How to Take the Bucket Off a Cub Cadet 7274 Tractor

Start the Cub Cadet tractor and move the tractor to the location where you need to store the bucket. Lower the boom slowly to the ground until it stops against the ground.

Adjust the bucket control so the open face curls upward. Stop as the front wheels of the tractor begin to lift slightly off the ground. Have an assistant wedge a scrap of 2-by-4 under the front of the bucket to keep it from rocking forward when detached.

Pull the two linchpins from the side braces of the bucket and set them aside. Slowly adjust the bucket control to raise the side bucket braces to disconnect the bucket from the arms. Only raise the arms about an inch or 2.

Switch the tractor engine off and continue moving the bucket control level in every direction to relieve the hydraulic pressure in the system. This makes it easier to reconnect the bucket later with the pressure already reduced.

Locate the quick connect hydraulic lines that run from the arms to the bucket. Work from the outside in to remove the connections. First unscrew the yellow coupler and then gently rock the connection until it pulls free. Repeat this with the red, blue and finally green lines.

Place the small rubber plugs connected to the end of the hydraulic lines onto the now released couplers. These keep dirt and other debris from getting into the lines or the connection mechanism.

Turn the tractor engine back on and slowly reverse the machine so it pulls away from the bucket. Add any other braces to the now released bucket to keep it from shifting or falling over.