Loader Build Your Own FEL For Your Kubota?

jayste · Mar 16, 2010

I'm kicking around ideas right now and pricing FEL's. I'm finding that FEL's for my M4800 will cost me around $4000-5000. I'm just curious if any of you guys have built your own here in Kubota land. I know there's some folks in Build-It-Yourself forum that have but I'm more interested in you fellow "Kubotians"

:thumbsup:

scarlo101 · Mar 16, 2010

Jay, I built my own and glad I did. Link to pics below.

texasjohn · Mar 16, 2010

If you have the skills, time and you KNOW it, proceed as the previous poster did.

Me, I take my FEL to the max, regularly. I don' intend to, it just happens as part of what I consider normal usage. I would be concerned that if I shop built one it would not be as precisely built or as strong as needed. Try as I might, loads get off center, torques occur, some lifts are so heavy that I can only lift them inches off the ground before the relief valve pops. There are numerous threads (not Kubota) that have discussed inadequacies of the OEM FEL equipment, with a need for reinforcement/crack repair after the sale. If they can't always get it right, not sure I could do so on my first one.

Kubota-guy1911 · Mar 16, 2010

Nice job on the FEL. Couldn't help but notice how nice your grass looks.

kj

jayste · Mar 17, 2010

scarlo101 said:
Jay, I built my own and glad I did. Link to pics below.

Scarlo101, very impressive! Do you have to ballast much to operate your FEL? I'm impressed with all of the gadgets you've built for it. I REALLY like that Ironworker!:thumbsup: Thanks.

texasjohn said:
If you have the skills, time and you KNOW it, proceed as the previous poster did.

Me, I take my FEL to the max, regularly. I don' intend to, it just happens as part of what I consider normal usage. I would be concerned that if I shop built one it would not be as precisely built or as strong as needed. Try as I might, loads get off center, torques occur, some lifts are so heavy that I can only lift them inches off the ground before the relief valve pops. There are numerous threads (not Kubota) that have discussed inadequacies of the OEM FEL equipment, with a need for reinforcement/crack repair after the sale. If they can't always get it right, not sure I could do so on my first one.

Texasjohn, Duly noted. Part of my search and deciding is to take all of the information and decide to do or not to do an FEL build. Pros and cons. I appreciate all opinions. I've considered pretty much all that you mentioned prior to posting this thread.

Thanks.

jimmer2880 · Mar 17, 2010

I've owned many FEL's. Most have been OEM, but the one before my current 1830 was an aftermarket. Build quality was top notch. However, it was considerably harder to remove & re-install. I didn't realize how much of a big deal that was until I got my 1830 with OEM FEL. It is so easy to remove, that I always remove it when mowing, even if I'm only mowing for 15-30 minutes.

Do what you want - I'm not trying to talk you into it either way. My recomendation is that if you do build one, I would try to mimic as close as possible a Kubota OEM unit because they are such a breeze to remove & re-install.

jayste · Mar 18, 2010

jimmer2880 said:
I've owned many FEL's. Most have been OEM, but the one before my current 1830 was an aftermarket. Build quality was top notch. However, it was considerably harder to remove & re-install. I didn't realize how much of a big deal that was until I got my 1830 with OEM FEL. It is so easy to remove, that I always remove it when mowing, even if I'm only mowing for 15-30 minutes.

Do what you want - I'm not trying to talk you into it either way. My recomendation is that if you do build one, I would try to mimic as close as possible a Kubota OEM unit because they are such a breeze to remove & re-install.

Roger that, Jimmer.:thumbsup: