The Best Front-End Loaders for Vintage & Modern John Deere and Kubota Garden Tractors
If you own a classic John Deere or a dependable Kubota garden tractor, you already know these machines were built to last. But if you want to unlock their true potential, adding a Front-End Loader (FEL) transforms your garden tractor into a heavy-lifting powerhouse.
Finding the right loader can be a challenge. Original manufacturer loaders are hard to find, and navigating the aftermarket options requires knowing exactly what your tractor can handle.
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve put together a transparent, objective guide to the most popular front-end loaders and bucket attachments on the market today for John Deere and Kubota owners.
1. OEM John Deere Loaders (Model 40 & Similar)
For many purists, tracking down an original, vintage John Deere Model 40 loader is the dream.
The Background: True OEM parts that match the vintage aesthetic of older John Deere tractors perfectly.
The Reality: These are no longer manufactured, making them incredibly rare and difficult to find on the used market. When you do find them, they often require extensive rebuilding, new seals, or custom fabrication to safely mount to your specific tractor model.
2. Compact Tractor and Components (CTC)
Based out of Wausau, Wisconsin, CTC manufactures traditional, full-scale aftermarket front-end loaders.
The Background: These are well-built, heavy-duty machines designed for owners looking for a massive, traditional full-sized hydraulic loader setup.
The Reality: Because they are large, full-scale hydraulic builds, they come with a higher price point, longer lead times, and a large footprint that can make storage or quick detachment a bit more of a chore.
3. Johnny Products (Johnny Bucket)
Also built in Wisconsin, Johnny Products takes a different approach by offering the "Johnny Bucket"—an actuator-powered bucket attachment.
The Background: Because it utilizes electric lift and dump actuators instead of a complex tractor hydraulic system, it’s an accessible option for tractors that completely lack onboard hydraulics.
The Reality: Actuator-powered systems have a limited lift height (often lifting just enough to clear the ground or stack small piles) and lower lifting capacities compared to true hydraulic front-end loaders.
4. LGM Loaders
Similar to Johnny Products, LGM focuses on electric actuator-powered loader options.
The Background: A decent entry-level option for light material scraping and moving mulch across a flat yard without needing to tap into hydraulic fluid lines.
The Reality: Like all electric actuator systems, they lack the rapid speed, lift height, and heavy-duty breakout force that true hydraulic cylinders provide.
5. Little Buck Loaders
Built right here in Illinois, Little Buck Loaders were engineered specifically to bridge the gap between heavy, cumbersome commercial loaders and lightweight electric actuators.
The Background: Designed specifically for John Deere and Kubota tractors equipped with 4 hydraulic quick-connect outlets, these loaders tap directly into your tractor’s native hydraulic power plant.
The Reality: By using your tractor's existing hydraulics, you get true lift height (high enough to dump into a pickup truck or utility trailer), instantaneous power, and heavy-duty breakout force—all in a compact design that ships fully assembled. It gives you maximum capability without overwhelming your tractor's frame or requiring custom welding and fabrication.
Finding Your Perfect Match
At Little Buck Loader, we believe an aftermarket loader should work with your tractor, not against it. That's why our loaders ship fully assembled and ready to mount—no welding, grinding, or modifying your tractor's frame required. You get a seamless fit, heavy-duty steel construction, and a system you can attach or detach in just a couple of minutes.