Front-End Loader Sizing for FEL

Jerome · Dec 25, 2006

SWMBO told me that she thought it was a good idea for me to get a FEL for my Kubota L245DT. Not one to pass up an opportunity like that I have some questions. It will have to be a used one so my question is how do you size a FEL to a tractor? What should I look for? Are the things to stay away from? How do they attach? Thanks again for all the help.

wushaw · Dec 25, 2006

Well ya call your Kubota dealer and find out what size FEL Kubota recommends and what part# kubota sells or sold for that unit.
There are other FEL manufactures that will be able to help also, Woods, Bushhog are a few.

Glowplug · Dec 25, 2006

Yeah, the dimensions and specs of the loader have to match your tractor. What I would do is figure out what brand of loader you want. Decide whether you want a Kubota or a 3rd party brand. Then go to a dealer for that loader brand. They should have all the manufacturers recommendations and compatability tables and match you up with a loader. Finding a used one would be extremely difficult. You could do the above recommended method, figure out what loader you need, then abandon the dealer and search the internet. But then you'd have to have somebody install it and I bet that wouldn't be an easy task. Of course your dealer may have used ones. Good luck!

chrisjbell · Dec 25, 2006

It is possible to use a loader not specifically designed for your model of tractor, but there will be some drawbacks. If you get a FEL that is made for your tractor it will come with a bracket (or brackets - basically a sub frame) that is bolted to the tractor frame. You'll also have a hydraulic setup that will allow for reasonably quick and easy connecting and disconnecting (depends on the model - my B7300 has quick-connects, some of the larger ones don't). This allows you to remove and reinstall the loader fairly quickly and easily. A loader not specific to your tractor will need to be...uh, "engineered" to fit, which may require frame work or hydraulic plumbing that may not be very easy to service.