Front-End Loader Difference in FEL's?

[woodlandfarms]

Maybe this is a bit of a newbie question, but some of the tractors I am considering have the "new" bowed FEL arms, and some have straight arms. I see that one of the advantages is a less obstructed view, but are their others?

I know measurements are sort of relative (Lift capabilites are often "adjusted") so are their mechanical things to look at or consider on determining the proper FEL? Like how they mount? If they are 3rd party?

Hopefully this question makes sense.

Carl

 

[dfkrug]

There is a trend toward curved-arm loaders and away from
"dog-leg" loaders. This same trend is happening with backhoes.
The only advantage I see advertised is a less obstructed view, in
both cases.

If there is indeed a less obstructed view, I have not found that to
be of significant importance with the tractors I have operated.
Maybe they use less steel for a given capacity?

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I'd say there is a huge difference in the actual use of the curved loaders versus the straight/dogleg loader arms. And people who have experience on both types will typically tell you that you get used to either one, but most seem to prefer the curved arms after using both. I happen to have both, I can tell you that I can get work done faster with the curved arms, the visiblity is vastly improved. Much of the advantage of the curved arms comes from not just the curved arms, but also the curved & sloped hoods of the tractors. They work together as a system to improve the visibility so much that you can actually see your work, that seems like a small thing but in actual use I have found it to be a time saver (and time/labor savings is why I own tractors).

The photo comparision may not be perfect, but it illustrates the point. It should be pointed out that the Kubota/NH have very similar FEL capacities. The Kubota blocks your view to signifcantly farther out, you also can't see the bucket corners on the Kubota. The Kubota grill guard blocks the view to just under 7' in front of the cutting edge of the bucket. On the NH, the ground is visible at just under 3' in front of the bucket. The photo of the green tractor (photo 3) is a Montana. This is not a good comparison because the bucket is NOT flat on the ground, however the loader arms really bock the view because they are mounted much higher so you lose much of the sight advantage with the Montana. I also don't like the plumbing on the Montana, I much prefer rigid pipe over hose on a loader, costs more to pipe it but never has to be replaced and is harder to damage (in my experience).

I'd also point out that not all curved arm/sloped hood tractors are created equal. Some (like Deere, Montana & Kioti) don't have hoods that curve down as steeply or curve side-to-side as New Holland or Case which I believe offers the best view. Kioti is probably the next best hood shape, Montana probably the most traditional of the hood shapes and offers less of a view. Deere offers a good view over the hoods of their new tractors (good not great) but their loader arms are 2 part curved arms and offer a more obstructed view.

 

[3RRL]

There is another side to the story that lies in manufacturing. It may apply to this topic?
The advantages of curved shapes and sleeker lines have been used more and more in recent machining technologies. In the "old days" it was very hard and time consuming to generate curves, radii, etc. on conventional milling machines and other machinery. In order to machine molds and dies with curves, they had to be stepped off and hand worked in or "pantographed" using a traceable model. Even the models and patterns had to be made that way. Now, model making is phasing out because of the new technology in machining. Most machining paths were "straight line" or 90° angles because that's what most conventional (manual operated) machinery does.
Nowadays with all the CNC machining centers and CAD programs that design in 3D it's a snap to design and machine all kinds of curves and shapes. They are so accurate that hardly any "hand fitting" is needed afterwards. The ease of this new ability has allowed design engineers to persue those curved shapes that offer advantages in strength, material savings and ergonomics. Even though we had those shapes back in the "old days" they were 100 times more difficult to generate than today...so we see more of it.

 

[dfkrug]

I'd say there is a huge difference in the actual use of the curved loaders versus the straight/dogleg loader arms. And people who have experience on both types will typically tell you that you get used to either one, but most seem to prefer the curved arms after using both. I happen to have both, I can tell you that I can get work done faster with the curved arms, the visiblity is vastly improved. Much of the advantage of the curved arms comes from not just the curved arms, but also the curved & sloped hoods of the tractors. They work together as a system to improve the visibility so much that you can actually see your work, that seems like a small thing but in actual use I have found it to be a time saver (and time/labor savings is why I own tractors).

I see some visibility advantages to a sloping hood, but that is independent
of the curved arm loaders. I regularly use my curved-arm Kioti and my
dog-leg Deere and I just don't see any major advantage.

 

[dfkrug]

.....those curved shapes that offer advantages in strength, material savings....

Yes, I see there are newer abilities to manufacture more complex shapes
efficiently. A motivating factor is the ability to reduce steel content
for cost and weight, while maintaining strength. We have already seen
this in tapered box shapes of thinner guages, versus standard uniform
shapes like rectangluar tubing. Curved box shapes are the next step
and the curved loaders seems to use less steel for the same duty. The
curved b/hs actually seem to use more steel.

 

[LC Brewing]

This same trend is happening with backhoes.
The only advantage I see advertised is a less obstructed view, in
both cases.

I believe the trend in backhoes is actually related to capacity and reach. It has been a design feature of excavators for a long time. The curve in the main boom creates a "pocket" that allows the full bucket to be curled up tighter to the boom allowing the boom to be raised higher, and allowing a tighter swing radius. It also allows the hoe to be folded up more compact for transportation. The straight-boom backhoes and excavators have limitations in these regards because the bucket will interfere with the boom at a much lower angle.

 

[dfkrug]

I believe the trend in backhoes is actually related to capacity and reach. It has been a design feature of excavators for a long time. The curve in the main boom creates a "pocket" that allows the full bucket to be curled up tighter to the boom allowing the boom to be raised higher, and allowing a tighter swing radius. It also allows the hoe to be folded up more compact for transportation. The straight-boom backhoes and excavators have limitations in these regards because the bucket will interfere with the boom at a much lower angle.

I know that industrial excavators have had curved booms for a long time.
I can see how you can get a higher unloading height for a full bucket. And
I can see that a curved boom hoe can fill a bucket better at full reach.
I still don't see the visibility advantage claimed. I noticed from detailed
study of the Woods GB7500 and the new BH-80X that there is no additional
digging power.

 

[PineRidge]

The main reason I like the curved loader arms is visibility. This picture really speaks for itself, and I think you'll see the difference for yourself.

 

[dfkrug]

The main reason I like the curved loader arms is visibility. This picture really speaks for itself, and I think you'll see the difference for yourself.

Your additional visibility is gained by the sloped hood, not the loader arm
design. If your NH had a Woods loader, your fwd visibility would prob
be the same.