Loader considerations

[tonyrico]

New user and hope mentioning brands doesn't violate this forum.
I am looking at tractors and initially looked at a Kubota L3430 against a JD 990. I leaned towards the Kubota until I found out how little payload it could handle with a grapple installed. Not a brand problem but a horsepower proble.
I have escalated my search to a JD 5105 4wd against a Kubota L4400 both with Loader, Bucket and Grappel. I expect the Kubota to come out at a lower cost, but look to you experienced users to offer opinions. I am convinced though that about 40 - 45HP at the PTO should be minimum for using a loader and for potentially future implement additiona.
What does FEL mean?
thanks all

[hunterridgefarm]

FEL=Front End Loader

The JD 5105 is a nice tractor. I used a friends the other day to help him out.

the Kubota M4900 would compare better with the 5105 than the L4400.
The JD web site will compare the 5105 and M4900.

[IH3444]

Just went through this whole loader thing myself, and decided on the New Holland TC48 with 18LA. Powerful with a large bucket. Paided a little more than a Kioti DK45S, but the loader is a gem. Go to the New Holland Company web site, and scope em out for yourself. Also can recommend enough Antietam tractor in Hagerstown Maryland. The "Corriher's" of the north!

[TexMex]

Be really careful when yo look at loader specs. Bob_Shurka posted a lot on tthem and Kubota shows loader specs at the bucket center, JD shows them at the pivot point. Also New Holland shows them at the bucket center. Kioti only show pivot point. When the pivot point numbers are used, the ratings look higher. When the bucket center is used, the ratings look lower but are more accurate. So companies that use pivot point are tricking you into believeing the loader lifts more than it really does.

[IH3444]

CorrectO! Tex. I also spoke with Andrew at Iowa farm Equipent, very, very helpful fellow. He also told me that many of the farmers had those self leveling loader out in the mid west, but didn't like them very much at all. He said that they just didn't feel like they were in control of the bucket, and were still constantly adjusting the load. He also told me that Rhino made the sloped down boom loader for the New Hollands. The 16LA, and 18LA models. Hope this helps.

[Donnyj]

I find it very ironic that NH uses the self leveling loader on there industrial backhoes. My father has a 2000 NH 555 with the self leveling and it works fine, just like my loader does. As far as the pivot pin specs mentioned earlier, Kubota also lists pivot pin specs as well along with bucket specs. I agree that the pivot pin specs are misleading if the average consumer does not understand the difference, but if you compare pivot pin specs to both tractors, you will be able to do a fair comparision, just like I did. I don't believe Kioti is trying to mislead or trick consumers. For what it is worth if you go over to the Nebraska Testing web site you will find NH fails quite a bit. John Deere passes almost 100 %. Hmmm. Kubota and Kioti and others don't even participate. For what the average consumer does with a tractor any loader will perform well. Yes some are stronger than others and some have better visibility. The loaders on these tractors pick up a tremendous amount of weight. Make sure you get the size tractor and loader that will meet your needs, but remember these tractors are not track loaders or construction equipment. Use them within there intended use and everything will be fine.

[n4807g]

Here's a simple rule for any tractor:

Buy the biggest machine you think you can afford to do the job. You will never buy a tractor that's too big, but you most certainly will buy one that's too small = underpowered.

You should also look at tractors outside the big brand names. Since none of the tractors are made in the USA there all imports. The one nice thing about the off brand tractors is the much lower price you'll pay. With that savings you can buy all the implements you'll need. As far as the Front End Loader is concerned, go to Koykers website. They'll match virtually any machine to the recommended loader and you can look up the specs.

[flwiii]

Amen on that statement. I made that mistake about 5 months ago and so I have purchased a larger tractor just last week.

flwiii

[n4807g]

yes sir.........!

[IH3444]

Amen brother! That's why I decided to move up a frame size to the TC48. Here's a view from the top, with that .64 cu. yd. bucket. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]