Front-End Loader Front End Loaders

[MMM]

685 with loaded tires will handle 1200lbs in mud, let alone wet grass. Main concern with round bales is front axles. if you have tubular adjustables as they tend to fail.doing a lot of round bale work in lumpy pastures. Some 685s came with the HD cast axle. I believe the IH2150 loader was common install for that tractor and can be found for half price of BH one.

 

[tkcomer]

The 685 is a row-crop model. I got some pics with the hood off so I could clean the radiator: http://www.pixagogo.com/7000025205 Click on the pic to make it bigger. Click on original to make it even bigger. Are these the tube type axles? Going forward is no problem. Unless you try to blast through a snowdrift and bury it. No fun digging that thing out. The 484 couldn’t move it at all. $3800 doesn’t sound bad for a Bush Hog brand. I don’t even know where to look for a used one. I never see those for sale.

 

[MMM]

That's the tubular, but can't see holes to tell if it's the adjustable or not. 1200lbs is a smallish bale and you may get by ok. I think the HD axle requires a different bolster fabbed from steel plate instead of cast steel.

 

[tkcomer]

Axle is adjustable but the bolster is cast. When the axle fails, do they break off? That would be a disaster at 15 MPH hauling 2 bales.

 

[MMM]

Keep tread width narrow so holes aren'texposed and there's less leverage. lThey usually fold from cracks at holes Either way would be a disaster at 15mph.. There is a non adjustable axle that is stronger and will work with cast bolster.
15mph is too fast for me to pack hay bales around, even on blacktop. My loaded tires get kinda squirrely. If you're looking to save time, get a hay trailer and you can pull it 60mph if needed, with 2-5 times as many bales depending on truck.

 

[tkcomer]

I just priced a Bush Hog brand loader (244QT) for $5500 plus installation. This is with a 72” bucket and bale spear. They are not sure what it will take (Or cost) to install it. And this is at a Case-IH dealer. I stopped by a friend’s place and looked at his John Deere FEL. He recommended to not get the self adjusting loader if I have 2WD. He mentioned that you couldn’t get yourself out of trouble with a self adjusting loader. He also recommended against putting a loader on the DX for what I’m wanting to do. Except for the round bales, he said the DX would be fine, but because of the round bales, he could not recommend a FEL on that tractor. Is this a good price on the Bush Hog brand FEL? And is he right on the self adjusting loader?

 

[MMM]

That\s about right for the BH model and why I suggested the 2250. They're quite common and mount right up. with no special installation (may need power beyond plate for remote valve) required for 2500 bucks or less.

 

[tkcomer]

I never see a loader for sale in my area, much less a specific model. Very rare to see one in the KY edition of Fastline. The 2446QT is for 2WD and 4WD tractors. The 2426QT is for 2WD only. I keep thinking if I buy a new one, I’d want a model that I could swap over if I trade tractors down the road. But it would be a long time. The 685 only has about 1600 hours on it. It has a lot of life left in it.

 

[MMM]

I read in your original post about can't afford one. I normally see loaders at auctions or salvage and not many in classifieds.
You don't have to break the bank. The Ford industrial (3000lb lift. 5000lb BO force) I mounted was 800 bucks and maybe 500 more in new hoses and good bit of steel. (It is mounted on fabbed 4X4 rails that extend back to axles for extra pushing strength). Cylinders can be repacked for near nothin if they leak.

 

[tkcomer]

Well I did see a used FEL on a Case-IH 495. That thing was rough. It looked like it needed all new hoses and the joystick was flopped over to one side. All for about $2000 installed. If they could install it on my 685. I passed on that one. I think I’ll wait and save for a new one, hence the new post, unless I stumble on to a good used one. Thanks to all for the info. I’m slowly learning.