grand L 4240

[beppington]

... I just wondered if anyone else could comment on this issue, as I want to possibly order a B2630 with the fender-mounted (short stick). ...

Raise, lower, dump & curl are all very easy to control on my Grand L.

Actually, the loader's control stick on my dad's loader-mounted control valve on his Mahindra 4110 is much shorter than my fender-mounted one. However, I will say both are very easy to control accurately.

This pic shows the length of the Grand L's fender-mounted stick:

And this one shows my dad's loader-mounted stick:

So I was going to take his advice, and get the B2630's standard, LOADER-mounted FEL lever, but a recent back injury (and surgery) has me wondering if I really want to LEAN FORWARD to operate the FEL.

I will also say, I much prefer mine, i.e. not having to reach out to operate the loader-mounted control. I can operate mine with my elbow resting comfortably on the arm rest :thumbsup: ... & I have no such back issues (for now. knock on wood).

 

[TripleR]

Pretty much what beppington said as it is going to vary from tractor to tractor. The loader mount FEL controls on the tractors I used were shorter than the fender or side console models.

I really don't like a long loader control lever and on our M8540 operate it not with the knob, but about halfway up at the crook. The fender mount on my 5030 is only about a foot long if that much and a bit different than the one on the L40 Series.

I am a little long in the tooth and have bad shoulders, so reaching forward for extended periods is something I try to avoid.

Look at the controls in some of the skid steers, very short, but they seem to work well.

Your dad's "feel" for a machine is naturally going to be different as a professional vs hobbyist. He will probably notice or catch things that go over our heads and his definition of "precise" surely will differ from mine.

Hats off to your dad, he truly is a member of "The Greatest Generation".:thumbsup:

 

[crazyal]

And the only fender-mounted sticks I've used were 20+ years ago, on his 480 and 580K Case backhoes.

The 580k is dash mounted. The case 480 dozer is on the side of the seat. That could be why I like the fender control on the GL. While using the dozer I'm always adjusting the blade where as on the BH I only use the loader controls for a short time then drive.

I don't know about others but I find the curl function too slow (mainly when dumping) on the GLs. I would like it to be faster. But I think that has to do more with the way the hydraulic cylinders are set up. The 580K is designed where the cylinders retract to dump so it needs less fluid, is faster.