H120 Loader Installation

bradrich18 · Feb 27, 2015

I'm about to get an H120 loader for my 1026R. The dealer said the installation charge would be around $300 to have them install it. He said it wasn't too hard to install and I could probably do it myself. Does anyone have any experience with this? If so, how hard is it and should I do it or pay the $300? Thanks.

kevinwak · Feb 27, 2015

There is a good chance it is similar to the 200cx loader on my 2520. If it is there are four large bolts per side, and that is it... Not sure the size, but I am guessing they would need 1-1/8" wrench. Oh and you might need to assemble the actual arms. My Deere snowblower came with very detailed installation instructions, and I would expect the same from the loader. Oh, and remember to buy an extra jug or two of hydraulic fluid, as the cylinders and hoses will need to be filled.

beenthere · Feb 27, 2015

If you do any wrenching at all, should be within your ability to follow the directions that come with it. Know your left from your right so the parts get added to the correct sides is important.

The lifting from the pallet may make you wish you had a sky hook... be it another FEL handy or an overhead lift of some description with a chain hoist. But think you can figure that out, even if you have to add some redneck ingenuity.

If you run into any trouble, TBN will likely be able to get you through it along with some of your pics of the situation.

Tx Jim · Feb 28, 2015

Ditto what beenthere stated. My having been previously employed by a JD dealer as a service manager overseeing/helping install FEL's I think installing them is easy if one follows the directions.

bradrich18 · Feb 28, 2015

Thanks guys. I'm probably gonna go buy one today as long as it fits on one of my trailers (5'x8' or 5'x12').

Zebrafive · Feb 28, 2015

bradrich18 said:
Thanks guys. I'm probably gonna go buy one today as long as it fits on one of my trailers (5'x8' or 5'x12').

It should fix with room to spare. They stand the bucket on the pallet between the loader boom. Smaller parts are boxed and strapped in the bucket.

bradrich18 · Feb 28, 2015

I picked it up around noon and got it on about an hour before dark. Everything seems to be good, but I felt like there may be something off in the hydraulic system. I added more fluid after I got the loader hoses hooked up and working. While I was in 4wd, I started hearing a growling-like noise. I put it on the garage to let it cool off and then I'm gonna check the fluid and take it from there.

beenthere · Feb 28, 2015

If the up-down of the loader arms were correct, and the curl up-down was correct, should have the hoses correct.

If there is a growl, then maybe the engine rpm was real low... ?? Fluid check will be good to do, and will be interested to learn what you find out.

Don't know what you infer when you say "I put it on the garage to let it cool off... ". Why would it need to "cool off" ?? I assume "on the garage" means "in the garage".

s219 · Feb 28, 2015

Yeah, you would need to add some fluid to top off the tractor after the loader hydraulics were filled up. May also be some air in the system that needs to work its way out.

kevinwak · Mar 1, 2015

Did you have anything on the rear of the tractor for ballast? The growling in 4X4 may be from the high loading, and thus causing very little slip between the tires and the ground, on the front axle now that all that weight is hanging over it. It should disappear when you hang a counter weight off the back.