Buying Advice Is the Front End Loader worth it?

[4570Man]

My loader is already SSQA equipped. Thanks though. I'm really not worried about the minor lift capacity loss. The benefits far outweigh the negatives.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

There is a 'hot' thread on this subject, with 40 replies:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/347979-do-i-need-fel-2.html#post4289315



Many new tractor owners end up buying a heavier, more-powerful tractor within two years.

If you buy the FEL now you will get a good portion of your purchase price back at time of sale.

Tractors sold used, without FELs, tend to go for low prices, because prospective buyers calculate the cost of adding an FEL before making an offer, and FELs are MUCH more expensive ($5,000 - $6,000) purchased stand-alone. ((So you end up paying for an FEL, whether you get one or not.))

My local Kubota dealer has a no-loader Kubota L3240 on his lot in this situation. He would only accept the L3240 as a consignment.



Take a look at the new Kubota L2501 before committing to a BX. With an L2501 you can pull 5' implements, rather than 4' implements and mounting implements is easier because there is more open space around the Three Point Hitch.

I ran into this price thing when looking for a FEL for the old MF 265. A new one was going to run about $6K. I found a JD 310 backhoe for $7200 and use it more hours than the MF. I enjoy the MF in tight places without a FEL too.

Regardless I agree a FEL may be the one best implement to have especially when the back is gone due to age/abuse.

I also agree there is a place for the sub compact FEL on most any size farm.

Hands down the old worn out 12K pound backhoe is the best thing I have used to 'unstick' things from a tractor to a dump truck (if axle is not down on the ground). The hoe is one pulling sucker but they make a tractor too long for daily usage.

varmit I would love to have the blade attachment like you have on your FEL. :thumbsup:

 

[coobie]

Two words HECK YES and if you decide to sell and trade up some day it will increase the value of your tractor..

 

[paulfun9]

Like everyone else here I would definitely suggest getting the loader. Its downright amazing the uses most find for it besides moving dirt.

 

[mecan]

If you have use for a shovel, wheelbarrow or a cart then the fell is worth it

 

[MF283]

Get the loader, do the work you want done & at the end if you think you don't need it, sell it.
I'll never own another tractor without one, well i'd like to have an old one just to putt around on

Ronnie

 

[BlackOps]

Ridiculous question. I use it ALL the time. so far have not used the mid mower unit. That was an extra for when really needed. The FEL is the Reason WHY i bought the thing in the first place.

 

[GManBart]

IMO a loader is a big asset when buying a tractor. I wouldn't buy one without a loader. I'd also say on a resale value later that more people would want a tractor with a loader. If its only 3K more for a loader then go for it. You'll find many uses for a loader. I use mine for gravel, dirt, snow, lifting, hanging deer, and many other uses and if you get a quick attach loader you can swap the bucket out for a set of forks or other QA implements.

Nailed it!

 

[newbury]

My loader is already SSQA equipped. Thanks though. I'm really not worried about the minor lift capacity loss. The benefits far outweigh the negatives.

Does the B7100 have SSQA?

 

[yankeerider]

When I bought my tractor back around 1992, my wife (and home chief financial officer) questioned the wisdom of getting the FEL. Within one year she agreed that it had been a wise investment, and today she cannot imagine how we could have got along without one. I can't imagine a stronger argument in favor of getting one at the time of purchase.

 

[TJP89]

No FEL on a SCUT??????????? Those things are built to have a FEL. The FEL is the most useful attachment it is possible to have on a tractor. You will find all kinds of uses for it. If you need to move ANYTHING, you will use the FEL. Well worth the 3K. Personally, I wouldn't buy a new tractor without one. Two uses I used mine for that are a little out of the ordinary, unexpected, and likely dangerous: Pulling the ancient refrigerator out of the basement, and cleaning the gutters on the polebarn (kid in bucket, works great). I've also used it to hoist heavy building materials into position and lift the roof of a wood lean-to back on after it blew off (long story). And that's just some of the uncommon uses, forget the everyday ones, I'd be here all day.

 

[Garycw]

I think you've got your answer 20 fold. Yes they are great to have on any tractor. Especially if they're easy to take off & on. When we got the H120 with the 1025r they had it for $750 off + 60 months 0%. The loader makes the tractor, but is still my main mower too.
Just remember on the light scuts w/fel, propper ballast , bucket low, slow & easy with ROPS Up, and seat belt On! Always!

 

[4570Man]

Does the B7100 have SSQA?

My B7100 doesn't have a loader, and I don't want one either. The B7100 doesn't have power steering which puts a real damper on the loader. I use it solely as a heavy duty lawn mower. I only paid 3,000 dollars for it. You can't get a better diesel powered mower for that. The L3240 and My grandpas L3800 is SSQA equipped.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I think having a loader is best thing about having a tractor, without a loader I would get a good mower.
Ron

yup, if you don't need an FEL then you really don't need a tractor for what you're doing.

 

[flusher]

I bought my 2008 Mahindra 5525 new from Dave's Tractor in Red Bluff, CA. Dave posts often on TBN "DavesTractor".
He's a western states distributor for Mahindra. I'd say 99% of the tractors he sells has an FEL. Maybe 100%. And for the past several years, every one of those FELs has the skid steer quick attach (SSQA) option included in the package. That's how popular these things are.

Don't shoot yourself in the foot. Get an FEL with SSQA and pass along the cost when you upgrade to a larger tractor (we all upgrade sooner or later).

Good luck.

 

[jaydee325]

I broached the subject of getting a tractor with a loader for many years. My wife kept pulling me back due to the costs.

A couple of years ago, the power utility came in and clear cut the power line that runs along the back of our property and of course left a mess. We worked an entire weekend using my garden tractor and trailer to clean up. Barely made a dent and we were tiered and had sore backs.

She says, "how much are one of those tractors with a loader?"

The following spring I started shopping and bought my LS. Took me less than a weekend and I had the whole mess cleaned up. She said we should have gotten a tractor with a loader 20 years ago!

Moral of the story is you will find many projects to use a loader on even if you think now you won't.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
Don't shoot yourself in the foot. Get an FEL with SSQA and pass along the cost when you upgrade to a larger tractor (we all upgrade sooner or later).

Good luck.

The OP is looking at a small tractor, on Kubota .com SSQA is not listed, just Kubota's QA which eliminates the benefit of being able to use a wide range of skid steer implements.
And in order to pass along the cost you've got to sell your great little tractor. I think everyone should have two tractors and 3 chain saws. When I "upgraded" from my B7610 to my M4700 it allowed me to use a tractor at two places, one in Virginia, one in Mississippi without trailering.

 

[4570Man]

Not having SSQA doesn't eliminate the benefits of having QA. It certainly does limit the possible choices for implements.

 

[Garycw]

. I think everyone should have two tractors and 3 chain saws. .

I find that not to even be enough. I prefer to change tractors instead of implements

 

[4570Man]

I have two chainsaws. I got them both stuck once. I had to go borrow my Grandpas saw. I could have changed the bar, but it was faster to grab another saw.