Loader L4600HST with LA764

TexasBoy · May 24, 2014

My neighbor wanted to give the Kubota a try so he loaded his HayVan with it, he really liked it and is going to look into getting one for his wife to use.

Chilly807 · May 25, 2014

Looks to be having no problems with the bales.. Your rear tires are loaded, right? Any idea how much the counterweight weighs? Your neighbor is doing well for his first time running a tractor... Maybe the 2nd time?

Always nice watching an experienced operator. Very smooth and no wasted motion. You're no slouch either!

Sean

TexasBoy · May 25, 2014

Chilly807 said:
Looks to be having no problems with the bales.. Your rear tires are loaded, right? Any idea how much the counterweight weighs? Your neighbor is doing well for his first time running a tractor... Maybe the 2nd time? Always nice watching an experienced operator. Very smooth and no wasted motion. You're no slouch either!

Sean

No, the tires are not loaded. The counter-weight is about 1100# I think. There is a thread about it here, a TBN member calculated it for me, need to find the link.

I wasnt just too smooth on that clip because that was my first attempt at going that high with that weight in the back and wanted to move with caution on that first run not knowing how it was gonna behave going 2-bales high. (we usually use a Ford 5600 for loading bales). I wasnt sure how much rev the engine needed for the hydraulics and that is why I paused and gave her a lil more RPMs on that first video. Found out right away it didnt need much at all and the hydraulics on this little tractor are excellent and will pick up our bales 2-high very easily at low RPM and not load up. In any event, with weight on the back I was impressed how the little tractor was stable, even when the bale might bounce a bit with the fork very extended, not once did the tractor attitude change or lift up the rear.

TexasBoy · May 25, 2014

We ended up with one small bale at the end of the day,,, so I figured I would see if I could stick that little one on top? Nope.

TexasBoy · May 25, 2014

Chilly807 said:
Your neighbor is doing well for his first time running a tractor... Maybe the 2nd time? Always nice watching an experienced operator.

When my wife shot that video he had already loaded his trailer about 5 or 6 times. He was much choppier on the first run having never even sat on a Kubota before which is certainly understandable. They have mainly large John Deere cab tractors and many Fords and Internationals. If I had to guess he makes several thousand round bales a year.

k0ua · May 25, 2014

I was impressed with how well that worked out, and the counterweight seemed to be just what you needed to keep you safe. Also your vid's were good and to the point. Good job all the way around.:thumbsup:

TexasBoy · May 25, 2014

Thank you k0ua, I appreciate it.

Oh and FWIW, the Titan pallet fork spear setup worked great. Easy to put on and take off the spear & stabilizers.

k0ua · May 25, 2014

TexasBoy said:
We ended up with one small bale at the end of the day,,, so I figured I would see if I could stick that little one on top? Nope.

You are gonna need a "ladder" to get that one up there!:laughing:

TexasBoy · May 25, 2014

k0ua said:
You are gonna need a "ladder" to get that one up there!:laughing:

Your certainly right ! That was just for kicks, and if for nothing else to illustrate to persons curious what the absolute reach of the L4600 with LA764 when all the way up and with round bales.

A few observations: This video very much supports the idea that HST machines are much better when running loaders on these kind of jobs. While I love a gear drive model and actually prefer it, its very clear to see that if the majority of your work will be with the loader, you will be smoother and less operator work with a HST. Also, the L4600 is certainly capable of doing this kind of work, but if you are loading bales all the time (or other things/weights similar), most likely the MX5100 would be the machine for you as I understand it has a bit more reach, chassis weight, and front tires are larger to deal with forward weight. I wont be using my 4600 for this kind of task too often and bought it because of its smaller size and so my wife could use it safely in tight quarters. but I hope these few vids will show that the 4600 can indeed do these jobs if you need to, but for a few thousand more, the MX5100 might be a better choice for you.

motownbrowne · May 25, 2014

When I bought my MX the price was actually cheaper than a 4600. Not 100% sure, but I think it was mx4700 < l4600 < mx5100. Im sure the telescoping lift arms would be nice (I often switch implements 1-5 times a day) but I didn't want the turbo and the price tag was better for the 4700.