Loader Operation on compacts

jdawg1 · Jul 8, 2015

Hey all,
First post here. Beginning my search for a 32-39 HP tractor with loader for tilling, spreading, spraying and occasional loader/pallet work.
Would really like to know which makes of tractors in this range have loaders that can both curl and lift at the same time (if any)?
I am sure I would get use to single action loader work but I never owned a tractor before and all the ones I have used in the past had dual operation buckets.
Thanks for your help guys. Be posting soon to seek help making a final selection. So far narrowed down to JD 3032e, LS XR3037HST, Kioti CK35HST and Kubota MX series if budget permits. Open to slightly used models too.

chim · Jul 8, 2015

My Kubota L3200 can multitask, but the Montana at work cannot.

Grandad4 · Jul 8, 2015

jdawg1 said:
Hey all,
First post here. Beginning my search for a 32-39 HP tractor with loader for tilling, spreading, spraying and occasional loader/pallet work.
Would really like to know which makes of tractors in this range have loaders that can both curl and lift at the same time (if any)?
I am sure I would get use to single action loader work but I never owned a tractor before and all the ones I have used in the past had dual operation buckets.
Thanks for your help guys. Be posting soon to seek help making a final selection. So far narrowed down to JD 3032e, LS XR3037HST, Kioti CK35HST and Kubota MX series if budget permits. Open to slightly used models too.

Good question! if all you do is go by the spec sheets, you'd never know anything about details like that. Can't comment about the other machines, but the Kubota MX loader would do that easily. I have an earlier model of the same loader and often use a lift/curl action to move pallets of goods to/from a storage loft. For that matter, even the loader on my little BX can do that (although it's too small to handle a pallet ). Spend some time actually operating any model you're considering to see what it does and how it feels.

mddorange · Jul 8, 2015

:welcome:
To TBN JDawg. With most manufactures 0% financing it is easy to get a new one if desired.

TSO · Jul 8, 2015

All the tractors I have owned can use both functions at the same time (Kioti, LS, Massey) however, the loader on my buddies Kubota L3540 is much smoother at doing both functions together.

oldnslo · Jul 8, 2015

Depends on the style of control valve and also proficiency of the operator.

Some tractors have a series / parallel directional valve where the flow from the lift cylinders is fed down stream to the curl cylinders. This style of valve makes doing dual movements easier. (I believe Kubota has this style on some of their models)

Other style of valve is parallel only. Here the operator must feather both controls to obtain dual movements. Control Depends on how well the spools meter & skill of the operator.

Style used on the Kubota BX and also my Branson.

GManBart · Jul 8, 2015

All of those machines are capable of it, but they aren't self-leveling so you have to find the sweet spot between lift and curl with the joystick. I can't think of any machines in this general size that have a self-leveling loader, but somebody might offer one.

If you can swing the price of the smallest MX (4900) that would bump you up in size for the LS and Kioti as well. You could go up to an XR4046 or NX4510 and spend less than what you would for the MX4900. I don't know why Kubota insists on sticking with the FEL controls mounted to the loader frame, but it's nowhere near as convenient as having the controls on the fender. It can be tiring hanging your arm up in the air for extended loader work, and it's harder to be precise that way. The joystick is also in the way if you want/need to get on or off the tractor from the right side.

Hdoilcan · Jul 8, 2015

Iv read that the LS has dual function but when I tried out the xr3037 it didn't seem to have it. That was one thing I was bummed out about campared to my last Kubota.

TSO · Jul 8, 2015

Hdoilcan said:
Iv read that the LS has dual function but when I tried out the xr3037 it didn't seem to have it. That was one thing I was bummed out about campared to my last Kubota.

It DOES have it... Just takes lots of practice. The valve system Kubota uses is much better with the dual function.

GManBart · Jul 8, 2015

Hdoilcan said:
Iv read that the LS has dual function but when I tried out the xr3037 it didn't seem to have it. That was one thing I was bummed out about campared to my last Kubota.

As TSO mentioned, the LS does have the capability, but you have to learn where the sweets spot is...after a while you don't really think about it, but it would be nice if it was easier to find.

Hdoilcan · Jul 8, 2015

TSO said:
It DOES have it... Just rakes lots of practice. The valve system Kubota uses is much better.

That's go to know then. You said Kioti has it also? Is it set up the same way as the LS

TSO · Jul 8, 2015

Hdoilcan said:
That's go to know then. You said Kioti has it also? Is it set up the same way as the LS

I don't recall exactly, it's been a few years since I operated a Kioti... But I want to say it worked well on the little ck20 I had.

zzvyb6 · Jul 8, 2015

The Deere's have a loader models with self leveling buckets. They've been around for quite a while.Its not a valve skill deal. The curl cylinders are on pivots that maintain bucket (i.e. fork) level positions while you lift. See the 562 and 563 loaders. We use one for feeding the cows so you don't spill a bucket load. You don't need special skills, valves or training to get the job done. Perfect for forks.

Do your homework. Plus, the extra pivot links would be easy to make for changing a hinged bucket to a self leveling one.

TSO · Jul 8, 2015

That's true, in compacts, the JD 300cx & 400cx loaders are mechanical self leveling. I believe they are the only mfg that offers this in a compact

kennyd · Jul 8, 2015

TSO said:
That's true, in compacts, the JD 300cx & 400cx loaders are mechanical self leveling. I believe they are the only mfg that offers this in a compact

The 300cx is not self-leveling, the 400cx is though.

TSO · Jul 8, 2015

kennyd said:
The 300cx is not self-leveling, the 400cx is though.

No? I thought the 300x & 400x were standard, and the cx for both was the msl ?

kennyd · Jul 8, 2015

TSO said:
No? I thought the 300x & 400x were standard, and the cx for both was the msl ?

Unfortunately with JD its just not that simple.

k0ua · Jul 8, 2015

My Kioti DK35se is simultaneous
dual function. I haven't operated any other Kioti's

jdawg1 · Jul 8, 2015

Thanks all.
The test driving starts this week. Got a loan approved and want to do this right.
I have no idea what self leveling means. I like the float function on FELs. Is that the same concept with "draft" on the 3 point side?
Thanks

kennyd · Jul 8, 2015

jdawg1 said:
Thanks all.
The test driving starts this week. Got a loan approved and want to do this right.
I have no idea what self leveling means. I like the float function on FELs. Is that the same concept with "draft" on the 3 point side?
Thanks

Float is standard on all modern loaders from every company. Self Leveling means that the bucket position will stay relative throughout it's travel as the loader raises. So if the bottom of the bucket is level on the ground, as you raise the loader it will stay level without user input. VERY handy when using forks, but it's easy to learn to keep it level without it.