LA243 vs. LA243A and Quick Atach

[robertm]

Has anyone been able to confirn the differences between these loaders for thd BX series? Id like to put the QA on my BX2660 with the LA243, but supposedly, Kubota says NO. I have scrutinized the two loaders, and I find them to be exactly the same in appearance. When comparing the specs, there is not one difference. Unless there is some "special steel" somewhere in the LA243A, I call hogwash on any differences, but before I drop any Franklins, Id like to know. Thanks!

 

[vanb]

It fits the 243. I have the QA on my bx2350. Fits just fine.

 

[robertm]

Thanks vanb. Do you have the forks? If so, any issues. How heavy are they? Thanks.

 

[vanb]

Yes, I have the forks. They work great. They are a bit heavy ( fork carriage 90lbs. Forks 81lbs each) when you add the QA and moving out the lifting point on the loader. I just make sure that I have enough rear ballast when using them.

 

[robertm]

Yes, I have the forks. They work great. They are a bit heavy ( fork carriage 90lbs. Forks 81lbs each) when you add the QA and moving out the lifting point on the loader. I just make sure that I have enough rear ballast when using them.

I was going to say "Wow" on the weight, but even the other aftermarket vendors are at 125-150# for the carriage and 30# for EACH fork. That's heavier than the Kubota brand. 80# per for, though,would seem excessive, but I'll bet they are solid Kubota forks, not channel like the others. I'd love a pic or two of the fork setup if you have a few minutes sometime.

Thanks!

 

[robertm]

I was going to say "Wow" on the weight, but even the other aftermarket vendors are at 125-150# for the carriage and 30# for EACH fork. That's heavier than the Kubota brand. 80# per for, though,would seem excessive, but I'll bet they are solid Kubota forks, not channel like the others. I'd love a pic or two of the fork setup if you have a few minutes sometime. Thanks!

I'd better learn to add. Guess aftermarket is lighter at 210# versus Kubota's 260#.

Then again, if you want the front blade attachment, it's only the Kubota, and the QA loader blade is a lot nicer than the aftermarket clip on bucket mounts IMHO.

 

[vanb]

Here are some pics from last year when I bought them. Yes, the 36" forks are solid.

 

[polarred21]

So is this quick attach merely an adapter that fits between the standard loader frame and bucket?

 

[robertm]

So is this quick attach merely an adapter that fits between the standard loader frame and bucket?

Look it up on Kubota. Its an adapter, but allows removal of the bucket to go to forks orva blade.

 

[polarred21]

Look it up on Kubota. Its an adapter, but allows removal of the bucket to go to forks orva blade.

Thanks. I guess I was looking for a pic of the adapter by itself not installed. I have a set of 3 point hitch forks (although tractorless right now) and was just curious.

Half the time the pdf files won't open for me on the Kubota wed site....no bigee.

 

[robertm]

Vanb,
Why did you ultimately select the Kubota QA? I really like the Tach-N-Go, and talking with Jery, he's been a saint. I am having a hard time getting over the immovable forks due to no adjustability, and storage... Taking up floor space.
The Tach-N-Go is the lightest of all at 110#. If I recall, the Jaris Setup is 200#, and the Kubota QA is 252#.
Thanks.

 

[vanb]

I ended up going with the Kubota QA because...
1. I really liked the tach-n-go design, but the immovable forks killed it for me. Also, the price of just his QA was double Kubota's
2. I looked at Jari's, I liked the weight of their forks, but was worried that I might bend them ( I use the forks to dig out stumps and shrubs)
3. I would have liked to get Jerry's tach n go and Kubota forks, but cost was more than the total Kubota package. And I wasn't sure if they would work together( most likely they would)
4 I want to get a Cotech 60" snow pusher or the Kubota FEL snow plow next year moving snow

 

[robertm]

I ended up going with the Kubota QA because... 1. I really liked the tach-n-go design, but the immovable forks killed it for me. Also, the price of just his QA was double Kubota's 2. I looked at Jari's, I liked the weight of their forks, but was worried that I might bend them ( I use the forks to dig out stumps and shrubs) 3. I would have liked to get Jerry's tach n go and Kubota forks, but cost was more than the total Kubota package. And I wasn't sure if they would work together( most likely they would) 4 I want to get a Cotech 60" snow pusher or the Kubota FEL snow plow next year moving snow

I agree with everything you have said, and I'm in exactly the same position. I confirmed last night I need movable forks. I don't dig as I have a toothbar, but I have some small pallets I plan to build for items I want to store on shelves, and I can't afford room to make them larger or wider. Plus I keep thinking of the versatility I will lose, but very well may never use. If TachNGo had movable forks it would be a no brainer for me.

