Attaching FEL on Kubota M4800

[patchencindy]

We recently had a front end loader installed on our M4800 by a private business owner, and he tied it in to the rear hydraulics. Therein lies my question: Would we be any better served having the lines tied in to the front hydraulics? The way things stand, we'll have to unhook the FEL from the rear ports if we run a baler, etc. The installer said he'd have to "T" the lines into the front if we wanted the setup changed. Am I asking the question clearly enough for anyone to understand??? If so, I sure would appreciate your thoughts. Cindy

 

[Bird]

Cindy, I would think your best bet is to ask a Kubota dealer, or go look at an M4800 with a factory loader and see how it's plumbed. I think most front end loaders come with their own valve (usually a joystick, but not always) and I prefer that. However, I had a neighbor in the hay business with 3 big John Deeres and his front end loaders, on two of them at least, are connected to the rear hydraulic quick couplers and he uses two of the levers in the fender to operate them. He told me he's never owned a tractor with a joystick and didn't think he wanted to try to learn. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[patchencindy]

Thanks much for your response. I think you're right--we'll contact Dooley Tractor, the dealer. Our tractor (actually, it's an M4900) didn't come with a joystick, so I guess the installer hooked it to the back hydraulics by default. We don't mind learning to operate a joystick, but sounds like, from what you are saying, having the FEL hooked to either the front or back hydraulics is okay. Thanks again! Cindy