Loader Vs, Big Dirt Scoop?

[Nuru]

Just got a look at this website, http://www.westendorfmfg.com/

This firm makes small 3 Pt. Dirt Scoops that are 48" and 60". They also have some hydraulic versions. What do you guys think? For $800, for a 60" dirt scoop, might not be so bad. They also do good loaders too, quick release and less than JD.

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color=blue>...What do you guys think? For $800, for a 60" dirt scoop, might not be so bad...</font color=blue>

So... you're trading your 4100 tractor in for a larger model to use this...? /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[TresCrows]

A 30 inch is the largest practical size for a 4100 size machine. I would be careful with after market loaders, they may not be compatible witha MMM and also doubt they perform equal to the JD unit, could be wrong, but not likely.
J

 

[Nuru]

Actually, one of the JD dealers is using it on his 4100 (non-hydraulic - not pictured on the website), and he says it wokrs pretty well. I am still looking hard at rhe 410 loader, but this scoop intrigued me, as long as you keep the weight down below 700 pounds, I think it may work our pretty well for moving light weight matterial like mulch and small loads of rocks - will save the shoveling?

 

[Nuru]

Tres, yes I am still looking hard at the 410 loader. Also a 36 inch scoop will work well too on a normally aspirated 4100, but since my 4100 is , ..etc. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif.

Now if I had a BX2200, well yes I agree that a 24" scoop is the largest size practical for that machine (I am sorry, I could not help having an opportunity to poke a little fun /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif at a very capable tractor's High Priest!)

Tres, I am looking to see if the 48" scoop from this company is practical for my 4100. I think the 60" maybe a little too big, but that 48" might be just enough. They also have a away of making it like a dumping forklift, but how that works remains to be seen. I will talk wit them on Monday.

 

[jyoutz]

Nuru, I have a 36" scoop that I use on my 4100. Works great and I think that I could use a 48" scoop. Its certainly better than a shovel and wheel barrow. BUT, I would advise against getting too much money into a scoop. Because you know that you will eventually buy a loader. They are SO HANDY AND VERSATILE compared to a scoop. I would advise that you forget about aftermarket loaders if you want to use your mid mount mower. You see, the 410 loader is the only one compatable with the mower linkage. I almost bought a Great Bend loader until I discovered that the subframe would have to be dismounted with tools and the mower subframe reinstalled every time I wanted to change from loader to mower. The 410 is so sweet and handy and is perfected matched to the tractor. By the way, I still ocassionally use the scoop when I'm moving lots of loose material and I want to double my capacity over just using the loader.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Dirt Scoop
24" Dirt scoop-- $145
30" Dirt scoop-- $159

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HoyeTractor@aol.com
Or call us at (940)-636-3910

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~~~from the web~~~

 

[Mike_S]

Nuru--I used a rear dirt scoop on my Kubota B8200HST which is close in capability to your JD4100 and I also used it on my JD955 and it was a lot better than a wheelbarrow. I moved a lot of materials with it, but ignorance was bliss and I was a lot younger then and staying turned around in the tractor seat didn't seem to bother my body much then. Having used a JD FEL on two 4400HSTs, I can tell you that there is no comparison in using a rear scoop vs. a FEL. As I look back at owning a Yanmar, two Kubotas and three Deeres, and primarily using all except the 4400's as lawnmowers, I realize that having a FEL IS a reason to own a tractor whereas I could have probably mowed faster and easier with a Grasshopper, for example. People in my area (south of Kansas City) are STILL cleaning up after that last ice storm and I saw a person yesterday using a JD445 with a FEL picking up limbs and moving them and dumping them onto a pile. A couple of weeks ago I removed the bucket and added the forks, placed a pallet on them and helped my neighbors move their limbs onto burn piles. The FEL is way more versatile than the rear scoop--been there and done that! Good luck in your choice. Mike S.

 

[Nuru]

John, Actually I have seen this website, the 30" scoop is a very nice price, but If I get a scoop at all it will be larger. And if I get a 48" or 60" scoop with hydro lift, the 410 loader is out of the picture.

 

[Nuru]

Jyoutz, thanks for the input. I do not plan to mow with a loader on the front. I do currently have chores that can use a scoop or a loader. I am not picking up debris at this time , but you never know. One thing is that the loader is $2500+ (I definitely have to get a MMM, so ...etc), and that is over my budget for this year's purchases, and the scoops vary from ~$160 to $800 (hydro-lift), so they are well within the budget. BTW, you are saying that the 36" scoop has more capacity than the loader? Are you using a 60" bucket?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Not for nothing...

I wouldn't even consider $800. for a rear dirt scoop...

I don't know what the loader cost for a 4100...{$2200-2600?}...

but it has to add greatly to the resale value of your tractor and increase your "usage factor" a hundred fold over any other implement... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

For a few hundred dollars to play around with... ok get the dirt scoop... but I really think you're "over estimating" the usage of this without adding "money/weights" to the front of your tractor to hold it down...

This is another one of those things you just have to do and experience for yourself and finally determine... "Ah... that's what they meant..." /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

 

[MikeFLA]

Nuru,

I have to agree with what Mike S. has said about the value of a loader. My neighbor has one on his Kubota and before I got my tractor I used it.

Having said that, I currently use a 36" Dirt Scoop on my B7500 and have really come to appreciate it's <font color=blue>"value"</font color=blue>. It literally does <font color=red>"for me"</font color=red> 75% of what an FEL could do at 8% of the cost.

My only wish it that it was wider. At least enough to cover my rear tire tracks.

 

[Nuru]

MikeS, thanks for the input. I do understand the rear facing stress, and that is why I won't get a rear blade for snow-plowing, I just went ahead and bought a front blade. Now yes a loader does have the advantage of being much more versatile, but unless I get some extra money or the price suddenly drops, i may have to make a short-term decision and get one of those scoops.

 

[Nuru]

John; In the NE, the 410 cost $2500+. I would not buy the $800 dollar version of the scoop, unless it came with the Hydro, making similar to a forklift. The 36" scoops cost approximately $300 - $350. Weights, I already got the weights to hold the frontend down when using it. Yes I thoroughly understand the utility of the loader. But again , I am just thinking about which way to go and all the inputs are very helpful!

 

[CSAW]

I have never used a rear scoop, however, It would not do most of the things that I use my fel for. I use it alot for loading things into the back of a truck. Lifting things higher than a scoop will. Pushing trees over, dumping things over the fence, etc. It can also get you out if you are stuck.

IMHO I believe you will be much happier if you use the scoop money towards a loader.

 

[TerryinMD]

Nuru,

This subject has been bantered about quite a few times. Shelling out somewhere between $2.2-2.5K plus installation is a big decision. You will never regret it if you bought the FEL.

As most have pointed out, the FEL is probably one of the most versatile implements one can have on their tractor. The 410 is easy to attach and remove. Put on a toothbar and you'll be looking for projects. It's gotten to the point where my wife is beginning to suggest work for me!! /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif And, of course, neighbors always need a hand doing something!!

However, I can understand your dilemma.... when and where to spend/justify/cajole/promise/beg that much money. The CFO and I did a quick cost/benefit analysis. For an extra $30 or so a month, we are getting lots of time consuming work completed in a matter of hours instead of days.

Terry

 

[Nuru]

CSAW, thanks for the advice. Hmmm, help get me out if i get stuck. That is definietley a consideration to ponder. what else do I want to use this for!

 

[Nuru]

Terry, Hello, Yes I know exactly what you mean, my SCFO (Supreme CFO), gets real irritated when I happen to slip up and mention something like the loader in cost. She knows i need the MMM, but that loader, well she is not convinced, and that leads to mucho consternation if i goahead and buy it - just like when i bought the Monitor Lizard (at 2ft) and told her it was full grown (grows to 6 - 7ft). she still gets on me about that one (lizard threw-up a mouse and that really stunk up the house).

However, just reviewing the messages on the board, I guess I should bail and get a small scoop now for a cheap price and save up my pennies for a FEL in 2003.

 

[billfires]

Nuru, is there a possibility of selling the front blade to help with the FEL purchase? You could get FEL and in the future pick up a rear blade. I'll echo what's been said already, the FEL is the most used implement.

Bill C

 

[TresCrows]

Ditto what Mike says. Many of the uses for a FEL have nothing to do with scooping dirt or mulch, things like lifting heavy objects like drill presses and railroad ties, unloading a 500 lb ball and burlap tree from my truck, toting plants and tools such as my saws to the work site, or hauling firewood and the one I like best---after sawing and cutting out brush and dead trees and cutting them up into a decent size I then use the FEL to (and boxblade) bulldoze them and compact them into a pile. I was the envy of the neighborhood the first time I collected a huge pile of limbs and such and pushed into it with the BX loader, all four tires starting spinning and the little 'bota charged into the pile snaping limbs and branches like tooth pics. It was impressive to all who beheld the sight and the 2410 really slams into a brush pile with authority just as your 4100 would also. I go in low with the loader and then raise it and keep the bucket level and shove and smash the stuff into a compact pile for burning, some of my piles are as big as a small house--no kidding.
J