FEL install and removal

grossgary · Oct 29, 2008

I don't really have much use for an FEL on my B7100, but if they're not much of a pain i'd buy one if I came across one.

Roughly how long does it take to install/remove an FEL?
Can you just remove the bucket (most of the weight/size)?

How much is mowing hindered by having an FEL - tight turns, spaces, and extremely sharp inclines (side of mountain)?

Wayne_Freeman · Oct 29, 2008

You will be surprised how fast and easy this is. I have an L3400 and remove the loader to mow because of easier clearance and a better ride from taking the weight off of the front. In my opinion a loader is the best wheelbarrow you ever had for a lot of reasons! After some practice you should be able to go on or off in 5 minutes.

RobertN · Oct 29, 2008

I have an aftermarket loader. It goes on and off very easily. I am sure the factory loader would be the same.

Your chances of coming across one is slim; once people have them they tend to keep them.

And, you're looking at $3000+++ to buy one new... Don't ask me how I know

johan3400 · Oct 29, 2008

Wayne,
I do not mean to argue with you, but I timed taking my loader off my L3400 and it takes me right at 3 minutes, start to finish. I also use my loader for so many things I could not imagine a tractor without a loader at least ready in the shed. I have taken mine off and on and off again up to 4 times per day and still I believe I would be lost without it. It is a wheelbarrow, shovel, blade, brush guard, snow shovel, and vegetable cart all rolled into one machine.

LBrown59 · Oct 29, 2008

grossgary said:
1*I don't really have much use for an FEL on my B7100, but if they're not much of a pain i'd buy one if I came across one. 2*Roughly how long does it take to install/remove an FEL? 3*How much is mowing hindered by having an FEL -

1*Get one & you'll find out how wrong you are.2*I haven't had mine off.3*Don't bother me that much .I have quite a bit of farly large open space on my 2.33 acres and a BX1500 with a MMM to take care of the spots i can't reach with the BX23.

don716 · Oct 29, 2008

Well, I have a B7500 and it takes about 3-4 minutes to remove or replace.Very simple!!! My first time it took about 10 minutes but I got faster and learned more each time.

Donny

grossgary · Oct 29, 2008

wow, i wouldn't have guess that. i guess this means the bucket just unpins or something. that is awesome. i will definitely try to get one then. with the bucket off the arms and mounting brackets don't get in the way of anything? i do a lot of mowing with mine and it's not easy mowing (very steep mountains, tight spaces, etc).

i do know of one for sale, sounds like i need to contact the guy.

thanks!

easygo · Oct 29, 2008

I bought a used B7510 tractor and had the dealer put a new loader on. The quote was $3000 for the LA302 and $2200 for the LA272 in the spring of 07. Bought the 302. They gave me a decent deal on the loader, because had too many used machines on the lot and wanted to move them. I must say that it was money VERY WELL SPENT!!! Removal time as mentioned above 4-5 minutes tops.

Hoosier_Daddy · Oct 29, 2008

Get the loader.... Suddenly you feel like Superman with all the destruction you can do. And, if you get a loader be sure to get a bolt on toothbar.. Will make your digging 2-3 times easier.

emmy71 · Oct 29, 2008

grossgary said:
wow, i wouldn't have guess that. i guess this means the bucket just unpins or something. that is awesome. i will definitely try to get one then. with the bucket off the arms and mounting brackets don't get in the way of anything? i do a lot of mowing with mine and it's not easy mowing (very steep mountains, tight spaces, etc).

i do know of one for sale, sounds like i need to contact the guy.

thanks!

They are talking about taking the whole loader off in 3 to 5 minutes with only the mounting brackets left on the tractor. It is really easy after a couple of times. I tried mowing with mine on once with a rear finish mower and it's really a hand full watching both ends of the tractor when you have to mow around a lot of stuff. Get one and give the wheelbarrow away.

Terry

ronjhall · Oct 30, 2008

I am not sure there is a quick attach FEL available for the B7100. Like the newer model tractors have. Some after market loaders may have this feature. But I do not remember a seeing a Kubota FEL for this model that was quick attach.

grossgary · Oct 30, 2008

ronjhall said:
I am not sure there is a quick attach FEL available for the B7100. Like the newer model tractors have. Some after market loaders may have this feature. But I do not remember a seeing a Kubota FEL for this model that was quick attach.

oh good point - so does anyone know how long it takes to remove a B7100 FEL?

Sherweld · Oct 30, 2008

ronjhall said:
I am not sure there is a quick attach FEL available for the B7100. Like the newer model tractors have. Some after market loaders may have this feature. But I do not remember a seeing a Kubota FEL for this model that was quick attach.

Just got a Westendorf QA FEL for my 1978 B7100 not more than a couple of months ago. Also doing research prior, showed that it should be no problem for just about any brand desired. The B7100 was a very popular model, and there is still a lot of them around.

Sherweld

teg · Oct 30, 2008

grossgary, I think when ronjhall was talking about "quick attach", he was referring to how the bucket attaches to the FEL and not how the FEL attaches to the tractor. You said you know of a FEL for sale... is it designed to work with your tractor specially?

grossgary · Oct 31, 2008

teg said:
You said you know of a FEL for sale... is it designed to work with your tractor specially?

yes it's an FEL with all the bracketry and mounting hardware for a B7100. will this also detach quickly? i don't want one that's going to require lots of work to attach/detach.

teg · Oct 31, 2008

Do you know who built it? I will not know the answer but someone else would be able to tell you...

grossgary · Oct 31, 2008

hmm, i'm assuming it's a Kubota model, but i'll check.

orangebluegreen · Oct 31, 2008

The key is having a hard level surface like concrete, then it takes only minutes off-on. If on dirt and not level don't even think about it.

grossgary · Oct 31, 2008

orangebluegreen said:
The key is having a hard level surface like concrete, then it takes only minutes off-on. If on dirt and not level don't even think about it.

i have that and also can create more of it if needed. thanks!

bialecki · Oct 31, 2008

johan3400 said:
Wayne,
I do not mean to argue with you, but I timed taking my loader off my L3400 and it takes me right at 3 minutes, start to finish. I also use my loader for so many things I could not imagine a tractor without a loader at least ready in the shed. I have taken mine off and on and off again up to 4 times per day and still I believe I would be lost without it. It is a wheelbarrow, shovel, blade, brush guard, snow shovel, and vegetable cart all rolled into one machine.

Add the clamp-on forks and you also have a nice fork lift. I say this because I just bought a pair of Sundowner clamp-on forks and they are great! I removed my new wood stove from the back of my pickup without a glitch and I now wonder how I got along without them.