300 Utility loader questions

Hi all. I purchased my 300 Utility tractor about 2 years ago. It came with 33A Power loader and front snow plow but no actual loader or hydraulic set-up to run a loader.
I've been shopping around, knowing it's a bit of a long shot finding the matching loader bucket for this particular model. Here's my questions. How do I determine what other loaders will fit my 33A frame. How do I determine what other loaders will fit my tractor? I do not weld so that option doesn't work. I included some pics but I learned that since I'm a new user, they may not show up. Thanks for the help. Paul

I would ask you first what you want the loader to do? The loader I have for my 300U, if I recall correctly from the original brochure, only had a manure bucket on the front. Really small bucket with forks to sift the bedding which is not real heavy stuff to begin with. If you want to move dirt or sand/aggregate, I would find a different tractor. I never mounted my loader on the tractor as I was concerned about damaging the steering. Ask around about this. You may want to reconsider.

I would say measure the distance between the bucket mount arms at the mounting point,
both inside to inside and outside to outside, or measure the same distances of the mounting
brackets. Them compare them to any/all buckets you can find.
Draw your self a picture/sketch of the mountings and fill your measurements and take it with you.
Take all the measurements you can!! You may find a bucket that is close
that you could take to a welding shop and have them modify to fit.
Also I do not see a hook up to tilt the bucket. I am not familiar
with that loader or tractor, so I can't answer any hydraulic questions.
However, I do like that blade setup. I am going to consider making a similar
blade set up I could clamp to my loader for pushing snow. I especially like
the blade angling set up.

My 300U came to me with a loader and it messed up the steering pretty good. Between some fix of my own and a machine shop we got it fixed. Mine doesn't have power steering. Maybe the steering on a tractor with power steering will work without damage but my recommendation is without power steering don't put a loader on it. Even if it doesn't damage the steering it will take a weight lifter to steer it.

The simple answer to your question is: You measure. Measure your existing loader. Measure the loader you want to mount.

The reality of the situation is that the odds are strongly against you finding another set of loader arms that will fit in the frame. There was no "standard" to loader building, and still isn't. Every brand and model of loader was designed with what the designer thought was "best" and no regards of being compatible with any other loaders, especially the competition's.

You not welding limits your choices to finding an original bucket, having one fabricated, or finding a complete loader, frame and all.

Here's what I would do in your situation: I would start going to consignment auctions. There are always new loader buckets being sold at these auctions for pennies on the dollar. While they have standard skidsteer mounts on them, there is nothing saying they can't be converted to a pin-on. You said you can't weld, but surely there are welding services in your area. Talk to them, see what each would recommend and how much it would cost. There will usually be one outfit that is trying to build their business, and will do the job for significantly less money than the rest. Work with them to get the bucket mounted.

I concur with other replies. I noticed there is no provision on loader fram for bucket control, wither hydraulic dump or manual trip. Finding a different loader may be your best option. As mentioned if you don't have power steering you may have to go to the gym to use a loader.

Paul, here is a conversation from 2007 about a 33A loader, featuring the late Hugh MacKay, who knew what he was talking about. I especially liked his last 2 sentences in the 8:27:30 reply.
https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=farmall&th=591001
iirc, your 300U was a real nice low hour tractor. fwiw, we had a 300U on Dad's farm, with a Superior trip bucket loader added to it. better than a pitchfork, but it wrecked the manual steering box a couple times. as nice as yours is, I would hate to put a very big bucket on it, or preferably none at all.
I am certain that welding shops would be able to mount a small skidsteer type bucket to your frame. there is one in Afton that does a lot of work for farmers around the area. have you considered putting a pan bucket on the fast hitch to move gravel around? if it has FH?

With no power steering, do not try to turn while not moving. your manual steering gear box is a weak point. Purchase a small bucket (one wheel barrow full size load. Have brackets made and welded on. A trip bucket is easiest, but needs a trip release and latching mechanism. A hydraulic tilt bucket is handier, but much more costly and may involve a control valve if your's has only one for the lift action. Power steering parts from Jackson Power Steering company will make it a real usable tractor (worth the cost). There are only salvage parts for repair of the original, no new parts at all, so breaking it is more costly than adding power to it now. The simplest is a front heavy bucket that fits between the Pivot eyes as they are now, with a trip setup. Jim

Agreed. There are a lot of old 33s (or similar) that are laying around as salvage. I bought a complete unit for my 350 for $200. Getting a bucket and the trip the mech should be as easy as running a WTB ad on craigslist for a couple months. No need to go with a big bucket the weight will make it very hard to steer.


As stated below an old loader like that is better than a pitch fork and handy as **** when you need to lift or load something that take more than two men to lift. I was kind of surprised mine lifted my son's SA-200 welder off the back of his truck the other day - made moving it a LOT easier that trying to do it by hand.

Our 300u came with a u34 (a?) loader. Hydraulic dump,both valves stacked on r/s of the seat and the outlets mid mounted.Mounted with 4 bolts, and 4 hose connections.There were 2 receivers bolted to the bolster that 2 pockets on the loader slid over,then 4 bolts against he rear axle that secured a plate against the rear of the axle,holding the loader frame against the front of the axle. You had to hang it from a beam,but it only took 10 minutes on,maybe 5 off. The tractor only had manual steering tho. Mark.

The loader bucket slid over manure forks,which was a pain,and Dad and my Uncle had a 'dozer blade' made for it;you had to pull the loader bucket mounting pins and remove the bucket to to put the blade on. Mark.

Thanks all for the helpful replies! I appreciate the feedback. It's great to see some familiar faces from other forums here!
Sorry four the slow response. I'm 0 for 3 in responding with pictures, my entire message disappears when I attempt to send. I think I've got that figured out now. I will try to answer some of the questions and comments.
I've heard often about the limitations of steering with the 300 utility. Mine does have power steering, I don't know if that helps or hurts. I recently relocated and now live in the Adirondack mountains of NY full time and moving/ piling snow is my # 1 goal for the loader. I'd also like to do some property maintenance and a loader world come in handy. I have a 5 ft mower for grass cutting. Otherwise this is not a daily work tractor.
I'm a bit disappointed but not surprised finding a hydraulic bucket match for my current 33 A frame is going to be difficult. I was hoping there were several other models that would work. From what I've read the "a" in 33a Power Loader frame I have indicates it was designed for hydraulic use. Maybe I will still find someone with the attachments. I don't know whether that set up was designed to use a seperate pump or the one on the tractor. I appreciate the suggestions on keeping the bucket light, taking proper measurements and finding a local welder to modify.
I did find this loader (see pics) on facebook and reached out. I am going to call the owner back. I'd appreciate any suggestions on questions to ask. These are the only pictures available but there may be parts missing. I'd hate to drive 3 hours and spend good money on a lawn ornament. By the way, if it's appropriate on this forum, what would be a fair price for this if it is in w working order.
Again, thanks for the continued input.
Paul