FEL shopping

[Gomez]

I stopped by a dealer the other day and wanted to see what he had to say about Kubota LA352 vs. Woods loaders. Basically, he didn't think there was much difference between the two, other than cost. He did state that he mostly puts Kubota loaders on B2400s. Both are compatible with a MMM and both are quick attach. He also noted you can get a larger bucket on the Woods. He quoted me a price of $3350 for the LA352 and $3000 for the Woods 1006.

I asked him how hard they are to install and he indicated that it can be tricky. He would drop his price by $150 if I did the installation. Has anyone else installed a loader on their tractor? I don't see what would be the difficulty. I'm an Electrical Engineer, but I am fairly capable with mechanical stuff /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif.


Thanks for any feedback.

 

[treeboone]

I would not even consider trying to save 150 bucks on an install. Drop one chunk of iron on your foot and take that to the bank. The dealership has at least 2 mechanics to do the job, as it would not be easy for one guy.
The best part is, if you screw it up, YOU get to fix it.
I guarantee it will be the worst money you ever saved.

 

[BKColeman]

I don't believe it would be worth saving $150 to me. I watched them putting the loader on my tractor. They had a huge hoist to help them get it lined up correctly. The first time I took the loader off, I was a nervous wreck thinking I was going to get it lined back up straight.

Do you already have the hydraulics for it installed or would you have to do that too?

--Brad

 

[Gomez]

No hydraulics are installed.

I am definitely leaning on having the dealer install the loader, primarily since they have done it before and the "what did I forget to do?" /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif factor. Just thought I get some other opinions.

 

[JonLeonard]

The dealer here installs Woods loaders for $2500. The 1006 is the smallest Woods loader (I believe), so I dont think the price I was given could be for a different loader.

Might want to check around for a better price.

Jon

 

[seattle]

Why not shop another Kubota dealer and try to get a better price on the LA352. My 2410 is a snap to get the loader on and off and I paid $2250. Now that was getting the tractor at the same time but maybe you could work a deal. I do agree that you want the dealer to install it.

Have you thought of buying the loader at Carvers and paying a local shop to install it?

Good Luck!

 

[Kodiak]

I paid $2500 for the Woods 1012 FEL, with installation six weeks ago. I'm sure you can do better. Have fun with your new tractor.

 

[Buck]

Gomez,

Outside of the $150 issue, is there any difference between the disconnect and mount times in the Woods VS. Kubotoa FEL race? That would be the biggest issue with me. But, you are an EE and must of thought of this.

Buck

 

[Yukon]

I installed one on my first tractor a b7500. I had one person help me and used a floor jack to get the sub frame up into place. The rest is rather easy. The $150.00 would also feel better in my own pocket. Good luck.

 

[Rover]

Have the dealer install it.

When you remove the Kubota FEL the hydr. control lever stays on the tractor, I think (??) with the Woods it is mounted on the FEL. There are good and bad points with either mounting.

When I bought my tractor the dealer quoted me a $500 difference with the Woods being cheaper.

Rover

 

[theboman]

I have a Woods 1006 and they are rock solid. I have not used a Kubota FEL, the dealer here likes the Woods better. The dealer says it's little heavier and a little cheaper.

I have yet to remove my FEL, but it looks like a breeze.

 

[Gomez]

I did think of ordering it from Carver's, but I thought the shipping would cancel any savings. Also, I don't know if a local shop would be too keen on installing something the could have sold me.

 

[Gomez]

According to the dealer, they are virtually the same as far as quick connect times.

 

[frank_f15]

i have a b2400 with la351 loader installed by dealer, am not sure that $150 saved is worth the effort. in your earlier post u mentioned woods can give u a bigger bucket, not sure u want to go bigger, the 2400 is a fine tractor but think anything over 4 ft on bucket is overdoing it, this my opinon according to the uses i put my tractor thru. if u don't have to move a lot of snow, or wet heavy dirt then u could go bigger.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

The BIG difference is that the LA352 was engineered specifically for the B2410, therefore your loader won't damage the tractor or viceversa. The next difference is the regenerative hydraulic valve on the Kubota loader; it allows you to curl/dump at the same time as raise/lower without losing half or more raise lower speed. It does this by creating one large hydraulic circuit when you have both sets of cylinders engaged, instead of 2 circuits competing with each other. The next issue is ease of mounting/dismounting; most after market companies are adequate at best when compared with OEM loaders.
The Bush Hog M146(GB has a model excatley the same since being bought by Bush Hog, I don't remember the #) have the regenerative valve available, and they are my favorite if you definately WON"T get a Kubota loader, but remember, they were also designed for the Big B's;2710 and 2910, so they look a little ungainly, and are capable of lifting more than the 2410 front end was designed for. This is the reason you have to be careful with aftermarket loaders: they are designed to fit many brands, and many more models, just by changing the mounting kit, if you have a tractor in the middle of the range the loader was designed for, you're OK, but if not...so bigger buckets are not always better with certain materials.
As for the $150...pay it gladly! Kubota allows 4 hrs of flat rate for mounting a B series loader, @ our shop rate, that's $200, and the after market loaders all come with poor directions, jumbles of nuts and bolts, and many more bolt together parts (instead of welded brackets) so we generally build a couple more hours shop time into the purchase price. Pete

 

[Kodiak]

Woods Equipment Company also uses a regenerative valve on their loaders.