Loaders

[dreeds]

I am buying a Jinma 284SE and the dealer has quoted a Coldwater FEL. I know that quite a few people recommend the Koyker loader as well, but that's an additional $1800. What are the differences between the loaders and why would one cost so much more. I believe the Koyker has the better joystick-type controls versus a two-lever control on the Coldwater, so that's probably part of the added cost.

 

[3RRL]

I am buying a Jinma 284SE and the dealer has quoted a Coldwater FEL. I know that quite a few people recommend the Koyker loader as well, but that's an additional $1800. What are the differences between the loaders and why would one cost so much more. I believe the Koyker has the better joystick-type controls versus a two-lever control on the Coldwater, so that's probably part of the added cost.

Hi dreeds,
I have some specific information that might be of value to you.
I purchased a 2008 Jinma 284 with the ZL-20 loader and valve for my wife, Loretta. The tractor itself is GREAT but I can tell you right now you will be better off with the Koyker loader than the stock fel for a number of reasons and regardless of the extra cost...it's well worth it!
I can make a direct comparison for you since I have a Koyker 195 on my Kama and immediately noticed the significant differences between the Koyker and Jinma loaders. I don't know what size yours will be though.

To start off,
-I think the Koyker fel mounting brackets and fel arms are better built and more heavy duty.
-The bucket will be a better, stronger bucket.
-Not sure, but I think lifting capacity might be greater.
-The stock fel has the curl cylinders hit against the fel arms at full dump.
-That ends up bowing the cylinder rods which happened on my wife's 284.
-Other members have noticed the same thing on theirs.
-If that blows or breaks you are down and out more time and money.
-The curl on the stock fel leaves the bucket almost parallel to the ground so stuff falls out during transport.
-The Koyker curls up almost 30 degrees so stuff stays in the bucket.
-You can use the curl to pry up trees or rocks.
-The Koyker has built in stops for max curl and dump positions, the stock one doesn't.
-I modified the Jinma loader to have those Koyker features.
-The shape of the buckets are different and the Koyker is better for handling not only loose material, but branches, rocks, logs etc.
-The stock ZL-20 valve is not very good.
-I ended up buying RanchHand's replacement fel valve and hoses.
-The RanchHand valve has a Power Beyond port for powering valves down the line in your hydraulic system.
-It also has float and rapid regen.
-The stock Koyker valve will have those features too whereas the stock ZL-20 valve does not.
All this cost a lot of time an money to correct.
I am urging you to spend the extra money for the Koyker loader. It is well worth the difference in price and there is no substitute for convenience compared to the dissatisfying performance or lack of, or time and money for repairs or mods to the stock loader. Lucky for me I was able to do all the machining and welding myself (at my place), but the new valve and hoses were at least 5 to 6 hundred bucks by themselves.
That's my 2 cents...
Rob-

Here are some threads where I talk about it.
My New Jinma

Add More Bucket Curl to Jinma 284

ZL-20 Valve Comparison

My Very Own Grapples

 

[Diamondpilot]

Rob is right on all points. I have a 2003 Jinma 254/284 and the dealer I got mine from only had the Jinma ZL20 loader. I replace the valve and hoses after 2 years of disappointment. Like Rob said it cost about $500 to do just this one mod. I also bought a Koyker 160 bucket for mine and had a welding/fab shop modify it to fit the Jinma loader. The Jinma bucket lacked in curl like Rob said but the thing I really never cared for was the width, it is narrower than the tractor. The Koyker bucket I now have is as wide if not 6" wider than the tractor. I still use the Jinma bucket from time to time like when I dug my sidewalks out because it was a better width and now has teeth but for all around use I like the wider bucket. I also had to make supports to go from the rear axle to the bell housing mounts like Koyker and Spirit has to eliminate stress. This cost me nothing but some scrape steel and time with my welder but has to be done or you will eventually have problems.

End result, get the Koyker or Spirit Loader.

Chris

 

[studor]

I have a Spirit loader on my 284 and aside from one leak created by routing a power steeing hose incorrectly, it performs very well and without problems. It is a joystick control with float and after reading about the chinese loader and trying it out on a machine at the dealer, I figured the Spirit was worth the extra money -- JMHO
Regards
Steve

 

[Diamondpilot]

One other thing to consider is the size of the bucket and cylinder. Larger cylinder will allow it to lift more but will be slower. I went out and measured my Jinma ZL20 bucket and its 4 1/2 feet wide. My Koyker bucket is 5 feet wide.

Chris

 

[jeff_jeff]

I bought an add on coldwater loader for my 2420, saved a bunch of money by picking it up in the yard they are made. Nothing fancy about it, and it does have only the single bucket tilt cylinder and no float, - but for me, a weekend user, there was no reason to spend extra money, and it was fine for what I needed. So I would say it depends on what you plan to do with it....

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Pretty interesting - Northern is selling Koyker loaders. If you have a local store they may be able to order it for you to save shipping.

Check out Item# 188802 for example. In the pics you can see the Koyker labels.
Portable Generators, Pressure Washers, Heaters, Hand + Power Tools | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[dreeds]

Thanks everyone. One thing I notice about the recommended 140 or 160 Koyker loaders for the 284 is that they are 48" whereas the Coldwater and Spirit loaders are 60". (I never considered the Jinma FEL, so I don't know what those are). Has anyone seen this 48" width as a limitation?

 

[Diamondpilot]

You can get the 60" bucket on the Koyker 160. You do not want a 48" bucket on a 284. The Jinma 284 has adjustable wheel widths, 2 widths for the front and 4 for the rear. With a FEL installed you want to got wide for stability. This will make the tractor roughly 60" wide so that is why I got the bigger bucket and had it adapted to fit my Jinma loader.

The Jinma bucket is 54" wide, not quite wide enough to cover the wheel tracks.

Get a Koyker or Spirit Loader and spec a 60" bucket.

Chris

 

[3RRL]

Loretta's 284 has the wheels at their widest setting.
It has the 48" Jimna bucket and I hate it. It's a small bucket to work with and takes a lot more trips when moving material.
Wish it had the 60" bucket on it.