"Challenge" brand FEL vs Kubota?

[LD1]

Straight from the la844 manual.

Like I said, it beats the challenge loader. And my suspicion is that the only reason the challenge is rated for more at Max height is because it's a mechanical self leveling loader. Which lessens the "work," required to make a lift

 

[Fallon]

No. Breakout is lift at or near ground level. Nothing more. Curl has no bearing on breakout

I can't see the figures on my phone, but I think this indicates it's however you can generate the force just behind the cutting edge.
https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:14397:-2:ed-2:v1:en:fig:1

3.1

breakout force

maximum sustained upward vertical force, in newtons, generated at a point 100*mm behind the leading edge of the bucket of a loader, or behind the foremost point of the cutting edge for a loader having a bucket with an irregular (pointed, curved, etc.) cutting-edge shape, by a lift or tilt cylinder, with the bottom of the bucket's cutting edge parallel to, and not more than 20*mm above, the ground reference plane (GRP)


https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...hAVkQFghwMAw&usg=AOvVaw1hkrt_9Xw_9k7oiUIugQrT has way more math than I care to look at, but indicates the same thing I think. The max force that can be generated.

 

[LD1]

I have seen many many loader specs that list a higher roll back force at the cutting edge than breakout. So if it was truly the max force that could be generated, why would it be lower than curl force?
And why in the world would they list a breakout force at bucket pins if it is clearly supposed to be measured at a point 100mm behind cutting edge?

And my manual, the chart for lift capacity in relation to lift height....at ground level matches the spec for breakout force at pins and 500mm forward.

But on any case, it's a moot point. I posted the chart for a la844 loader. It is clearly a stronger loader in the. Bottom half of the range, where you use a loader the most.

Another classic case of getting hung up on just a few specs when comparing and not seeing the bigger picture.

Strength....imo....the Kubota wins.
Resell......imo the Kubota wins
Fit/finish/visibility.....I'm the kubota wins.

Now I don't know the price of the challenge loader???? So don't know how that compares.

If it were me, the ONLY reason I would consider it would be for the mechanical self leveling. But if that's not important for the uses the OP has in mind.....I'd pass and get the Kubota loader

 

[kenlip]

Thanks, guys.

The 'original' dealer to whom I spoke offered only the Kubota FEL. My son-in-law wanted me to get a second quote, so I contacted another Kubota dealer. The second dealer is the one who suggested the Challenge.

I contacted the original (my preferred) dealer to ask about the different FELs. His response: "The LA854-B is the correct loader for the MX5100. The LA1065 - I can't even find that model loader so not too sure what it fits"

Could it be that the 1065 is the USA/Canada model and the 854 is the Australian version?

 

[kenlip]

Thanks for all the responses.

They confirmed my 'gut feeling' that the Challenge wouldn't be a great choice. I'll stick with Kubota for the FEL and 4:1.

Now, all I need to do is decide on whether to get a box scraper, grader blade or grader-scraper, and I'll be ready to 'pull the trigger'.

 

[Farmer495]

I am guessing the "AU" means it's Australian built Kubota loader and it may or may not be the same as a US loader. Challenge is an Australian company as well and seems to claim they know what is best.

Looks like it is mech self levelling on both.

My question is what attachment carrier does each use, and what is the price like?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Thanks for all the responses.

They confirmed my 'gut feeling' that the Challenge wouldn't be a great choice. I'll stick with Kubota for the FEL and 4:1.

Now, all I need to do is decide on whether to get a box scraper, grader blade or grader-scraper, and I'll be ready to 'pull the trigger'.

Depending on how much road you have to maintain, but in reality you should have all three. NOTHING UNDER 800LBS.

8 foot rear blade.
6-7 foot LPGS.
6-7 foot box blade.

Because of your hills, I would say that a good rear blade would be #1 of importance. You probably need to maintain a crown in the road as well as ditches on the side and maybe some swales to control water run off. Hard to say for sure without being there.

As far as general road maintenance, just about impossible to beat a land plane grading scraper, (LPGS) in my opinion. Cuts the grading time by half vs a box blade or rear blade. The longer the sides are, the better. 16" tall at the minimum.

Good luck with your decisions. :thumbsup: