FEL options for my Boomer

Mosey · Dec 24, 2002

I talked to a salesman at a Kubota and Case dealer that sells Woods and Great Bend front end loaders. The Woods 1012, which has a lift capacity of 1375lb and is available with a 60", 66", or 72" bucket, sells for $3580 installed. With the quick attach bucket it is an extra $285. The Great Bend 2130, which has a lift capacity of 1530lbs and is only available with a 60" or 72" bucket, sells for $3275 installed. With the quick attach bucket it is an extra $310. They are both quick attach to the tractor, single stick control and claim to have lift and curl at the same time, the controls come off with the loader so they would be out of the way when the loader is not on, can match OEM color, and have a 1 year warranty. It would cost about $75 to have the tractor picked up and then returned if I have them install it. I could save that cost plus an additional $275 if I go pick it up and install it myself.

I talked to my New Holland dealer who also sells Bush Hog front end loaders. The New Holland 7308, which has a lift capacity of 1020lbs and is only available with a 60" or 72" bucket, sells for $3850 installed. With the quick attach bucket it is an extra $500. The Bush Hog 2240QT, which has a lift capacity of 1000lbs and is only available with a 60" bucket, sells for $3350. They are both quick attach to the tractor, single stick control and claim to have lift and curl at the same time, the controls stay on the tractor when the loader is not on, and can match OEM color. I would have to pay about $100 for transporting the tractor if they install it. He didn't know anything about the 7308 being discontinued, but said he would look into it and let me know. He said the 10% off sale they are having in February would not apply because that only applies to parts.

If the Great Bend had a 66" bucket, that would be my choice. So, at this point, my choice is the Woods. I need to find out more about the quick attach bucket and would like to see some more pictures. They had some brochures there showing some pictures, but they didn't show the side with the controls or the quick attach bucket. I also want to make sure that it can do lift and curl at the same time (no, I don’t totally trust salesmen!) and that the controls come off with the loader. Any feedback on my tentative decision will be appreciated!

Spencer · Dec 24, 2002

Mosey, As you know I chose the NH 7308 but I sure do wish I had more lift capacity. That being said I have lifted my rear end off of the ground a few times with the limited lift capacity I have. Since I installed 2 sets of rear wheel weights (75 lbs ea. for a total of 300 lbs.) I don't think my rear end has come off the ground. Any way you go I would have the dealer install the loader. I know that the fel joystick can get in the way but there may be a time that you want the joystick available when the loader is not on, then you could use those hydraulics for something else. I am coming up on my 1 year anniversary and have not even taken my loader off yet but I don't mow with it. I know you won't be sorry if you get the skid steer type quick attach system.

Anonymous Poster · Dec 24, 2002

Mosey:
<font color=blue>The New Holland 7308, which has a lift capacity of 1020lbs...<font color=blue>

<font color=black>Would that lift capacity be for the new rounded arm loader that's suppose to replace the 7308? My New Holland book shows a lift capacity at the pivot pin of 875 lbs. for the 7308. <font color=black>

Darren · Dec 24, 2002

If you're looking only at aftermarket loaders, I'd go with Woods or
Westendorf. Of the two Westendorf is probably the heavier built loader. Check and see if they make one for your tractor. I know they make them for the big ag tractors.

Personally, I couldn't do without without a quick attach. I use the forks as much as the bucket. Getting that from the beginning saves trouble later. If you look at quick attaches that may give you more bucket options.

Kodiak · Dec 24, 2002

Hi Danny:

No I don't trust most salesman either. But I do have a good salesman from the New Holland dealer that I do business with. I to wonder if that N.H. was quoting specs for the new New Holland 14LA loader with the curved arms. I haven't seen the specs on this loader yet, but was aware that it was supposed to be out soon. The 7308 has been around for a number of years. And has a max lift capacity around 875lbs.

