Steve_in_SEMich
Bronze Member
Unit was delivered last Thursday (9/01), loaded it up and took it to our camping property on Friday morning. 53" bucket on the H120 loader frame, 42" Horst Welding forks, CountyLine CarryAll, turf tires (R3s). Comparing to a Deere 4115 sold 5 years ago.
Steering effort is minimal, same or better than the 4115. I like the steering radius, forward and reverse, no issues or delays.
FEL operation - up/down was relatively quick, some hesitation when raising & curling at same time. Not sure if it's faster doing them separately. Moved 10 yards of mixed gravel/fines (21AA), filled bucket level and was able to lift full height. I had a 61" bucket on the 4115 and it did the same. I am very satisfied with the lift capacity of the FEL. Float feature is easier to use than on the 4115 at all bucket angles. intergrated bucket level indicator was easy to view and seems more accurate than the OEM option on the 4115. Moved 50 logs with forks, some 12", mostly 5-10", typical issues when you move the load away from the tractor. These forks were $200+ cheaper than the Deere/Frontier stuff, but there is a small fit problem with the retaining pins alignment. I ended up using smaller pins until I can ream out the existing holes on the fork frame. Other than that, both bucket & forks are easy to remove and attach, slightly easier than the 4115 quick-detach bucket. There is a pin retaining hole on each side of the loader frame that keeps the pins from getting in the way when attaching/detaching - 4115 did not have this and I pinched off the small pin retainer cables.
Limited Category 1 hitch - a little scraping with the carry-all when backing up a hill, definitely not lifting as high as the 4115. Strapped 2-30 gallon water drums on the carry-all for ballast and for filling up the camper.
Seat/tilt steering/lights - more comfortable, better visibility than the 4115.
Locking rear differential/4WD selectors - easy to use and effective, as was the H-N-L selector.
I have not moved the rear wheels to the wide position yet (dealer was supposed to do it prior to delivery), but I definitely will. This is where I find the biggest difference between the 1026R and the 4115. Seemed tippy even on slight side hill angles. Not sure if I am remembering the 4115 or my Gator 825i that I've been riding everywhere since March. Hope the switch to the wide tire position improves this perception.
Pictures to follow.......
Steve
Steering effort is minimal, same or better than the 4115. I like the steering radius, forward and reverse, no issues or delays.
FEL operation - up/down was relatively quick, some hesitation when raising & curling at same time. Not sure if it's faster doing them separately. Moved 10 yards of mixed gravel/fines (21AA), filled bucket level and was able to lift full height. I had a 61" bucket on the 4115 and it did the same. I am very satisfied with the lift capacity of the FEL. Float feature is easier to use than on the 4115 at all bucket angles. intergrated bucket level indicator was easy to view and seems more accurate than the OEM option on the 4115. Moved 50 logs with forks, some 12", mostly 5-10", typical issues when you move the load away from the tractor. These forks were $200+ cheaper than the Deere/Frontier stuff, but there is a small fit problem with the retaining pins alignment. I ended up using smaller pins until I can ream out the existing holes on the fork frame. Other than that, both bucket & forks are easy to remove and attach, slightly easier than the 4115 quick-detach bucket. There is a pin retaining hole on each side of the loader frame that keeps the pins from getting in the way when attaching/detaching - 4115 did not have this and I pinched off the small pin retainer cables.
Limited Category 1 hitch - a little scraping with the carry-all when backing up a hill, definitely not lifting as high as the 4115. Strapped 2-30 gallon water drums on the carry-all for ballast and for filling up the camper.
Seat/tilt steering/lights - more comfortable, better visibility than the 4115.
Locking rear differential/4WD selectors - easy to use and effective, as was the H-N-L selector.
I have not moved the rear wheels to the wide position yet (dealer was supposed to do it prior to delivery), but I definitely will. This is where I find the biggest difference between the 1026R and the 4115. Seemed tippy even on slight side hill angles. Not sure if I am remembering the 4115 or my Gator 825i that I've been riding everywhere since March. Hope the switch to the wide tire position improves this perception.
Pictures to follow.......
Steve
