Front-End Loader Front end loaders

   / Front end loaders #1  

triplets

New member
Joined
Mar 1, 2003
Messages
11
Location
greenville,alabama
Tractor
1999 Kubota L3010
I plan to buy a tractor in the near future with a loader. I have seen several different models to choose from (loaders). Some have only one cylinder on the front bucket and others have two,one on each side. Wich is the best design? Mike
 
   / Front end loaders #2  
Hello Mike--The best advice I can give, would to always try to purchase the loader that is made by the company that built your tractor. You will have a overall better experience. The aftermarket loaders are usually fine for older tractors that need a FEL added. I am sure there are other trains of thought on this subject, This is just our way of doing things after 26 years in this business. Trial and Error has been a good teacher----Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co.
 
   / Front end loaders #3  
I just spent a year looking at various FELs and looked at name brands including the factory New Holland (7308), Woods, Great Bend and Bush Hog. None of the ones I looked at had only a single hydraulic cylinder on the bucket. So, there must be an advantage to have 2 or so many manufacturers wouldn't use 2.

As for staying with the same brand as the tractor, most do, but there are quite a few folks that have non-factory brand loaders and are very happy with them. I just ordered a Bush Hog for my New Holland tractor. The Bush Hog has a higher reach, higher lift capacity, Quick Attach mount (and 1 less bracket to get in the way than the 7308 loader which has one going from the mid part of the tractor to the front on each side), matching color, and I'm getting the Skid Steer compatible Quick Attach bucket for less than a New Holland FEL would have been without the Quick Attach bucket. If you do decide to get a factory brand FEL, get it when you buy the tractor, since they are much more expensive to add on later. Non factory brand FELs are much cheaper to add on later.
 
   / Front end loaders #4  
Danny,

I believe that the after market loaders may have some qualities that make them better than the one designed by the manufacturer. But I still question the big price difference of putting the loader on now versus later. Today I was at my dealers open house and I asked how much to put a loader on on my TC29D and he told me $2,600.00 unless I have already mounted the MMM which would then add a hundred bucks or so cause they have to take the mounts for it off and then put back on. He told me $2,800 maximum. If I remember right in one of the other posts you told me $4,500 for the 7308 added after the tractor was picked up??

Just information I guess.


murph
 
   / Front end loaders #5  
Murph - Your guess is as good as mine as to why prices vary so much. I checked with 3 or 4 dealers in south central Indiana and they were all within $100 of each other. I wish I could have gotten the factory FEL for $2800, but I just couldn't do it around here!
 
   / Front end loaders #6  
I always have known that the area can make a big difference, but you wouldn't think that big of difference. And believe me, I do believe you. The whole thing is just kind of weird.

You might find that like that loader better anyway and worth paying over what my dealer quoted for it.

murph.
 
 
 
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