-world stories from folks who’ve turned their tractors into four-season workhorses with our American-made front-end loaders, grapples, and accessories.
Here, you’ll find:
Advice on maintaining your Little Buck Loader, Little Bull, and Z Buck
Tips for seasonal property care, from snow in winter to brush, mulch, and gravel in spring and summer
Updates on our growing arsenal of grapples, including the KBX Talon, the JD Talon, and the Antler Grappler
Behind-the-scenes stories from our family-owned factory in Sycamore, Illinois
Whether you're an experienced operator or just starting your tractor journey, our goal is to help you make a smart, all-seasons investment in equipment that works as hard as you do. Explore the blog and see how the right attachment can save your back and transform your property year-round.
Why the John Deere 425, 445 & 455 Series Are the Best Garden Tractors for Front-End Loaders
My prospective customers come to us to help them decide which garden tractor to purchase (that is compatible with our loaders), and time and again, we point to John Deere's legendary 4X5 series. Built to last, engineered for real work, and compatible with front-end loader attachments like the Little Buck and Little Bull, the JD 425, 445, and 455 models are true classics. In this article, we’ll explore why they remain top picks, how they compare, and what makes them so ideal for loader work.
How Do I Keep My Hydraulic Hoses from Rubbing on the Front Tire?
If you’re running a front-end loader on your John Deere garden tractor, you might run into an issue where the hydraulic hoses get a little too cozy with your front right tire. Read on to learn how fellow operators are solving it.
What to Know Before You Buy: Little Buck or Little Bull Loaders for John Deere X700 Series
The John Deere X700 series is a powerful and versatile line of lawn tractors, and one of the most popular platforms we support at Little Buck Loader. If you own an X700 or are considering purchasing a loader for one, here’s everything you need to know to ensure a smooth and successful setup with either our Little Buck or Little Bull front-end loader.
Yes, You Can Mount Your Loader by Yourself—No Heavy Lifting Required
One of the biggest perks of the Little Buck Loader is how easy it is to install—even by yourself. You don’t need a second set of hands or special equipment. With just your garden tractor and a little patience, you can go from pallet to mounted loader in under an hour.
The Perfect Loader Setup: What to Order with Your Little Buck or Little Bull
Investing in a front-end loader is a big step toward making your John Deere garden tractor more capable, efficient, and fun to use. But if you’re only buying the loader itself, you might be missing out on the full potential of your setup. In this post, we’ll walk you through a simple formula for building the ideal Little Buck or Little Bull system, from essential ballast weight to versatile accessories like grapples and pallet forks. Whether you’re working on your acreage every weekend or just need help managing seasonal projects, these add-ons will make your loader even more powerful and practical.
How to Unload Your Loader Pallet After Fastenal Pickup: A Simple Guide
Picking up your new front-end loader from Fastenal is an exciting moment—but once it’s on the back of your pickup or trailer, what’s the best way to unload it safely at home? In this article, we’ll walk you through the pallet dimensions, the Fastenal pickup process, and several safe, practical ways to get the pallet from your truck bed or trailer to the ground—no forklift required.
It’s All About the Channel: Get Your Front-End Loader to Attach Smoothly Every Time
Having trouble getting the spring-loaded pins to line up on your Little Buck Loader or Little Bull Loader? In this quick video, Luke walks you through the underside channel of the loader base, where the weight bar attaches and how the spring pins engage.
How to Replace Leaky O-Rings in Your John Deere Garden Tractor’s Hydraulic Quick Connects
If you own one of the older John Deere lawn and garden tractors that our loaders are built for, you may eventually run into a bit of hydraulic drip around your quick connects. Don’t worry, it’s a common issue, and luckily, it’s easy to fix with a few simple tools and a quick trip to your local JD dealer.
How to Fix a Stuck Hydraulic Valve on Your John Deere 4X5 Series Tractor (Without Replacing It)
We recently worked with two customers who ran into the same frustrating issue with their John Deere 4X5 series tractors: a stuck hydraulic valve. If you’ve got an older John Deere garden tractor, this is something to watch out for, especially if your levers haven’t been used in a while. Fortunately, there’s a simple way to get things moving again without jumping straight to a costly replacement.