As I am sure you have seen I have a Woods 1012 with the 66" bucket on my current TC29. And it is an excellent compliment to the size and weight of that tractor. (With loaded rear tires) I am currently in negotiations on a new 03 TC29, which will also be equipped with a Woods 1012. I considered the new N.H. 14LA but just couldn't justify the extra exspense, when the the Woods loader does what I need. the dealer that quoted that price to you on the Woods 1012 seems to be high. Now I realize that my prices included being installed on new tractors. But I paid $2500 installed with the 66" bucket on the current tractor. And will be paying $3050 for the loader installed on the 03 TC29. And this one will also include the quick attatch bucket and a set of QA forks. As for installation, it probably wouldn't be that hard to bolt up the mounts and plumb the hydraulics. But getting everything squared, might be much easier for the dealer that has installed a number of them. Leaving the loader controls on the tractor is not so bad espially if you want them for some other hydraulicly powered equipment. Oh and yes you can definetly lift and curl at the same time with the Woods loader.

I would ask that dealer (Woods) if he could sharpen his pencil a little more. Or contact Woods and find out if there are any more Woods dealers in your area. It is a great loader and I think you will be happy with it. Good luck.

Oh from the looks of it, you and I may be the only ones on here that chose the TC29's. Great tractor, I love mine.

HayDR · Dec 24, 2002

The NH OEM loaders used to be made by SMC now owned by Servis-Rhino. This is just another option. You have 2 good ones already.

Anonymous Poster · Dec 26, 2002

I would stay with the NH OEM loader that the manufacturer recommends. That loader is designed for that tractor and as far as lift capacity goes, that weight is probably all the NH Mfgr. feels the tractor is designed to handle, safely. Of course, you can push the limits with a aftermarket loader and probably get away with it.--Just my opinion.--Ken Sweet

RobertN · Dec 27, 2002

I have been very happy with my Bushhog loader. It is the next size down from yours. It was $3200 installed.

As far as OEM, that would probably be best. But, When I got the laoder for my B8200 Kubota, the factory did not have a model to fit it any more. They would have had to modify one.

The Bushhog came ready to fit my tractor. It has worked well, and was priced similar to the rest. Your prices are higher, but you are looking at bigger loaders.

Mine "Quik Attaches" pretty easily, although I have no real needs to remove it. Did it once, just to see how it worked.

Mosey · Jan 2, 2003

I just called Woods on their 800# (800 319-6637). Apparently there are different versions of the Woods 1012 FEL. The one for the TC29D does have lift and curl at the same time (regenerative valve). But, the controls stay on the tractor when the loader is detached. They are going to send me an electronic copy of the owners manual so I can see some detail.

I called the dealer back and he admitted his error. He said the Quick Attach buckets are all the same though (skid steer type), so I could get a Great Bend loader with the Quick Attach bucket and get a Woods 66" bucket. But, he rechecked and said the Great Bend also leaves the controls on the tractor when the loader is detached.

I called Great Bend on their 800# (800 825-1701). They said the controls stay on the tractor when the loader is detached. It does have lift and curl at the same time (regenerative valve). They also said it would be no problem and would not affect the warranty if I used another brand 66" Quick Attach bucket. They are going to mail me some pictures showing the right hand side of the tractor.

Bummer! Apparently, all loaders leave the controls on the tractor when the loader is detached. That being the case, I'd prefer the factory New Holland controls, since they attach right to the fender and are more out of the way and easy to reach when in use. I'm still waiting to hear back from my NH dealer about any info on the 14LA. I would like to see, or at least a picture of the right hand side of, a Boomer (TC25, TC29, or TC33) with the factory control valve and the loader detached.

Mosey · Jan 10, 2003

I've been doing some more checking and found out that the Great Bend 2130 FEL has a nice feature - the control valve stays on the tractor when the FEL is detached, but the mounting bracket is adjustable, so I can move it up out of the way when I need to. I also just found out a Bush Hog M246 and a Great Bend 2130 FEL are the same thing (both companies recently got bought by some other company and they merged). So, I just need to find the best price on either one. I called Bush Hog and they are sending me some more pictures that will show the right hand side of the tractor.