Opinions on FELs

[Hysyde]

NOw I know this is a very general and broad based question, but I want to hear people's opinions on what they think are some of the best OEM FELs and aftermarket manufactures of loaders. I'm talking for tractors sized from about 60 to 140 hp from say the last 15 - 20 years.

I have used many brands and types of agri FELs but I've never came across one that comes anywhere close to that of a good TLB. Is there any agri loaders out there that are near as good?

The time has come to replace our White 700 4wd loader tractor. I have discussed everything from skidsteers to TLB's with my father, but he seems fairly set on getting a tractor (needs the PTO and pulling) in the 60 - 90 hp range. Plus TLBs are fairly expensive. We need to remove a lot of manure and we are always using the loader to dig and move dirt etc. It is also used for handling large square and round bales.

If I didn't think he needed a machine with a PTO, I would really try and lean him towards a larger skidsteer or older TLB, but I think he is set on a tractor.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[plumboy]

My massey aint worth the steel its made from.I think the problem is I'm used to my 580 and there is no fel for a tractor that is going to be even clost to the power/speed.I'm allways bending my front cylinder rods backdragging(aggressively) and have to use some wood blocks to straighten them back out.But it is made for ag and not for maintaining a mx track so I digress.IMO it sticks to far out in front of the tractor.I've had the bush hog brand and loved it.Sits snug against the front end when loading and is very easy to see.My next fel will be a quick.

 

[tough451]

The best after market loader I have used so far is Bush hog. And no it want compete with a commerical (industrial) loader and it wasnt designed to. My brother has a 5410 4wd JD with a 541( I think) Loader that does very well in farming purposes. If buying used could you buy the farm tractor you need and some type of skid steer. Just a thought.

 

[BarryinMN]

I run an AC615 TLB 60hp. I agree nothing is as rigid as an industrial, however my Zetor loader has pushed 12Klb rocks with no damage. Allis would not budge it, even the backhoe

 

[ZJ_HR]

Seems that ALO / QUICKE loaders are very popular there.
A friend have one, and is very satisfied with it.

Just a curious question: Why allmost no one loader here hasn't self leveling?
Here (Europe) nobody won't offer one without it.

 

[onegreenday]

ZJ: My Quicke/alo dealer says loader with self leveling runs almost $2K more. Pricey...

I've been looking over loaders and the highest loader rating I have come across for a 60HP +/- tractor is the MF loader. The MF1070 loader lifts 3,500 lbs. to full height @ bucket edge.

Zetor 102HL loader loads 2,590 lbs. at bucket edge (31.5" ahead of pivot) and is "self-leveling".

Loader specs vary a lot even in the literature. The MF loader catalog says 1,975 lbs. at bucket edge (to full height) for the MF1040 loader but when I went to a MF dealer he pulled out a spec sheet (newer???) that says 2,813 lbs. (bucket edge) for the same loader (838 lbs more).

 

[jwcinpk]

I can tell you stay away from great bend. Slow and weak! I doubt you'll get anywhere near industrial strength.

 

[dancce]

The best ag loaders on the market, that I have seen are the Quicke-Alo and the Zetor---both are somewhat similar in design. Quicke -Alo makes loaders to fit most major brand tractors---but the Zetors only fit Zetor tractors. Interestingly, though, the Czech Republic factory that makes the Zetor loaders, also makes loaders for Fendt tractors.

dancce

 

[cowboydoc]

I don't know you can beat the Deere heavy duty loaders. They are integrated to match all the stress points of the tractor and the loader. Everything is custom made to match the specific tractor. The problem with aftermarket loaders is that they try and fit every tractor. If you get the specific loader for the specific tractor your results will be much better.

 

[Nat]

You can buy a pretty good old backhoe for less than 10 K, and then you have an industrial loader, and a backhoe to boot. I don't think you can buy any loader as heavily built to go on a farm tractor any cheaper, and then you still don't have a hoe. Later, Nat