Tacking Up a Ball Joint on a Classic Buick: Custom Auto Repair Ahead of the Malta Car Show
In many older vehicles, OEM parts are hard to come by—or wildly expensive. Our fabrication shop can often save you time and money by repairing or reinforcing components with precision welding instead. From brackets and frames to mounts and joints, we’ve got the tools (and the experience) to keep your car road-ready.
What Can (and Can’t) You Do with a Front-End Loader on Your Garden Tractor?
If you’ve invested in a front-end loader for your garden tractor—or you’re thinking about it—you already know how much time, effort, and back strain this tool can save. But what exactly can you do with a compact front-end loader like the Little Buck Loader or Little Bull? And just as important: what shouldn’t you do? Let’s break it down so you can get the most out of your equipment—without pushing it past its limits.
Custom Welding & Fabrication in Sycamore, IL – Serving the Greater Chicagoland Area
Located in Sycamore, IL, we provide expert welding and fabrication services across the greater Chicagoland area—trailers, boats, fences, auto frames, and more.
Lift, Haul, Repeat: Real-World Uses for Our Heavy-Duty Skid Steer Boom Pole
When you need more than muscle on your job site, the right attachment makes all the difference. Our Heavy-Duty Boom Pole for skid steers is built for jobs that demand strength, reach, and control. Whether you’re clearing storm damage, lifting trusses, or moving heavy equipment around your property, this boom pole turns your skid steer into a multi-purpose powerhouse.
Summer Projects Made Easy: How a Front-End Loader Can Power Up Your Property This Season
Discover the top summer projects made easier with a front-end loader. From gravel driveway touch-ups to yard cleanup, our American-made loaders help you work smarter.
Why a Mechanical Grapple for Your Front-End Loader Is a Game Changer
If you own a front-end loader and you’re still moving brush, logs, or debris by hand—or relying on a clunky strap or chain—it’s time to upgrade. A mechanical grapple attachment transforms your loader into a serious workhorse by giving it grabbing, gripping power without the need for extra hydraulics.
Trouble Mounting Your Front-End Loader? Here's a Quick Fix.
Every so often, we hear from customers having a little trouble getting their Little Buck or Little Bull Loader to mount correctly to their John Deere garden tractor. Don’t worry, this is an easy fix, and we designed our system with this exact issue in mind.
How to Convince the Boss (a.k.a. Your Wife) THAT You Need This Tool
We hear it all the time—“I just need to convince my wife.” And listen, we get it. Buying a front-end loader or grapple isn’t just a purchase, it’s a lifestyle decision. So whether you're lobbying over dinner or subtly leaving the browser tab open, here are four perfectly rational (and marriage-friendly) arguments to help you get that sweet spousal approval.
JD Talon Mechanical Grapple: The Ultimate Attachment for Your John Deere 120R Loader
When it comes to maximizing the utility of your John Deere 120R front-end loader, the JD Talon is a game-changer. Designed for John Deere owners who need a rugged, no-hassle, mechanical solution for handling brush, logs, and debris, the JD Talon is an essential grapple tool for landscaping, farm work, and property maintenance.
Maximize Your Skid Steer’s Lifting Power with Our Heavy-Duty Boom Pole
If you’re looking to extend the versatility of your skid steer, a boom pole attachment is an essential tool for lifting and transporting heavy loads with precision and ease. Whether you're handling logs, fence posts, construction materials, or other bulky items, our 70-inch Boom Pole for Skid Steers is built to get the job done efficiently.
Why the John Deere 400, 420, and 430 Remain Legendary
John Deere’s 400, 420, and 430 garden tractors have earned a devoted following thanks to their power, versatility, and durability. Built between the late 1970s and early 1990s, these models remain highly sought after by enthusiasts who appreciate their rugged construction and ability to handle tough tasks.