FEL yanmar 1300

kmosabe · Jul 9, 2006

I have a yanmar 1300 2x2. I know a koyker 80 will fit it, but do not like the expense of 2500, which is more than the tractor. Anyone out there with FEL's of other brands on smaller 1300, 1500, 1401, etc, let me know your brand and if significant amounts of modification were needed.

roxynoodle · Jul 10, 2006

Pretty hard to find a new FEL for less than that. Mine is Japanese and came on the tractor but if you have read my post on the hydraulic oil coming out, you know I have had problems with how it is plumbed. I looked at the install for the Koyker on Hoye's website and must say the plumbing for that is much more sensible than the mess I have. I would think it might be difficult to find a used loader that will fit. I see them all the time for older JD, Massey and Ford tractors but not for compacts. I do have to say with a 2wd you may have problems with having a loader. If I don't use the 4wd I tend to get stuck rather often.

Normmm · Jul 10, 2006

I seem to remember RCO saying their loader was less expensive than Koyker. You set the value of a tractor based on Its condition and usefellness to you, not on how much you paid for it. You could always get a more expensive tractor. If you find a cheap loader it will be just that cheap.

normde2001 · Jul 10, 2006

I don't believe you will like a loader on that small of a 2wd tractor. I would try to trade or sell and get a 4wd with a loader.

Mace · Jul 10, 2006

I'm pretty sure that at this point RCO will only sell one of their loaders with one of their tractors, but it would be worth asking. Their #1 loader is very equivalent to the Koyker 80 I have.

Cord · Jul 10, 2006

I put a Kwik-way loader on my tractor. It was a major project that I won't be attempting again. The tractor works with the loader in 2wd, but it's very easy to get into a situation where you can't move. 4wd is nearly a requirement.

kmosabe · Jul 10, 2006

kmosabe said:
I have a yanmar 1300 2x2. I know a koyker 80 will fit it, but do not like the expense of 2500, which is more than the tractor. Anyone out there with FEL's of other brands on smaller 1300, 1500, 1401, etc, let me know your brand and if significant amounts of modification were needed.

okay, everybody, thanks for the good input. I have called RCO; their loader is specific for their tractors. They anticipate selling to the general public, loaders in the near future, at the moment, they sell loader/tractor combo's only. If a front end loader is not the best option, how about a three point dirt scoop. I mainly want the capability of being able to haul things like landscape rocks, brush, etc. Also would like to be able to do some landscaping and would like to move some dirt. I guess, there are 1300 2x2 tractors out there with loaders or why would koykers website list that as an option? Was hoping for someone with a 2x2 1300 to have a loader and could give me some info, but appreciate everybodies so far.

Eddie · Jul 10, 2006

I have a 1700 2wd with FEL and I have absolutely no problem with traction. When I'm going to move dirt or anything like that I make sure I have the LS box on the rear for weight. I moved 54 tons of gravel in 2 hours and put it in porches. It will do some work. By the way, I bought it off Ebay and installed it myself.

roxynoodle · Jul 10, 2006

Well I am sure it could work for you if you didn't put much in it. But I live on very flat ground and get stuck often in 2wd. I have gotten stuck in the gravel driveway because the rear wheels dug down in it and last week got stuck on an anthill in my pasture that I didn't even see til I was in it. It was not a big anthill either! I had to use the differential lock to get out of that. So based on my limited loader experience I think 4wd is a must on a small tractor. Perhaps if you filled your rear tires and had ballast back there that would make a difference. Then again if you have rice tires, too much rear weight could make you dig down more.

The rear scoop can be a good option if you don't have a lot of need for a loader. My loader is something I use everyday when I muck my stalls to avoid all the heavy lifting I've been doing for years. It was the main reason I bought a tractor. A loader was non negotiable.

As for value, your tractor would be worth quite a bit more with the loader. Had I just wanted a tractor I could have had a nice one for at least $2k less. Just don't think you will be happy with it without 4wd. You won't get work done faster if you have to keep using your truck or something to pull it out of whatever it's stuck in.

California · Jul 11, 2006

My experience was a little different. Years ago I rented the smallest Kubota 4x4 one weekend, and the smallest Yanmar 2x4 the next. The project was to remodel a small, steep residential backyard into terraces. I dug the terraces using the scraper box teeth then the loader.

The Yanmar was more productive. The Kubota could push harder into a pile, but the little Yanmar handled easier and therfor faster in every other part of the project.

Both tractors felt like the tires were loaded with the heaviest possible solution, probably CACL or beet juice, and probably wheel weights but I don't remember.

I remember noting considerable surprise that the 2x4 Yanmar was so much better than the Kubota, which I had asumed was the best unit for the project.

For wet slippery ground - no contest, you need 4x4. If like me you don't go out until the ground is down to tillable moisture content, I think 2x4 is a reasonable choice with a loader, even on these tiny ones.