Quicke FEL

[dzimbric]

I took delivery of a new to me 2615 this weekend with a Quicke labeled FEL. The dealer said Quicke is now building all FEL for MF. Does any one have a new Quicke manufactured loader? The things I like compared to my last FEL on a 1648 is that it crossbar does not block the headlights and you get better visibility of the load.

 

[Farmer495]

Quicke builds/has built loaders for almost every tractor manufacturer in addition to selling under their own name.

 

[dzimbric]

I think my dealer may have oversized the loader. The loader for a 2615 on the Massey Ferguson site is rated for 3000#. The Q200N loader my dealer installed is rated for 2200Kg. This may explain why the loader mount distorted when I was trying to dig out a stump with my root rake and crushed the oil filter, or the next day when I was moving a tree trunk and broke one of the loader mounting bolts.

Funny thing is there rear tires never came up when I picked the tree and I did not have an implement installed as a counter weight.

 

[DT86]

The loader mount will be Quicke as well and matched to the model loader. You definitely shouldn't be bending anything enough to crush the oil filter though. The bending and bolt breaking lead me to believe something isn't installed properly.

How about some pictures?

 

[Farmer495]

Mount is Quicke and designed for loader and tractor. Not sure on the size of stump, but one thing to keep in mind is that agricultural loaders are not designed to do heavy ground engaging work. If you were using a corner of your root rake it is possible an unbalanced strain caused a twist. I've seen it happen on 100 HP tractors. As far as the bolt breaking, could be installation or overload. I am guessing something in the installation said to retorque mounting hardware?

 

[RickB]

Mount is Quicke and designed for loader and tractor. Not sure on the size of stump, but one thing to keep in mind is that agricultural loaders are not designed to do heavy ground engaging work. If you were using a corner of your root rake it is possible an unbalanced strain caused a twist. I've seen it happen on 100 HP tractors. As far as the bolt breaking, could be installation or overload. I am guessing something in the installation said to retorque mounting hardware?

Or not to over-torque at installation........

 

[dzimbric]

I agree that point loading the grapple can induce twist in the FEL. That's how I ruined the FEL on the 1648. I was clearing brush in the woods and backed my RW cutter against one tree and when I looked forward another tree had grown out of the dirt right in front of my bucket. I had to push hard to get out and since both trees were on the right side it bent everything and messed up the hydraulics. The AGCO insurance policy was great and covered my loss. Because I didn't want to be down for a month getting a new loader fitted to the 1648 I traded it for a 2615. Much heavier tractor with more torque even though both tractors are rated for similar horsepower.

This photo is the broken cap screw and unrated flat washer. MF specifies a cap screw for this location but I think the dealer should have used a hardened flat washer. The unrated ones are not suitable for structural connections.


This photo shows the location of the broken bolt and the interference between the steering knuckle and the bracket.


This photo shows the minimal clearance between the bracket and the oil filter.

 

[Farmer495]

I would not be happy at all with how tight that loader fits. ZERO room for any flex. I am surprised as normally QUICKE stuff is top spec.

Were any of those threads on the broken bolt in the tractor? i.e. did it break then twist out, or just break off flush to the tractor.

Either way looks like you have a broken off stud to remove. Did the broken bolt then allow the mount to touch the steering knuckle?

That washer isn't "right" something to be said when the head makes an imprint in the washer....

 

[DT86]

I wonder if all this has to do with the fact the loader is rated for 70+ hp on a 50hp machine?

It sure looks like it does not fit properly. How bout some pictures that aren't as zoomed in?

How long have you had it? I'd be calling the dealer to come have a look.

 

[dzimbric]

I just picked the tractor up on Friday, the dealer picked it back up on Monday. I think I need to charge him rental for the week, Evidently they have two sets of mounts, mine was the one without the reinforcement gussets.

I called Quicke and the Quicke service department rep said she could not discuss this with me and I had to talk to Quicke's MF rep and gave me his phone number. I called him and he was very interested in the failure mode. I copied him on all correspondence with dealer including the pictures posted above; I don't think my dealer was pleased; he wants to handle this himself, said he had his own contact at Quicke.

I asked the rep about the 200N being rated for bigger tractor but he said it will work in this application but wanted the part numbers for the mounts and the serial number of loader. :confused2:

Not wanting open up any ideas that anyone is doing something wrong but since Quicke was so adamant they could not talk or sell to a MF dealer how he ended up with 25 brand new Quicke loaders.

More to follow.