FEL questions

Anonymous Poster · May 5, 2003

Hoping to get some help on FEL's. One local dealer quoted a Woods FEL for my TC18 installed for $3624 (don't know model). Seemed high to me. Another local dealer sells BH. He qouted $2700 for installation with pick-up/delivery. This is for either the M146 or 1846QT, I'm not sure yet. My questions are: Is the quality good on the BH FEL's? Are these two FEL's removable? I have read about quick attach systems, but if this is the only front end impliment I will be using, do I need it? I want to remove the FEL when mowing. I guess I just need someone to explain removing/attaching a FEL and the difference between having a quick attach system or not. I have done searches and read for a couple hours, but really can't find the info I'm looking for. Thanx in advance for any help.

NH TC18
-Dave

thcri · May 5, 2003

TC18inNY,

I hope I can keep this simple without babling. I tend to do that. I believe both loaders will give you the quick removal system. Usually takes about 5 minutes and you can have the complete loader removed except the mounting brackets. You can take it one step further and get the quick attach which will usually end up costing you a lot more. The quick attach allows you to basically take the bucket off and put other implements on your loader in a quick and conveinient way.

You have already told us you wanted to take the loader off for mowing pretty much everyone does. You don't need that weight up there to reck your lawn. But you still have to decide if you need the quick attach system. What other things will you be using your loader for other than the bucket. If you are not using it for anything else then the quick attach is a waste of your money. There is multiple companies out there that follow under your quick attach accessories and may more people here can chime in. But definately you want the loader that you can remove. Also check with New Holland as to what price you can get for their loader. I am kind of partial to staying with like brand equipment for things like loaders. Othes will say different.

Hope this helps you,

murph

Anonymous Poster · May 5, 2003

I agree with thrci that you should check out price of NH loader. I have the new 12LA with my TC18, and I'm pretty sure it has better specs than the BH. One figure I saw for the M146 was 825# lift at the pivot pin; 12LA is 1090 at the same location. However, the 12LA may not fit if your TC18 is older - check with the dealer. I would expect it to be somewhere in the $3500 range, which would compare with the Woods loader.

Mosey · May 6, 2003

I could just about write a book on this subject right now, but I'll leave that to Muhammad! I just went through the same thing you're going through. In summary, my advice is to get the factory New Holland loader if you can get a decent price on one! You should also be sure and kick yourself once a week for not getting the loader when you bought the tractor, because you're going to pay more now. I bought a Bush Hog M246 and regret it. That being said, the M146 might be OK. There is information on their loaders on their web site, www.bushhog.com. The Woods 1012 might be OK, but probably too big for a TC18, so consider the 1006, 1008, or 1009. There is a .pdf file on the Woods loaders on their web site, www.woodsonline.com. The main thing you need to do is to do what I didn't do, and that is to actually see the loader installed on a tractor like yours (same exact model) and then decide if you like it or not. Find out how much the loader itself weighs, how much weight is left on the tractor when the loader is detached, and how much weight you'll need for ballast. Find out if any mounting brackets get in the way of engine maintenance, even when the loader is detached. Find out if any mounting brackets go under the tractor to the drawbar and find out if they get in the way of a mid mount mower (if that matters to you) or reduce your ground clearance.

I think any loader they make these days is detachable from the tractor, but double check that. I can tell you that the Woods 1012 and the Bush Hog M146 are both detachable very easily and it only takes 5-10 minutes. If you get quick attach bucket option, make sure it's the Skid Steer compatible type, or you'll be limited on what attachments will fit it. The quick attach bucket option will add some weight to the front of the loader. I know that the Bush Hog M146 does not come with the quick attach bucket option.

You might want to read these posts:

FEL options for my Boomer

Ordered my Bush Hog M246 FEL

When is rear ballast needed with a FEL?

dfeck · May 6, 2003

TC18,

I would also agree with the above comments. I'm a kubota man and my dealer made his point VERY clear about staying with like brands. First, they engineer them for their tractors. Second, if there's a warrentee issue then there might be an issue with having un-like brands attached. If you decide on BH or Woods I would check out Saxby Implements in Mendon. They are a family business and have given me exceptional service. Best prices around in my opinion.

Doug

Mosey · May 6, 2003

( my dealer made his point VERY clear about staying with like brands.
Doug)

That's true with all dealers, but at the same time that they say that they drive people away by overpricing their factory loaders if you don't buy the loader with the tractor. I even had one dealer ask me if I had bought the tractor in the last year or not because it would be $100 less if I had. Why should that make a difference? I can see paying a little more to cover the extra shipping and other handling fees or whatever, but there's no reason other than greed for a loader to cost over $1000 more because I didn't buy it when I bought the tractor! I case you can't tell, I'm starting to get steamed about this whole thing!

Spencer · May 6, 2003

( I case you can't tell, I'm starting to get steamed about this whole thing! )

Danny, I have two jobs to do next week down your way. I'll be in Indy Sunday through Tuesday and then I'll be heading down to Lebanon Kentucky. If I had time, and it was at a decent time of day, I was going to see if we could get together on Tuesday Or Wednesday. Maybe I should wait until you get your loader situation figured out?

Mosey · May 6, 2003

Spencer - That would probably work out good. Maybe if you had time you could come and see this loader for yourself and see if I have valid complaints, since you can compare it to your 7308. When you go to KY it would be right on your way. Let me know what you feel like doing. Even if you don't have time to come to my house, let me know when would be a good time to meet somewhere right off the highway in the Columbus area. There are a bunch of restaurants at Exit 68. Do you still have my phone number and the directions?

Spencer · May 6, 2003

Danny, Hopefully we will be able to work something out. I just got an email with an updated job schedule. Now it looks like I will be going from Indy to Fairfield Iowa and then on to Lebanon Kentucky. If it looks like I will have some time I will give you a call and give you as much notice as possible.