Ordered my Bush Hog M246 FEL

Mosey · Feb 24, 2003

I ordered a Bush Hog M246 FEL for my TC29D. I got a good deal on it from the dealer where I bought the tractor. I'll be getting a matching color, 60" Skid Steer compatible quick attach bucket, brush guard, and all the hydraulics and joystick for $3550 installed. That's about $1000 less than the New Holland 7308. I should have it on and ready to go in a few weeks. My search for a loader started over a year ago. I expect to be one of the few on TBN that will actually be taking the loader off and putting it back on a lot, so I'll post some pictures of that procedure. I got a lot of very useful info from the folks here at TBN, so thanks for all the help!

hazmat · Feb 24, 2003

Congrats! You'll love it.

PS I take my loader on & off all the time, for mowing. It has been on all winter for the snow, but that may change when I get my front plow built.

thcri · Feb 24, 2003

Danny,

I looked up my invoice for my 7308. I paid $2,492.00 for it installed. This inlcuded the joystick and all the hydraulics. I don't have the quick attach bucket but I do have the quick release system for removing the whole loader. I take my loader on and off all the time with no problems. But why is your price $4,500.00 ($1,000.00 less than the $3,500.00)

Something doesn't seem right here? The price was completely installed for a TC29D with SuperSteer which was a little bit more expensive because of the special brackets.

Murph

Mosey · Feb 24, 2003

( I paid $2,492.00 for it installed... Something doesn't seem right here. Murph)

What I found out during my search is that they can give a much lower price on a loader if you buy it with the tractor. I priced it at 4 different dealers and they were all within $100. I have no regrets, since I simply didn't have the money for the loader when I bought the tractor (I could barely afford the tractor and the finish mower).

thcri · Feb 24, 2003

Danny,

That very well could be. I was just shocked at the difference in price. And also the 7308 does come with its problems I guess from what I found in another post. I have only experience one of the two problems and mine was an easy fix, just some welding that I had done on it.

But I guess there still is about two grand difference there. That does seem hi even for aftermarket.

How are you likeing your TC29D. I sure love mine and would even love it more if we would get some snow. The last two years have been very little, two years ago we couldn't keep up with the plowing.

Murph

Mosey · Feb 24, 2003

( How are you likeing your TC29D. Murph)

It's the perfect tractor for me! I bought it because I needed something to be able to quickly mow my 3+ acre yard. I got a tractor rather than a zero turn because knew I'd be wanting to do other things also. I use the Boomer to push snow, plow (garden), till (garden), move dirt, mow brush, do landscaping, move heavy things, etc as well as mow the grass. It has always done what I've needed it to do! I also use the boom pole and pull the kids around on their sleds when the snow is too "fluffy" to pack down good for decent sledding on the hills.

I think all FEL's have pros and cons. I'm confident the Bush Hog M246 will be as good or better as any.

thcri · Feb 24, 2003

Mosey,

What tires go you have. I got R4's and am not sure I am happy with them. I was told to let some air out of the tires and that would help but they do leave dents in the lawn. My TC21D with R4's did no damage. My dealer is so sold on the R4's and really pushed me to them. He has the turf's yet from when he got my TC29D and I can trade, but just not sure yet because I do more than just finish mowing. I will have to wait on letting the air out of the tires until summer to see how they work out.

Murph

Mosey · Feb 24, 2003

I have the R4's and am real happy with them. They leave some marks in a few places on the lawn in the spring when the ground is soft, but by early summer the marks are gone. The caster wheels on the finish mower make more marks than the R4's. The R4's work great when plowing the garden and pushing snow and they do much better than turf tires would do. I run mine very soft, at the minimum recommended pressures or less. I'll probably have to air them up for the loader work! I expect them to be excellent for the loader work, since that's what they were originally designed for.

Mosey · Feb 24, 2003

PS: A big part of the price difference on the loader was the Skid Steer compatible Quick Attach bucket option. Without that, the price difference was about $500. New Holland wanted another $825 ($550 for the option plus $275 more for the bucket) and Bush Hog only added a total of $350 for the Quick Attach bucket option including the bucket.

thcri · Feb 24, 2003

Danny,

For the FEL the R4's are great. I did pile through a deep snow back earlier this winter and I went right through it with no problem even climbing up the bank. Watching my neighbor with his turf's I know he could not have done that.

Murph

Spencer · Feb 24, 2003

Mosey, I'm glad you are finally getting your loader. It is great that you were able to afford/justify the quick attach system, I know you will never regret that decision. I'm already jealous of your increased loader lift capacity. I'll be waiting patiently for photos.

Mosey · Feb 25, 2003

( It is great that you were able to afford/justify the quick attach system, I know you will never regret that decision.)

Spencer - You were the one who motivated me to get the QA bucket, thanks for the good advice! Pictures will be coming.

Molerj · Feb 25, 2003

I have R4's on my JD. In my case they aren't so good in the snow. I just ordered & rec'd chains for the back tires. It made a world of difference. In the summer, the R4's are great.

thcri · Feb 25, 2003

( I have R4's on my JD. In my case they aren't so good in the snow. )

im kind of confused, this is the second time I heard R4's are no good in snow. When we did have snow I was able to got through it pretty good. Even in the ditches of the road where is was about three feet deep. I didn't even have to use 4 wheel. My dealer sold me on the R4's for snow, mud and dirt. Am I just out of the ordinary or haven't I really had much experience yet. My neighbor watched me go through the deep snow and he said he would never do that with his turf's.

Murph

Molerj · Feb 26, 2003

Hi Murph, I had most of my problems when I went off of level ground. Maybe it is just my tractor. I think I attached a picture to this post. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Molerj · Feb 26, 2003

Well, that didn't work, try this

thcri · Feb 26, 2003

Ron,

I guess you still shouldn't have any trouble in ground that is not level. I take corn out for deer every so often and I have a pretty steep hill and then a road ditch on the way back from feeding the deere. Maybe I am getting down the hard ground pretty good. Maybe if we would get some more snow around here I would not be so happy. I still think the R4's have got to be better than the turf's

Murph

Anonymous Poster · Feb 26, 2003

What county in Ohio are you in ?
You have a nice looking place....very neat.

thcri · Feb 26, 2003

Steel,

Yes it does look like he has a nice looking place. The shed is in real nice shape or it is brand new. He looks like he is really enjoying the cold weather with his tractor and getting wood ready for the fire. A dream place it is.

Kind of makes one jealous.

murph

Anonymous Poster · Feb 26, 2003

Nice looking tractor!

Curious that the tires are clean but the front of our friend's coat is covered with snow /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Somethings wrong here...I thought the tractor was supposed to be the hardest worker /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif