Front-End Loader Aftermarket FEL's

[axldoozer]

Aftermarket FEL\'s

Could someone please advise the downside of aftermarket FEL's compared to the factory ones? I have a Kubota L3010 and am thinking about getting a FEL in the near future. I remember reading on another thread that the resale values are different for tractors with aftermarket FEL's as opposed to factory ones. The specifications don't appear to be that different.

Are the aftermarket ones harder to attach and detach? Are the aftermarket ones like a lot of aftermarket things in which it fits most tractors but doesn't fit any of them really well?

Thanks,
Darren

 

[buppy69]

Re: Aftermarket FEL\'s

Most of your factory FEL's are probably made by aftermarket conpanies.

Eugene

 

[GaryM]

Re: Aftermarket FEL\'s

The FEL on my 4100 is factory and it goes on and off in about two minutes with no tools. My friend has a NH and a Bush Hog. It takes him 15 minutes and several wrenches. Assuming the capacities are the same, which would you rather have?

 

[Mosey]

Re: Aftermarket FEL\'s

It would depend on which aftermarket brand you choose. Some only come in "one color fits all", so that would reduce resale. Others can match any color and meet or beat OEM specs. Call around some dealers in your area and see what brands they have and how they compare to the OEM. I don't have a FEL, but I looked into one a while back and found a couple of brands that appealed to me, but I don't remember them now (I can look it up if you want). I finally decided that I could probably buy an older tractor with a FEL for what a new FEL would cost for my Boomer (around 4k with the control valve), so I have good excuse to buy another tractor!

 

[theboman]

Re: Aftermarket FEL\'s

I have a Woods 1006 on my B7500. I've never taken it off but it's either two or four pins to pull and moving the hydro quick connector.
The Woods 1006 is rated a bit stronger than the Kubota FEL that most get with the B7500, and it was a lot cheaper in cost.
I've never owned a Kubota FEL, but from looking at them the Woods seems much stronger built, then again I'm just looking at the FELs. I bet if I owned a Kubota FEL I'd be happier than a pig in slop.
There's a pile of happy Kubota FEL owners so you know they are good ones.

 

[art]

Re: Aftermarket FEL\'s

Darren, as a dealer we have sold tractor manufacturers loaders and aftermarket loaders. The price difference that you save by buying the aftermarket is normally lost when selling your loader. The tractor companies design there loaders knowing the limitations of their tractor design and try to keep the life and duration of the loader and components within the realm of the tractors. The aftermarkets are designed to fit as many models and makes as possible to economize the production. The aftermarkets in general are built well but they often have to be fit to the tractor often having to redrill or reweld during the installation process. Some aftermarket loader companies do build for the tractor manufacterer but do to the patents donot build them the same as they do fo rthat manufacturer.

 

[axldoozer]

Re: Aftermarket FEL\'s

Thanks very much for the info guys.

 

[Rockyroad]

Re: Aftermarket FEL\'s

I bought a Kelly Mfg. FEL for my JD750 about a year ago. It is black, so it does not match my JD green paint. However, it seems to be well made and was no trouble at all to install. It detatches quickly, but I never take it off. I don't care about resale, since my JD 750 is already 17 years old. If I want it green, then I can take it off and repaint it fairly easily with JD paint.

The reason I bought the Kelley was that money was an issue. I bought it thru Leonard Schaeffer and got a 20% discount. I believe it cost $2,400 plus shipping.
My JD dealer wanted close to $5,000 installed for a JD model that "could be made to fit." The dealer also insisted that I needed power steering, which I do not have. Lack of power steering has not been a problem. It would be nice, but not worth another $1,000 to me.

Shop around. Surprising what you can find.

 

[Kodiak]

Re: Aftermarket FEL\'s

Hi Darren:

I had no qualms about purchsing an aftermarket FEL. In fact going with the Woods 1012 loader an my New Holland TC29 made it a much more effecient working package. The Woods loader has @ 350 lbs more max weight lifting capacity than the New Hollan 7308 loader. And a four bar bucket linkage resulting in better rollback and dump angles. Plus it comes in your choice of manufacturers colors. The frame and mounts, although designed to be used on several makes and models, are well thought out, very sturdy and provide good grill protection. And one of the nicest perks was that it was @ $600 cheaper than the New Holland 7308 loader.

As for your L3010. there was a thread posted under the "Kubota Buying and Pricing" forum, by a TBN member named "Jibby", entitled "New 3010 HST Pictures". that ha s somme great veiws of the Woods 1012 loader mounted on a Kubota L3010. And I'm sure that "JIbby" can give you some great reveiws as to the performance of the 1012 on the L3010 also.

 

[n6ckv]

Re: Aftermarket FEL\'s

I have a used L3450. When I looked for a FEL both the Kubota an NH dealers had the SMC loader (distributed by Gearmore out west). The NH dealer was installing them on his NH tractors, so I went with him. I have a 2408 loader. The main part of the loader is the same for all tractors, the mounting hardware is specific for each tractor. All the parts were bolt on (no cutting or welding), SMC even included a subframe for my tractor. If you search for the Alamo Group on the internet you can find the info on SMC.

carl