Help me pick a loader- Bush Hog, Great Bend, Deere

[andrewj]

Hi folks - I have a JD 5105. I am looking to get a loader, and I am inclined to save some money if I can. What are the benefits of these loaders over one another? What are drawbacks?

The loaders I am looking at are the JD 522, the Bush hog 446, great bend 2136.

Is this an easy decision or are all these guys pretty much same quality, same price? thanks for the help.

 

[sandman2234]

Well, your a couple of steps ahead of me! I don't even know what model FEL will fit my JD 2555.
Guess I should do some inquiries.
David from jax

 

[Glenn9643]

Just as a general statement, I think the loader offered by the tractor manufacturer is a safe bet so far as your front axle and other relevent tractor capacities.
Aftermarket loaders might have more lift capacity than your tractor can handle without damage over the long haul. Keep that in mind as you shop, and if you buy something with greater lift capability than the Deere offering. Good luck.

 

[California]

I wasn't able to find Great Bend when I went looking, so you might not get any support from them. Emails bounced with a 'mailbox full' reply and If I remember correctly phone calls did the same.

Finally a poster here showed 'Great Bend' as location so I PM'ed her. She said Great Bend Manufacturing shut down several years ago and BushHog sems to be selling under that name now. I emailed BushHog asking the capacity of my loader but never got a reply.

If anyone has found a path to Great Bend customer support I would like to hear about it.

What I am trying to get answered is: what are the listed specifications for a GB-20 loader?

 

[ronjhall]

Bush Hog has the Great Bend Loaders and BH's listed on their site as a separate line. If you have not seen the site lately, here is a link. Click Here

 

[Latheman]

Woods offers their 1020 loader for the JD5105. This is a very clean looking unit. Very price competive also.

 

[California]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Bush Hog has the Great Bend Loaders and BH's listed on their site as a separate line. If you have not seen the site lately, here is a link. Click Here -ronjhall )</font>

Thanks Ron. Two years ago I didn't get any reply from there. This time I emailed and got a quick reply offering the manual for their current model 220. I wrote back with my original question, specifications for my GB-20 and asking if it is similar to some current model. No reply to that yet.

I think their current products look good, but the old GB's made in Kansas may be orphans if BushHog doesn't have specifications or manuals for them.

 

[have_blue]

Andrew,

Be sure to check out Woods. I once owned one, and wish I still had it.

 

[jmc]

I've heard from several sources that resale is better on a tractor with a matching brand of loader than an independent loader.

With regard to performance, loader design is not rocket science. One brand can have better lift capacity, lift height, OR cycle time, but no one loader can give you all three. Each design must juggle the benefits and compromises.

 

[NATTYBUMPO]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I've heard from several sources that resale is better on a tractor with a matching brand of loader than an independent loader.
)</font>

Yep, I've heard and seen the same thing. The factory loader is made to fit and work well on THAT tractor. Unless the price difference is really substantial, I'd go with the factory setup.

NB