I intend to buy the loader blade before winter, too, and I can't imagine it not working with any systems since they all attach to the factory bucket without modification. The TachNGo looks beefier than all, but again, the cost alone is more that 2X the Kubota, and the immovable forks break the deal. Also, the floor space the TachNGo forks take up is wasted space the others don't need after 30 second disassembly.

 

[robertm]

Well, Kubota got back to me. Someone who I dont think has a clue. He told me the LA243 is for the BX2360, and the LA243A was designed for the BX2660... what I have. Im almost sure they didnt even make a LA243A loader four years ago, so hiw could it have been designed for the BX2660? As expected,they would not commit to use of the QAon the straight LA243.

I found Kubota spec book on line today, which shows the QA for all the new 70-series BX's, with any of the three loaders made for the BX's. That includes the LA243 loader. If the QA is shown to be usedon all of these loaders, then why should Kubota not comment? Personally, I think its all about sales as later in the specs, it contradicts by saying the QA should not be used with the LA243 because the LA243A is designed for it... reinforced. Yeah. If the LA243 is for the BX2370 as the Customer Service advised me today, apoarrently only the BX2670 can use the QA, since its the ONLY BX MODEL to use the LA243A loader.

Clear as mud? Yeah, I thought so. I'm working with Jery ar TachNGo for some movable forks, and as soon as I see what he comes up with, I'll pull the trigger on a QA and forks for my substandard unreinforced LA243.

 

[robertm]

So I have to take it back. After Kubota got back to me, I resent an email.The next day I get a call, and after some phone tag, I talked with this hard working guy who dug to get answers.

Ina nutshell, he agrees the 243 and 243A loaders are likely the same, but the 243A has some reinforcing somewhere that neither of us can find. Im betting the LA243 will become obsolete and someone looking to buy a loader for their older machine will need to buy a LA243A.

The other thing he said is usually when Kubota updates something like a tractor, the model becomes a "dash one", like a BX25D-1, and the when and why for the change is noted specifically in the system. Tbe system shows no specifics except that it has additional reinforcement. In comparison to other model, it looks minimal, and since its not obvious, Im susoect if it even exists at all.

I'm waiting for Jery at TachNGo for the design on some movable forks. Hes real busy so I told him to take 6-8 weeks. Now im biting my tongue. I may have to call and change the weeks to a few less.

 

[vanb]

http://www.everythingattachments.co...pact-Pallet-Forks-p/cal-pallet-fork-cpk42.htm

I don't want to say, I told you so....but, I've had them on my 2006 bx for a year. The link above are for pallet forks that are 42" and weigh a bit less than Kubota's fork+fork carriage.

 

[robertm]

Construction Attachments 42" Kubota BX series Pin-On pallet forks for LA203 and LA243 Loaders

I don't want to say, I told you so....but, I've had them on my 2006 bx for a year. The link above are for pallet forks that are 42" and weigh a bit less than Kubota's fork+fork carriage.

I looked at those. For the cost I'm hopeful to go with Jery.

 

[polarred21]

Construction Attachments 42" Kubota BX series Pin-On pallet forks for LA203 and LA243 Loaders

I don't want to say, I told you so....but, I've had them on my 2006 bx for a year. The link above are for pallet forks that are 42" and weigh a bit less than Kubota's fork+fork carriage.

Do you know the weight of these?

 

[vanb]

220lbs is what the specs say. Kubota set up is 250lbs

 

[robertm]

What I like about Jery's is the lighter weight, and am hopeful that once he comes up with a movable fork set, the forks will also adapt to the three point like his movable forks do. I suspect his movable fork set will weigh in at about 150... Still much less than the Everything's at 220lbs.