"Challenge" brand FEL vs Kubota?

[LD1]

Straight from the la844 manual.

Like I said, it beats the challenge loader. And my suspicion is that the only reason the challenge is rated for more at Max height is because it's a mechanical self leveling loader. Which lessens the "work," required to make a lift

 

[Fallon]

No. Breakout is lift at or near ground level. Nothing more. Curl has no bearing on breakout

I can't see the figures on my phone, but I think this indicates it's however you can generate the force just behind the cutting edge.
https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:14397:-2:ed-2:v1:en:fig:1

3.1

breakout force

maximum sustained upward vertical force, in newtons, generated at a point 100*mm behind the leading edge of the bucket of a loader, or behind the foremost point of the cutting edge for a loader having a bucket with an irregular (pointed, curved, etc.) cutting-edge shape, by a lift or tilt cylinder, with the bottom of the bucket's cutting edge parallel to, and not more than 20*mm above, the ground reference plane (GRP)


https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...hAVkQFghwMAw&usg=AOvVaw1hkrt_9Xw_9k7oiUIugQrT has way more math than I care to look at, but indicates the same thing I think. The max force that can be generated.

 

[LD1]

I have seen many many loader specs that list a higher roll back force at the cutting edge than breakout. So if it was truly the max force that could be generated, why would it be lower than curl force?
And why in the world would they list a breakout force at bucket pins if it is clearly supposed to be measured at a point 100mm behind cutting edge?

And my manual, the chart for lift capacity in relation to lift height....at ground level matches the spec for breakout force at pins and 500mm forward.

But on any case, it's a moot point. I posted the chart for a la844 loader. It is clearly a stronger loader in the. Bottom half of the range, where you use a loader the most.

Another classic case of getting hung up on just a few specs when comparing and not seeing the bigger picture.

Strength....imo....the Kubota wins.
Resell......imo the Kubota wins
Fit/finish/visibility.....I'm the kubota wins.

Now I don't know the price of the challenge loader???? So don't know how that compares.

If it were me, the ONLY reason I would consider it would be for the mechanical self leveling. But if that's not important for the uses the OP has in mind.....I'd pass and get the Kubota loader

 

[kenlip]

Thanks, guys.

The 'original' dealer to whom I spoke offered only the Kubota FEL. My son-in-law wanted me to get a second quote, so I contacted another Kubota dealer. The second dealer is the one who suggested the Challenge.

I contacted the original (my preferred) dealer to ask about the different FELs. His response: "The LA854-B is the correct loader for the MX5100. The LA1065 - I can't even find that model loader so not too sure what it fits"

Could it be that the 1065 is the USA/Canada model and the 854 is the Australian version?

 

[kenlip]

Thanks for all the responses.

They confirmed my 'gut feeling' that the Challenge wouldn't be a great choice. I'll stick with Kubota for the FEL and 4:1.

Now, all I need to do is decide on whether to get a box scraper, grader blade or grader-scraper, and I'll be ready to 'pull the trigger'.

 

[Farmer495]

I am guessing the "AU" means it's Australian built Kubota loader and it may or may not be the same as a US loader. Challenge is an Australian company as well and seems to claim they know what is best.

Looks like it is mech self levelling on both.

My question is what attachment carrier does each use, and what is the price like?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Thanks for all the responses.

They confirmed my 'gut feeling' that the Challenge wouldn't be a great choice. I'll stick with Kubota for the FEL and 4:1.

Now, all I need to do is decide on whether to get a box scraper, grader blade or grader-scraper, and I'll be ready to 'pull the trigger'.

Depending on how much road you have to maintain, but in reality you should have all three. NOTHING UNDER 800LBS.

8 foot rear blade.
6-7 foot LPGS.
6-7 foot box blade.

Because of your hills, I would say that a good rear blade would be #1 of importance. You probably need to maintain a crown in the road as well as ditches on the side and maybe some swales to control water run off. Hard to say for sure without being there.

As far as general road maintenance, just about impossible to beat a land plane grading scraper, (LPGS) in my opinion. Cuts the grading time by half vs a box blade or rear blade. The longer the sides are, the better. 16" tall at the minimum.

Good luck with your decisions. :thumbsup:

 

[Rocko Wallaby]

A dealer has recommended the Challenge 2821 instead of the Kubota LA854AU-B to go onto a new Kubota MX5100

Does anyone have experience with the Challenge brand?

Challenge 2821 specs:
Horse power range (approximate) 45-60
A - Maximum lift height to pivot pin 2840mm
B - Maximum lift height under level bucket 2550mm
C - Clearance with bucket dumped* 2000mm
D - Reach at maximum lift height** 1060mm
E - Maximum dump angle 58ｰ
F - Reach with bucket on ground*** 1940mm
G - Maximum rollback angle 49ｰ
H - Digging depth**** 150mm
J - Overall height in carry position 1550mm
K - Maximum rollback angle at maximum lift height 49ｰ
Lift capacity at pivot pin - Ground level 1490kg
Lift capacity at pivot pin - Maximum lift height 1242kg
Lift capacity at 800mm from pivot pin - Ground level 1350kg
Lift capacity at 800mm from pivot pin - 1.5m lift height 1306kg
Lift capacity at 800mm from pivot pin - Maximum lift height 900kg
Bucket rollback force at ground height 1000kg
Tractor pump pressure (will vary depending on tractor model) 185bar
Maximum Frame Weight 368kg
Mechanical Self Levelling Yes
Easy Detach Loader Frame Yes
Manual Locking Attachment Quick Coupler -
Auto Locking Attachment Quick Coupler Yes


Kubota LA854AU-B Front Loader Specifications
Maximum Lift Height (Pivot pin) mm 2863
Clearance w/Attachment Dump mm 2255
Reach @ Maximum Height mm 570
Maximum Dump Angle deg. 45
Reach w/Attachment on Ground mm 1919
Maximum Rollback Angle deg. 43
Digging Depth (When Bucket is Level) mm 177
Overall Height in Carry Position mm 1410
Material Bucket Width/Weight mm /kg 1830 / 150
Lift Capacity (500mm forward) kg 800
Raising Time to Full Height w/out Load sec. 4.4
Lowering Time w/out Load (powerdown) sec. 2.8
Attachment Rollback Time sec. 1.9
Attachment Dumping Time sec. 1.5
Rated Flow l/min 37

While they are not using the same criteria, the lift capacity seems to be significantly higher for the Challenge, unless I am reading/interpreting incorrectly.

Would you agree with the dealer and go for the Challenge, or stick with the Kubota.

Any other reason/s to pick one over the other?

Thanks
Ken

Know this is an old post, but did you ever work out which is better? And did you make a choice between the Challenge or Kubota loaders? I find myself in identical situation, as Kubota loaders are out of stock in Australia until at least March, so was offered the Challenge as an alternative. Rang and spoke to them...seem a decent bit of kit. Which way did you go?