Opinions is probably all you will get. My last tractor was a Massey 245. I bought a Great Bend loader with adequate lifting capacity. Unfortunately several things were problems which is what seems to happen way too often. The hydraulics on a Massey are inadequate for a loader as was the design of the tractor. The specs said it could lift 2000#. The tractor hydraulics gave the 3 point priority and required you to set a hydraulic switch for the loader. You could either lift something with the loader or turn the loader completely off to use the 3 point. If you had an implement on the 3 point, you could not use the loader at all until the 3 point lifted the implement to the top at which time the loader would start working. With a 1000# on the 3 point, you could hardly lift 500# with the loader at the implement banged up and down everytime you touched the loader controls.
The loader was not bad. A few loaders have to be adapted to a lot of tractors with brackets that are not always perfect for the tractor.
I compare that with a Kubota loader that is matched to the
M6800. It has clamps and hose guides and braces in all the right places. I have yet to see an aftermarket loader installed that fits as well or removes as easily. The loader uses midpoint quick connect hydraulic couplings and leaves the frame and control levers on the tractor with the loader removed. They can be used for other hydraulic applications if need be.
All after market loaders will paint them to match your tractor, but paint is not the main issue. Loaders are a very complex attachment that affects the weight distribution and stability of your tractor. It matters whether it is 2WD (never intended for a loader) or 4WD so the loader will clear the front wheels. Many aftermarket loaders rate their loader at hydraulic flows that are not available on most tractors and the specs mean very little. Don't be too influenced with loader specs. The limiting factor is usually the tractor.
Most manufacturers rate their loaders and set them up to be compatable with your tractor. I see no evidence that the capacity is influenced by marketing - their lawyer perhaps. You can, of course, buy an aftermarket loader that will lift more than your tractor is capable of lifting with or without damage or stability problems. If you look at a John Deere manual, it always recommends full Calcium filling of the rear tires plus additional weight on the rear 3 point of the tractor to get to specified lifting weight. When you lift 2000# on the loader, you will need close to 2000# weight in the tires or 3 point to maintain the same degree of stability that the tractor was designed to have. My Kubota manual recommends filling the tires and then using a 1000# implement on the 3 point.
Nope, no more after market loaders for me if an OEM loader is available.
