Has anyone ever heard of, or bought and used, the "HelpMate" loaders offered by Compact Tractor Consultants? They advertised their loaders to be stronger, lighter weight, better fit, balanced better, etc. than the Koyker, Allied, etc. I'm hoping to purchase a loader this spring for my Yanmar 1500D and was considering these. Any thoughts?
Front-end Loaders
- Thread starter Alexander
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Ductape
Elite Member
There is a gentleman who posts here who just installed one on his tractor. I know he has had good things to say about his.... hopefully he will chime in here. They look a bit unorthodox, but at the same time look innovative. I've been browsing at them myself !
Scott
Scott
Ductape
Elite Member
I'm ashamed to say it, but i don't know how to link to his thread on this subject. Go back to the second page in the Yanmar section..... read the thread titled "Welding Loader Mounts" .
Ductape, I read through the thread you referenced, thanks. I would like to hear him comment on his loader though, now after using it a while. Does Koyker detach at the arms leaving only the bumper and underbody? And if so is it a quick job? I might be willing to pay a little extra for a Koyker if it does as I use a 60" finish mower with mine - around many obstacles that might be nice without the FEL hanging out the front and sides all the time.
Tractors4u
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I have had many Koyker loaders and yes they do detach leaving only the loader mounts at the mid section of the tractor, the side rails and bumper.
F15DOWNER
Bronze Member
I have had my Helpmate I for about two weeks on my F15D but I haven't had much of a chance to play yet. I have moved some gravel around (it's very wet up here this time of the year)
So far it worked very well, But The arms aren't quick disconnect. I can remove the bucket in seconds and switch to a set of forks, boom pole or anything I want. It even has aux. hydraulic's at the bucket. It really didn't matter to me because I plan to leave it on all of the time. I mow with mine also, but with the bucket off I only loose about 12" in the front and the side clearance is not much of an issue, it only sticks out maybe an inch on each side past the tires. My friend has a Koyker and it is a very very nice loader, the Helpmate is a little more compact and less bulky.
If you can get a decent price on a Koyker, I wouldn't hesitate. Personally, I couldn't find a Koyker locally at a reasonable price.
If you can't find one local I would contact Buck, Len, LMTC or Hoye , Buck mentioned something about drop shipment from Koyker if you had no other alternative except getting overcharged. LMTC or Len would probably be nearest to you, that post here. (I'm not sure who is on your side of town, hopefully it's not the same one that I had price one out.)
The dealer in my area, in my opinion, is less than desirable and I would rather drive 500 miles than purchase from them, but I'm not going to mention any names in public.
My story isn't the only one bad either.
Good luck, and if I can answer any other questions feel free to email me at ushighway6@alltel.net. You can come down and test drive it if you would like.
Tom
So far it worked very well, But The arms aren't quick disconnect. I can remove the bucket in seconds and switch to a set of forks, boom pole or anything I want. It even has aux. hydraulic's at the bucket. It really didn't matter to me because I plan to leave it on all of the time. I mow with mine also, but with the bucket off I only loose about 12" in the front and the side clearance is not much of an issue, it only sticks out maybe an inch on each side past the tires. My friend has a Koyker and it is a very very nice loader, the Helpmate is a little more compact and less bulky.
If you can get a decent price on a Koyker, I wouldn't hesitate. Personally, I couldn't find a Koyker locally at a reasonable price.
If you can't find one local I would contact Buck, Len, LMTC or Hoye , Buck mentioned something about drop shipment from Koyker if you had no other alternative except getting overcharged. LMTC or Len would probably be nearest to you, that post here. (I'm not sure who is on your side of town, hopefully it's not the same one that I had price one out.)
The dealer in my area, in my opinion, is less than desirable and I would rather drive 500 miles than purchase from them, but I'm not going to mention any names in public.
My story isn't the only one bad either.
Good luck, and if I can answer any other questions feel free to email me at ushighway6@alltel.net. You can come down and test drive it if you would like.
Tom
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Personally, I couldn't find a Koyker locally at a reasonable price. )</font> There is no question that loader prices have gone up sharply in the past two years.....the primary reason is the increase in steel prices. A newcomer on the market could be expected to be at rock bottom for a year or two trying to get a market share. Never used nor seen this loader, but do know that the measure of a product or company is not only how often they have a problem (as ALL do eventually), but how they handle it. Koyker backs their product to a level that leaves us completely comfortable selling it.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( but I'm not going to mention any names in public.)</font> Just for my reference, would this be something one would use on a boat?
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( but I'm not going to mention any names in public.)</font> Just for my reference, would this be something one would use on a boat?
Tim_Ternest
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<font color="red"> </font> I have a ym2000bd I have a helpmate loader i installed i love it.
Somtimes i wish it was bigger. But over all i like it. i know where you can get these loader for about 2000.00 new.912 313 0483. Tim
Somtimes i wish it was bigger. But over all i like it. i know where you can get these loader for about 2000.00 new.912 313 0483. Tim
justanotherjoe
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LMTC--My experience with Koyker was somewhat different. Bought a new KB60 backhoe that the boom circuit leaks such that the booms falls at least an inch per second. Koyker suggested that I return the unit to them. I'm in Arizona, they are in the Dakotas, the unit weighs 600 pounds.
lens12
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I've installed Koyker , Leon, & Helpmate (Leon copy). The Koyker is the easiest to install, followed by Helpmate. Koyker has a big selection of mounting brackets. Helpmate has a few. So you may have to fabricate the brackets. I can sell a Koyker cheaper than the other 2. Shipping would be about the same. Contact me if interested.