7308 Loader Question

strez · May 26, 2003

I just took delivery of my new CUT (see sig below). What a machine . . .

Anyway, I've got a question about my loader. I've seen pictures of other 7308's, and looked in the owner's manual for mine, and they all have some sort of brace which extends from the front of the loader downwards. Mine does not have this piece -- see attached pic. Am I missing something?

JATO_RaT · May 26, 2003

Not knowing your tractors features very well, I am wondering why you don't have a grille guard. Standard on many tractors. Its a must for me and the loader work I do. If you ever do any work involving tree branches, you'll want one. My sister has a NH 2120 and no grille guard and a dented up nose. Twice a large branch snuck up and before we could stop the tractor, the entire housing for the lights etc was about a 1.5" higher then the rest of the engine housing. Rat...

Mrwurm · May 26, 2003

Yours looks just like mine. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I think some Boomer models have a brace that extends down instead of the one you and I have that extends forward. I like that bar, it functions great as a bumper/grill protector when the loader is in the raised position. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

thcri · May 26, 2003

I wonder if it is the difference of the tractor. I have the TC29D, looks like you have the new TC30. I do have the brace that you are talking about, or at least I think I do. My loader is not on right now or I would take a picture of it.

Edited starts here,

I did go out and look at mine and I do like my brace better than yours. Not trying to be funny or anything I just feel the other style brace when sitting on softer ground would do less damage. As far as a grill guard I don't think one is better than the other. But when I look at your picture it looks like you could put the other style brace on but there may be a conflict in the process of removing your FEL. But I would go back to your dealer and see if you could get the other brace and try it. May be he has one on a loader in the yard or something you could take off.

murph

MikePA · May 26, 2003

I have a TC25D and my 7308 has the brace.

Mrwurm · May 26, 2003

Nope, no grille guard. TC30 is a basic (economy model) though it's never been apparant to me in use.
I had a dumpster at my place recently while I was doing some demolition work. That brace that I have was great when loading the dumpster. I would raise the bucket and then drive forward until the brace hit the dumpster. Worked great as a stop. I can see where the brace that extends downward would allow the loader to be removed and reattached easier. It would stop the loader frame from going so far down when removed. It would lessen the angle between the loader frame arms and the ground. Anyone with a 7308 knows how much they like to slide when you are trying to reattach them.