Bushhog brand FEL

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi all, I am looking at purchasing an M4900 next week (been kickin tires for some time now) and the dealer told me that the Bush hog brand loader is rated better than the LA1002. He also told me that it cost slightly more than the 1002. Anyone have any experience on either?? The dealer is insistant on selling the Bushhog brand, and I dont know if he is looking at the best product for the tractor, or just trying to make a sale..He is the oldest dealer in the area is known for being as honest as a tractor salesman can be( no offense to any salesmen out there) He tells me the 1002 is ill suited for the 4900, he said that is was built by "Great Plains" and is actually made to generally fit several different tractors...

 

[Bird]

TexasPete, I don't know whether one is "better" than the other or not. I generally like Bush Hog brand products; mowers, tillers, etc., but personally, for the front end loader, I'd prefer staying with the same brand as the tractor. I figure the tractor manufacturer's engineers have designed them to work together, they look better matched (if appearance means anything to you - very little to me), and if you ever want to sell or trade, I would expect better resale value with matched equipment. Just a personal opinion./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Bird

 

[rbargeron]

One feature the Kubota loader has is a regenerative circuit in the control valve that provides faster dump-cycle. Don't know if the BushHog valve has it. Depending on how much FEL work you'll be doing, it might be something to consider.

Not to encourage spending even more money, but the hydraulic shuttle is a nice feature - I think it's available on the M4900 (and standard on the M5700).

Congrats on picking the heavier Kubota model - and on choosing a tractor with the F2803 5-hole engine - a very nice rig.

Dick Bargeron L5450 HDTW (power is good - weight is too)

 

[Anonymous Poster]

THe dealer has just faxed me some info on the Bush Hog M446 Loader. The specs are pretty impressive compared to the LA 1002. The lift capacity to 59" (at pivot point) is 4,530 lb. Thats a lot more impressive than the 1002. The dealer is telling me that the m446 bush hog is the best loader for that tractor, that it sits better and provides more clearance and a better finished look than the 1002. Ive seen a 1002 and it does stick out front quite a bit...I hate making big decisions..!!!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Can someone define breakout force in respect to FELS???

 

[MJB]

John Deere defines "breakout force" as the loader boom lift capacity at ground level. I suspect Kubota defines it the same way. Hope this helps.

5 out of 4 school students have trouble with statistics. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

A local dealer had an M82oo with Bush Hog loader that turned into a lemmon. The hydraulic pump went out three times. It seems also that the owner was a hot head that told everyone in the county about this problem. A deal was worked out such that the owner ended up with an M9000 with Kubota loader.

The dealer thought that the problem was the hydraulic quick coupler was bad and the hose would pop off. The pump output would then deadhead and blow the pump. Possible. I saw this tractor when it was back on the lot. The Bush Hog design is such that the hydraulic pump outlet line is cut and the loader fittings installed. This puts the loader valve upstream of all other tractor hydraulics. My guess is that the tractor's high pressure relief valve might then be downstream of the loader and not provide relief for pressure within the loader. Check prices. The Bush Hog loader in question was suppost to save the owner $500 compared to the Kubota.

I have an M6800 and am planning on looking at the LA 1002 soon. Best price so far is $4200. A question you need to think about is do you really want to pick up 4500 pounds with a tractor that weighs less than 4500 pounds? Sounds unstable. That spec might be true if you have a tractor heavy enough not to tip over. Is your spec for the loader, or for the loader on your tractor? It would seem best to design one such that a pressure releif valve would vent or the cylinder stall before the operator caused a tipover or accident.

I'll be watching this thread closely. Keep us informed on your decision and satisfaction.

jrpoux
jrpoux@wcnet.net

 

[rbargeron]

2 more cents worth, the Bush Hog 446 uses 2.5 and 2.75" bore hydraulic cylinders - no wonder there's a lot of force available. But the down side of that is that they take more oil to fill 'em. The M4700 pump is around 9 gpm (I think) so it may seem a little pokey with the Bush Hog 446.

The Kubota loader has smaller cylinders (so is maybe 30% faster) but is still quite capable of lifting the back off the ground - or getting it so light you are unstable.

Regarding how far the loader hangs out front, sometimes a little extra reach is good - reduces the times you cabbage up your grille against the side of a wagon or truck.

Bush Hog makes very good products - Kubota's loader might be a little better integrated to your tractor. If you go with BH - be sure they get the valving right - but it sounds like your dealer has some experience. Decisions decisions - either way you'll probably be fine.

 

[TexasPete302]

First and foremost, thanks to all for the help. I like this post so much I went on and registered tonight. To update all my new friends, I spoke with the dealer today and he is going to install the Bushhog loader on the tractor so we can actually "see" it before signing any papers..I think that was awful nice, since there are no strings attached to buy that particular one, BUT, if I decide on the LA1002, I dont know if he'll swap. He said it would be November before he gets any more 1002's ( i think thats a smokescreen to sell the m446). Also, I called my next closest dealer ( CLeveland, GA) and asked if he could meet or beat the first price. He told me that he couldnt, he said it was lower than his cost..Do all dealers pay the same price for the tractors?

 

[glennmac]

Pete,

I have been told by Kubota dealers that all dealers pay the same for tractors from the factory. But that doesnt mean that Dealer A's cost to sell Tractor X is the same as Dealer B's cost to sell the same tractor. One dealer may have a lot more overhead, for example, that he has to spread across and recover from each of his tractor sales.

I think you should spend some driving time and try both loaders. Try the Bush Hog, see how it feels to you, and time the curl, dump, up and down functions. Then find a dealer who has the Kubota loader and do the same. This way you will feel more comfortable with whatever decision you make.