Front-End Loader My New Coldwater Front-End-Loader (FEL) experience

   / My New Coldwater Front-End-Loader (FEL) experience #1  

kd5hnw

New member
Joined
Mar 27, 2002
Messages
20
Location
Springville, AL
Tractor
2310
My New Coldwater Front-End-Loader (FEL) experience.
Here is my 2 cents worth...

I wanted a new FEL for my Yanmar 2310. So after a lot of reading, blogging, questioning and honestly a lot listening about what to look for in FELs, I recently purchased a FEL online from Coldwater Tractors.

Ordering: Called and spoke with Henry many times before I ordered. When I finally decided to make the purchase he emailed me a PDF invoice for me to verify and approve.

Payment: Coldwater does not accept payment via credit card; only by Check or Bank Transfer. I opted for the Bank Transfer. Transferring money from my bank only cost $15.
This process scared the crapola out of me and I told Henry as much. He verified immediately when his bank acknowledged payment. I slept a little easier that night.

Shipping: Coldwater fabricated and shipped the unit within a week. I arranged for my own shipping. Coldwater packed the FEL on a pallet wrapped in plastic. I was extremely impressed how well and secure this packaging was done. It appeared that an engineer figured out the best way to ship the FEL. Nicely done! It arrived perfect! Henry sent me a picture of the unit on pallet before it left their dock. Weight was around 600lbs.

Delivery: The shipment arrived by truck in about a week. I had it shipped to my office/loading dock. I went back the next day with my S10 truck and small 5x8 utility trailer

Installation: What we got:
A wrapped up pallet containing:
Brace that fits under tractor
Brace that fits in front tractor
Brace adapter plates
All required nuts and bolts
All hydraulic lines pre-installed to FEL (except where connects to my tractor)
All hydraulic connections
Joystick controller
3 cylinders
5ft bucket (thick metal)

We used a hydraulic lift to remove the FEL pieces from the pallet. This is a very handy tool to have around. We un-wrapped the plastic wrap and removed all the packing wire. Once again, this was very well packed.

Everything was in perfect order. Hardest part was to get a mental picture of the end result never seeing this specific model installed. A little trial and error and we had all the nuts and bolts done in a little under 2 hours. Installation was actually very easy.

The next task was to connect the hydraulics.... the pre-connected controller had no markings (we found) for pressure in or out. We winged it and guessed the right line off the controller box was the pressure in connection. Made the cut on tractors hydraulic line and install the new ends. All the standard connections came on the lines. I like the fact that I could go to Napa or any local hydraulic shop and replace any of the connections or lines if I ever needed to. There appears to be nothing proprietary here. Checked the hydraulic fluid level and it was perfect. Started up the tractor and let it sit for a minute or two, then we raised and lowered the still connected box-blade, no worries, then hesitantly tried the FEL... wow, up it went, then down, then up... slow at first, then curled in, then out, up and down... a little sluggish, but responsive.

Turned off the tractor and checked the hydraulic level again. It was pretty low so we added 2 quarts of hydraulic fluid. Started the tractor and worked the FEL and box-blade a little more. The attachments were smoother and more responsive. Turned off tractor and checked fluid again. Right on the money!

Lastly, we secured the new hydraulic lines to the FEL frame with a couple of zip-ties.
Impressed so far - time to try it out - drove over to a pile of dirt and after couple of little rookie maneuvers, picked up and unloaded a couple large loads. Worked like a charm. May even sell my shovels (ok, not really). The front tires may need to be replaced soon (currently 6 ply) to a more substantial tire.

Final Thoughts:
I am definitely happy with this purchase. This FEL was the most expensive (and my wife hopes the last) and largest item we have ever purchased online and Coldwater made the process smooth.

Would I but from Coldwater again? - Yep !

Would I recommend Coldwater FELs to a friend? - Absolutely!

Suggestions for Coldwater? - include instructions with shipped units to end users. The unit was pretty self-explanatory once ya studied it, just would be nice to have a reference. (I made the suggestion to Coldwater and they are considering including instructions and pics in the future)

FYI - I am in no way affiliated with Coldwater Tractors, I am an end home user with a little acreage in North Central Alabama.

Reference:
Coldwater Tractors, Inc.
274 Dekay Rd
Hoquiam, WA 98550
(360)533-2160
Coldwatertractors.com

hope this help someone
73s - kd5hnw (aka james)
 

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   / My New Coldwater Front-End-Loader (FEL) experience
  • Thread Starter
#2  
Sorry the pix are so dirty - we couldn't wait to use it :)
- james
 
   / My New Coldwater Front-End-Loader (FEL) experience #3  
Nicely done:cool: Was lookn' at a koyker FEL for the 240D for a while. It was a long while, cause ended up buying a 790 for an upgrade tractor, it came with an FEL.

You will find most of the time you need to use the tractor, its the loader that darn near half the time gets called on for the work needed....and thats not counting look'n for things to do with it:D

I did not know I needed one so bad till I had one.... kinda like a box blade, simple thing, so applicable to just about anything. All compact tractors should come with them.
 
   / My New Coldwater Front-End-Loader (FEL) experience #4  
My New Coldwater Front-End-Loader (FEL) experience.
Final Thoughts:
I am definitely happy with this purchase. This FEL was the most expensive (and my wife hopes the last) and largest item we have ever purchased online and Coldwater made the process smooth. 73s - kd5hnw (aka james)

Congratulations on the online purchase. Coldwater sounds like they did you up proud. And themselves, too.

I've often thought that one of the under-sung benefits of a FEL is how it protects the health of a person's back muscles. You don't have to sell an old farmer - or their wives - on the benefits of a little tractor with a FEL for lifting and carrying. They already know.
Enjoy it... rScotty
 
   / My New Coldwater Front-End-Loader (FEL) experience #5  
Sorry the pix are so dirty - we couldn't wait to use it :)
- james
Good job - glad it went well. IMO the FEL about doubles the usefulness of a tractor. Do you mind if I ask the cost, and the load rating? It looks well-matched to the tractor - I like those side plates on the frame that bolt to the engine.
 
   / My New Coldwater Front-End-Loader (FEL) experience #6  
I noticed the side plates also and thought they look like a good idea to tie things together. You just doubled the usefulness of your tractor, just need a lot of weight hanging off the back. One thing I noticed and have a question about, was wondering if there's room to flip the control valve and hang it from the bottom of the bracket, that way no hoses sticking up to catch on something. I bet it was satisfying to do all that yourself and seeing it work so well. Have fun in the dirt and when the wife sees how useful it is, you may just get approval for another purchase down the road.:cool:
 

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   / My New Coldwater Front-End-Loader (FEL) experience #7  
Great review and pictures! A followup report after a year of use would be great too.
 
   / My New Coldwater Front-End-Loader (FEL) experience
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Good job - glad it went well. IMO the FEL about doubles the usefulness of a tractor. Do you mind if I ask the cost, and the load rating? It looks well-matched to the tractor - I like those side plates on the frame that bolt to the engine.

We paid $1,800 for exerything (+ shipping that we covered) I believe this is not a secret and it is posted on Coldwater's site. Keep in mind that this purchace was made Dec of 2010, but it does give ya an idea...

I do not know the exact load ratings... hopefully Coldwater will post somje detailed specs for us.
 
   / My New Coldwater Front-End-Loader (FEL) experience
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Great review and pictures! A followup report after a year of use would be great too.

Thx for the pix comments - made all with my phone - ain't that a hoot...
I'd be glad too do a follow up ... anybody want to send me a reminder :)

- james
 
   / My New Coldwater Front-End-Loader (FEL) experience #10  
Good on ya! That's a nice installation. You will find so many things that loader will be useful for, and you'll wonder how you ever got by without.

Don't want to be the safety police or anything, but please be safe when operating the loader. Your Yannie hasn't got a ROPS and will be easy to roll if you get that loader up high with any weight in it. Suggestions:
Keep it low when moving and watch out for potholes and uneven ground. Keep that boxblade on in back or something else that's heavy, and think about ballasting your tires if you haven't already done so.

And don't let your wife know how easy it makes garden and landscape chores or your "honey do" list will get out of hand! :laughing:
 
 
 
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