Should have gotten a FEL

   / Should have gotten a FEL #1  

JeremyL

Silver Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2002
Messages
188
Location
Louisville, KY
Tractor
Kubota MX5000 & L3800
I am looking to get a FEL for my MX5000. Any advice on how to find, compare and install? Should I ask the dealer. When I bought the tractor I shopped around and found a huge difference in what dealers wanted for the machine. That likely to be true for attachements also? Is a used FEL a good idea? And would I likely be able to find one? I have never used one, how steep is the learning curve for becoming proficient? What else do I need to know about getting in to the FEL fun that I don't even know to ask?

Any advice and opinion will be appreciated. Thanks.
 
   / Should have gotten a FEL #2  
WOW! 52 acres and no FEL. I would be lost on my 3 acres without one. There isn't too much of a learning curve to the operation of a FEL, however, there is definately alot of finesse that many have acheived over time. Safety is one of the most important factor with a FEL in my book. A fully loaded bucket can mess with the balance of the tractor when on sloped terrain or when you hit a pothole or rock. As for the availability of a used FEL, they can be had, but you may have to look around quite a bit. I personally would only go new. The stresses that can be put on a loader can do damage and I wouldn't want to chance getting one that has been worn or damaged. Just my .02
 
   / Should have gotten a FEL #3  
I would go back to the dealer you bought the tractor from. He is more likely to give you a price break since you boght from him before.

It just takes a little time to get used to the loader. The Operator's Manual will give you some very good information about usage.

One thing a friend who has operated all sorts of machinery for years taught me it that there are times when you need to go real slow when using the loader to level dirt. I found I was going too fast a lot of the time. Now, when I want to do finish leveling I cut the RPM's back to 1,500 and slow to a crawl and get much better results.

And keep the bucket as low as possible at all time. A bucket at the top if it's travel really raises the center of gravity on the tractor and can get you in trouble if you hit a hole with a tire.

I will never own another tractor without FEL. And now that I have a Markham toothbar I will never be without one of those again.

Bill Tolle
 
   / Should have gotten a FEL #4  
I wouldnt think about a tractor without a FEL. the best spent $3000 for a tool i can think of except the tractor of course.

The best time to buy a FEL is at the purchase time as a package but you never know your dealer may actually have a brain and make you a deal. alot of them forget you may buy another tractor someday and if they stick it to you on things after the big sell you will look elsewhere next time.

I don't do any business with the dealer i bought mine from cause his parts prices were over twice what his competitor 30 miles down the road are . and hey i drive by both everyday going to work .now who gets my business?
 
   / Should have gotten a FEL #5  
After you get the FEL you won't know how you got along without it. It is definently the most used attachment I have.
 
   / Should have gotten a FEL #6  
I think you will have a VERY hard time finding a used fel. Probably best to go back to the dealer and get one that will fit with no problems. the best way to learn how to use a FEL is to use it. Ithink of my tractor as being a FEL with the tractor attached. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif could not live without it.
 
   / Should have gotten a FEL #7  
I agree that finding a used FEL is a real challenge. That's because they're so incredibly useful that once people get them mounted on their tractors, they never take them off. That's good news, because it means that even though you have to pay for new, it's a tool you'll get a lifetime of use out of.

You do have the option of looking at aftermarket FEL's, but since you have a current model tractor, I'd generally recommend sticking with a loader designed specifically for your tractor. I don't own a Kubota, but I think there are two loader choices for the MX5000 -- standard duty LB702 with about 1800 lbs. lift capacity and heavy duty LA852 with about 2400 lbs lift capacity. In all honesty, you'd probably be fine with the LB702, but if the price difference isn't too steep the LA852 would never leave you wondering if bigger would've been better. The only tradeoff in going to higher lift capacity is that the larger hydraulic cylinders will move a little more slowly -- you trade off speed for lift capacity. It's worth trying one on the lot to see how the loader you want operates before you put your money down.

There may also be bucket options for each of those loaders -- standard duty vs. heavy duty, as well as different widths such as 60", 72", or 84". For the size and horsepower of your MX5000, I think you'll like a 72" bucket. Having a bucket just a touch wider than your tractor is useful in all kinds of situations. As for standard duty vs. heavy dutybucket, again you'd probably be fine with standard duty. If you're likely to worry after the purchase if you made the right choice, then spring for the heavy duty bucket up front.

You may also have options for quick-attach -- both for the loader itself (where it mounts to the tractor) and/or for the bucket (where it attaches to the loader arms). Personally, I have never taken a loader off of a tractor -- I find it always useful to have it mounted. I do, however, like to be able to remove the bucket quickly (travels easily to the welding shop that way), and one day you may want to swap the bucket for forks quickly.

Lastly, I'm sure your dealer will recommend two additions to your tractor to go with your new loader: 1) a grill/hood guard for the front of your tractor and 2) fluid ballast for your rear tires, if you don't already have them filled. Make sure your price quotes include both of these -- they're indespensible.

For the last item to consider, some people swear by 4-in-1 buckets. I've never had one (a little pricey for me), but I can see how they could be useful. If you've got the extra dough, you may want to consider one. I'm sure your dealer could swap the Kubota bucket for a Long or other manufacturer's 4-in-1 for the cost difference at the time of purchase.

There are other posts here about mounting chain hooks to your bucket -- you'll certainly find them handy if you go that route. Your dealer may even install/weld them on and paint them for you if you ask for them as part of the deal. I drilled a hole and bolted a chain hook on mine for about $8.

Last of all, if you've been needing some gravel, top soil, or other material around your property, plan to have it delivered and dumped for you to play with when you get home. It makes for great practice, and just a little bit of fun.

Parker
 
   / Should have gotten a FEL #8  
Keep looking on ebay. I happened to find my loader for my bx2200 still in the crate there. Maybe I just got lucky but take 15 minutes every day and look. Cheaper than driving around. Only problem is that you'll probably find too many other toys to hook on your tractor!
 
   / Should have gotten a FEL #9  
No bout adoubt it. A tractor without a FEL is like a boat without a fish, or something like that. The FEL is on my tractor 90% of the time that I use the tractor. The main time it's not is when I'm brush cutting in tight quarters; I remove it to mow in tight spaces.

In terms of utility, I would list my attachments in the following order of importance:

1. FEL
2. Box Blade
3. Mower

The next thing that I would add would be a backhoe. However, I have lived for three years without a backhoe, so what does that say?

----------
 
   / Should have gotten a FEL #10  
<font color="blue">The next thing that I would add would be a backhoe. However, I have lived for three years without a backhoe, so what does that say?
</font>

Glueguy,

Nice to see your face again!

Actually, coming from where I am, having waited 56 years to get my first real tractor, I would say that what you said says that it is about time for you to get a backhoe! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I know mine was not cost effective (probably) but neither was the wife, and I would not be without either now that I have experience with both.

If you have some "hobby money" a backhoe can be a real nice tool to own. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I'm really glad I got one...
 

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