Aftermarket FEL
- Thread starter pigdoc
- Start date
- Views: 4455
Westendorf is a reputable maker of aftermarket tractor attachments. Their loaders are widely used, and there is nothing wrong with having one on a tractor. A factory one will be specifically designed for a particular tractor, while an aftermarket loader is likely to be a more generic design with mounting hardware to let it be used on a variety of tractors. Kubota loaders generally have controls that operate quite smoothly and with a little practice make it easy to perform combination lift + curl moves, for example. An aftermarket loader may or may not be as refined. Something to evaluate during a test run.
I would also look at how easy it is to mount or remove the loader so the tractor can do certain chores without the FEL getting in the way, whether the bucket is a standard quick-attach type or a fixed, pin-on type. I'd want to be sure the loader controls are conveniently placed and also that the hydraulic lines and connections were added in a professional manner and the disconnects are secure but accessible.
I would also look at how easy it is to mount or remove the loader so the tractor can do certain chores without the FEL getting in the way, whether the bucket is a standard quick-attach type or a fixed, pin-on type. I'd want to be sure the loader controls are conveniently placed and also that the hydraulic lines and connections were added in a professional manner and the disconnects are secure but accessible.
When I was a Kubota dealer, if you had an aftermarket loader on their tractor, and had a warranty problem, and there were many, they would refuse the warranty! I once had an L4200 break in half at the clutch housing, tractor was 6 months old! Kubota refused to pay because it had a Westendorf loader on it. Now that is embarrassing for a dealer. Clutch housing was paper thin.
MESSMAKER
Veteran Member
That is crap. A loader is no different than any other implement. Kubota should be ashamed.
"That is crap. A loader is no different than any other implement. Kubota should be ashamed."
How do you know whether it's a bad tractor design, a bad loader design or an owner that beat the living **** out of the thing? If that model tractor works fine when an OEM loader is installed, you'd have to ask if the aftermarket loader was designed properly. If you look at the warranties offered by Kubota, Deere, Kioti and Mahindra (the ones I checked), they all have exclusions for damage resulting from use of non-approved attachments and some specifically mention non-OEM loaders and backhoes.
How do you know whether it's a bad tractor design, a bad loader design or an owner that beat the living **** out of the thing? If that model tractor works fine when an OEM loader is installed, you'd have to ask if the aftermarket loader was designed properly. If you look at the warranties offered by Kubota, Deere, Kioti and Mahindra (the ones I checked), they all have exclusions for damage resulting from use of non-approved attachments and some specifically mention non-OEM loaders and backhoes.
Turbys_1700
Elite Member
I had an aftermarket Stoll FEL installed on my 1720 New Holland several years ago. It was an FC 350 that was a good match for my tractor. The FEL brackets that attached the FEL to the tractor had 4 bolts on each side. That design was for the TC 30 which was the replacement for my 1720. The brackets would only allow for 3 bolts to attach on one of the sides. I didn't like it but that was an issue with the 1720 for that specific bracket design. In 5 years of ownership I had no issues with the tractor or FEL. The loader was rated to lift around 1K pounds and I think that my front axle was rated for 930# so it was a good match.
As Grandad4 stated most all manufacturers list non-OEM FEL's and backhoes as items that will void warranties.
As Grandad4 stated most all manufacturers list non-OEM FEL's and backhoes as items that will void warranties.
MESSMAKER
Veteran Member
I see a loader as an implement , no more no less.I sure would not like it if they refused to honor warranty if it were hooked to a plow,box blade,bushog or the like. A tractor is the base unit to handle tools in order to get work done.
McREBEL
Gold Member
Would a 2013 still have much warranty left? Anybody remember what the warranty length was then?
The B2920 is a good one if you come across another one. I have a 2008 I have had for 2.5 years with no issues.
Maybe you already know this but for your shopping purposes, if you come across a B2620, it is the same as the B2920 just 3 less HP.
The B2920 is a good one if you come across another one. I have a 2008 I have had for 2.5 years with no issues.
Maybe you already know this but for your shopping purposes, if you come across a B2620, it is the same as the B2920 just 3 less HP.
Last sentence says it ALL !
or does it ?
It is at least POSSIBLE that the "awe_then_tik" KooBooBoo loader is designed to avoid stress to the "paper thin clutch housing".
A good loader sub frame will in any case extend back to the rear axle, so the notion of bending a tractor in half would probably require an inadequate loader sub frame as well as a paper thin clutch housing.
Anyone want to speak up for the Westendorf loader sub frame design (& implementation) ?
As always - JMAO.
MessickFarmEqu
Super Member
A warranty is not coverage for stupidity. Just because something fits, does not mean it belongs on the tractor.
MESSMAKER
Veteran Member
I realize that a backhoe and loader subject a tractor to a lot of stress, but I don't think it unreasonable to design a tractor to handle it when it is the proper size is used and it is installed correctly. I can't argue the stupidity statement.
Kubota builds tractors that weigh less than most similar sized machines. This may be a case where extra metal was needed.
If a FEL attaches the same way as OEM and doesn't put more stress on it than OEM, than there is no reason to void a warranty. If it does increase the stress on the tractor over OEM design and the FEL maker listed it as working with that specific model, then the FEL maker would on the hook. If it was some jurry rig contraption, then no coverage.
The only aftermarket backhoe I saw mounted to the 3-point. I would call that an "implement"
The only aftermarket backhoe I saw mounted to the 3-point. I would call that an "implement"
There is a standard ISO design spec for 3 point implements but no such standards exist for FELs and backhoes. Anyone can come up with whatever design and call it a "loader". Makes sense to me that tractor manufacturers, who offer their own attachments, don't want to be responsible for someone else's good or not-so-good design ideas.
Turbys_1700
Elite Member
I agree that if the aftermarket FEL is designed the same way it will not put more stress on it than the original OEM FEL. IMHO neither the FEL manufacturer nor the OEM manufacturer would honor the warranty. Both will claim operator error and list the thousands of tractor and FEL combinations out in the marketplace that have had zero issues.
