Rotary Cutter Comparison: Woods Vs. Bush Hog FEL's

[Spiveyman]

I've searched the forums and didn't find what I'm looking for, so I hope this isn't something that's been asked tons already. Also many of the posts about loaders seem to be a few years old and it there's some new models out there these days.

I am new to farming, so I am trying to do my research here. I have a Ford 6610, ROPS, and I want to get a loader. There's a dealer close enough for me to work with that reps both Woods and Bush Hog. From the brochures it looks like the Woods 255 or the BH 2846QT are fairly comparable. Anyone have an opinion on which might be better? More reliable? Easier to switch between bucket & spear? Easier to disconnect from tractor?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Spiveyman]

I started a couple of threads here with questions a few weeks ago and wound up having to answer my first question myself. Well, here I am again to answer my second question.

Which aftermarket loader is the best buy? Woods or Bush Hog? I've been doing some research on them and others. If you happen to be a Dr. or Lawyer and just farm for the fun of it you can probably afford a Quickie (that sounds a little funny folks, but I didn't name the dang thing). The Quickie brand seems to be a really stout loader. Much bigger stronger arms than the others, but a stonger price as well. The Woods and BH are comparably priced. They are spec'd out at different points (breakout force, lift capacity... etc.) so it is nearly impossible to do a head to head comparrison no paper. I'm an engineer by day, so I decided to check out the fundamentals of the designs. They are very close but there is one thing that causes me to lean towards the BH. There may be some Woods fans out there that would disagree with me, but Woods uses a bushing at the main pivot point which will wear out much faster than the BH design. I checked with some owners and some service people and have gotten pretty much the same responses - buy Bush Hog if you can't afford the higher end makes. The design is better, the performance is every bit as good as the woods, but it will last longer.

I paid a deposit and ordered a BH today. I'll attach a picture when I get it done. For reference I'm paying $5,300 for them to pick up my tractor (Ford 6610 - I have nothing big enough to haul it with), install the loader with heavy duty bucket and bale spear, and deliver it back to my farm.

 

[Turbys_1700]

From my experience, either loader will be of the same quality. My dad sold farm equipment for over 30 years and is now retired. His dealership sold both Woods and Bush Hog brands. I would not be afraid of either. They are both great.

I'm gonna get a loader for my 1720 in the near future. I'll probably get the Bush Hog because Woods changed to a curved design that I am not crazy about. The Woods unit that I was looking at for my tractor only has one hydraulic cylinder for the bucket curl. I don't linke that. But again that's just me. I'm sure that Woods has designed it properly. I just don't like it.

 

[Spiveyman]

Perhaps I overstated my thoughts a tad here, yes, both loaders are excellent. I don't think you could really go wrong with either one. I was just looking for something to differentiate one from the other. I agree about the curved arms. Thanks.

 

[6sunset6]

I just got a new NH with curved arms on the loader. It's different but here is the thing. With my old machine I had to stand up to pilot the QA into place as wll as to see the forks go under a skid. With the new tractor if you get off the seat when it is in gear it stops. ( I could short the seat switch of course) but with the curved arms I do not have to stand up.
I changed my profile where did it go? Thats my old machine

 

[Spiveyman]

Thanks 6sunset6, that's a good point about the visibility. The only loader I've used was a JD (which I think is a woods under the green paint - not sure) but it didn't have the curved arms and is what I'm more used to. Well, I went ahead and ordered the BH because the dealer worked with me on that price compared to the woods.

So your tractor cuts off if you get off the seat? What if you hit a stump and it bounces you up off the seat for a moment? Mine would be cutting off all the time, or maybe I just need to drive slower. It's funny the safety things in place these days. My papaw used to square bale his farm. And when he couldn't get any help he'd hook up his tractor to the bailer, and the wagon behind that. Then he'd get 'er going slow in 1st hear, jump off the tractor, run back and hop up on the wagon and stack the hay, then go back and correct the course if the tractor wasn't lined with the raked hay. Back and forth all day. How times have changed. I noticed that the new JD's have a delay when you try to start them, you have to wait for all the beeping to quit. That would drive me nuts, although I admit it's a short drive.

 

[yellowandbeige]

I've had both. I do prefer the bush hog, the mounting system uses a full frame under the tractor that looks more substantial to me.
Y&B

 

[Spiveyman]

Cool, thanks for the validation. Should be in this weekend, and on my tractor sometime next week!

By the way, love your sig. Although I'm one of those KY people you probably get sick of seeing. We frequent PF and Gberg, 2 or 3 times a year. Sorry for the added traffic, but I do make a substantial contribution to your state taxes every year. You are welcome for that.