brand or off brand loader ?

[Mailman17]

I'm going to buy a new tractor in the near future . I was thinking about buying a Woods or BushHog brand loader instead of the name brand. Are they just as good ? Priced about the same ?

 

[mark4Jesus]

I had a Bush Hog loader put on a tractor last year. The price was a tad less that others, don't remember by how much. I believe that Bush Hog builds everything very well. The loader worked great, and was easy to use. It was their smallest one, 1846QT was the model number I believe. I was very pleased with it and it was what I missed most about getting rid of that tractor.

 

[RedRiver]

Depends on what brands of tractors you are looking at but I would say the Bush Hog and Woods loaders are just as good as the KMW and Buhler loaders that Mahindra sells on their tractors. The difference is that the BushHog and Woods are going to be more expensive.

Also a lot of tractor manufacturers will void the warranty if there is a loader they don't sell on the tractor. Long story short, I'd get the loader the dealer is selling with the tractor. Just make sure you ask about the warranty.

 

[thcri]

I agree with RedRiver.

If you get a loader of another brand and you have troubles you may be out on your own. I am sure if the tractor has problems that is not effected by the loader you will be covered. But if something serious was to happen that is an excuse for the manufacture to get out.

Some people have had good experiences doing this while others have had bad. Me? I stay with the manufacture.


murph

 

[sr160009]

I have had a bushhog FEL for about 7 years now and my uncle has the same type of FEL as mine. We both have not had any problems, they work great. I not sure the model number, but I am running it with a Massey ferguson 231 and my uncle has his on a Massey ferguson 451 I think. I can't remember the price difference but it was cheaper than the Massey FEL. Here is a Pic of mine.

 

[dweitzel]

What type tractor, model number, Hp etc are your putting it on? 4 or 2 wheel drive? Type of tires, and intended uses for the loader?

There are differences on mounting points and how the loader is mounted. Woods built the original loders for the 7360ss Cub I own and I can assure you that they really thought out the mounting points. It bolts to the side of the engine/transmission, a heavy 5/16" plate wraps under the Trans/engine and effectively "ties" the engine/trans and loader mounts together. They also added bars that mount to this point at the trans and mount to the bottom of the rear axel. This transfers the shock load not only at the mid point of the tractor, but all along the tractor and its entire frame.

Decide on if you need a quick attach loader to remove occasionally or if it will stay on.

Look at the availability of a removable cutting edge and tooth bar if required. Look at the left and right edges of the bucket. Are they reinforced or just 1/8" metal? Do you need a quick attach skid type bucket that can come off and other attachments like pallet forks attached?

Post some more info on type/size of tractor and intended uses and I'll try to help you out with what works for me and what others use their FEL for.

Dave

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I was thinking about buying a Woods or BushHog brand loader instead of the name brand.

Just curious but why not stick with the OEM loader?

Seems to me that the OEM loader is

• designed to work with the specific tractor
• runs a 0.00% risk of voiding a warrenty
• has an appropriate capacity for your tractor
• has a control valve that allows multiple simultaneous functions

Seems to me an aftermarket brand loader is

• designed to "fit" tractors sized similarly to yours
• has a modest risk of voiding a warrenty
• may have enough capacity to break your tractor
• may claim more capacity than it delivers (because the claims are generic they are made based on specific pressures and flows, which your specific may not be able to generate)
• may, or may not, have multiple simultaneous functionality

I suppose if budget is the biggest factor and it is very tight and the aftermarket loader is substantially less expensive, or if there is a specific problem with the OEM loader then it might be pretty reasonable to go with an aftermarket brand. But generally I think the 'unknown' factors of an aftermarket loader outweigh the benefits. JMHO

 

[Mailman17]

I am going to buy a major name tractor, I'm not sure which one for sure. It's going to be 4wd and 45 to 60 HP. I would like it to be quick attach where I can change from a loader bucket to pallet forks, etc. All I am really wanting to know is if the quality of a Woods or a Bushhog is just as good as the name brand. I have heard in some cases they are actually better than the name brand.

 

[mark4Jesus]

I put the Bush Hog loader on a 13 year old Kubota, so warranty was not an issue with me. The Massey dealer where I got my present tractor, it was bought used also, sells Bush Hog and MF loaders and will put either on a tractor. He did not mention anything about affecting the warranty. My tractor was still under warranty when I bought it, I just couldn't afford one at the time. When I do add one I will probably go with the MF because, as Bob said, they are designed for that tractor.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I am really wanting to know is if the quality of a Woods or a Bushhog is just as good as the name brand.

Define "as good"

Woods/Bushhog probably makes loaders for some tractors companies and sells them as OEM. The quality is not really the big question.

The bigger question is the performance with a particular machine. That is where things get really dicy because of the differing specs. The loader is going to be rated for capacity at ABC PSI and ABC gpm flow rate. The tractor may be rated at XYZ PSI and XYZ gpm flow rate. PSI and GPM determine the cycle rates, capacity, etc. Spool valve design determines the functionality of the controls. Lower priced loaders often use spool valves that are single function, but the same brand loader in a higher grade version may have a multifunction spool valve. It will be difficult to tell what the actual performance of the loader will be as it compares to the OEM loader. So if "as good" includes cycle rates, capacity, fit, etc then the question is tougher to answer.

You also said you want a quick attach bucket and pallet forks. I think every brand of OEM and every brand of aftermarket offers that feature. Many offer it as a standard feature, some as an option. All you have to do is order a set a forks when you order the tractor, loader, bucket, etc.