Will this FEL fit onto a differnt tractor?

woodenBadger · Oct 13, 2004

Hi everyone, first time poster of course. Hopefully this is the right forum for this question.

I've been looking for a compact tractor 23-30hp range to help maintain 2.5 acres. I don't really have it narrowed down to a brand yet.

Anyway, my uncle has offered me an entire front end loader assembly that he had installed, then subsequently de-installed from a 1980 Massey Ferguson model 230 (he bought a skid loader). The hydraulic drive for this unit is at the front of the unit and drives off of the camshaft. He also tells me that the loader has 'conversion brackets' for different tractors. Other then that, I don't have any manufacturer label or model number.

Can anyone help shed some light on what my options with this FEL might be? Is there a direct bolt up possibility on a JD, NH, or Kubota? Or will this even work on a different tractor? If it's not a direct bolt up, is there a ball bark number for having things customized to fit? I have pictures on the way, but that's all the information I have right now.

Thanks
Doug

Ledgemere Farm · Oct 13, 2004

Who manufactured it? I know Woods-Du-all and Bush Hog all have conversion kits for different tractors. I am sure others like Great Bend, etc. do as well. You may have to find a dealer for that make and find out if conversion kits are still available.

You might need to do some slight modifications to get the loader to fit. I noticed that my Bush Hog loader had a little bite taken out of the attaching frame to clear my tractor's hydraulic tubes.

woodenBadger · Oct 14, 2004

Unfortunatly, I don't know who the manufacturer is. I'm just going on what my uncle has told me so far. I guess I was hoping that there were a few standard configurations and I could get an anser like " oh, a MF230? that will fit on a Kubota xxx or a New Holland xxx..." Is that wishful thinking?

If it's basically true that any loader assembly can be made to fit any tractor, what ballpark are we talking about for pricing? $100? $200? more? maybe it's also wishful thinking looking at a price already. I don't really know too much about tractors yet. Just starting to gather information still.

stuart · Oct 14, 2004

Try posting some pictures of it and see if it is recognized by one of the esteemed members of TBN.

JerryG · Oct 14, 2004

One thing that you would have to do if you are wanting to put it on non-utility tractor is the hydraulics are hooked up. The vast majority of compact tractors don't have provisions for a crank drive pump like the MF230 has. Having said that, more than likely you would be looking at hooking the hydraulics to the tractor system. Depending on the size of cylinders on the loader to determine if the tractor internal hydraulics would be adequate.

Golfgar4 · Oct 14, 2004

( If it's basically true that any loader assembly can be made to fit any tractor, what ballpark are we talking about for pricing? $100? $200? more? )

I'm a bit confused (nothing new! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif).

Are you asking for a price for a new loader, or are you asking for a price to modify this existing loader?

If new, you're probaly talking something in the range of $1,500 - $2,500, depending on what size and make. I wouldn't have a clue as to what the cost might be to make the existing loader fit some particular type of tractor.

It is too bad you don't know that manufacturer. Most of them will list on the web sites what tractors their loaders will fit. I would agree with Stuart. Post a picture if you can. Or begin visiting different loader manufacturer web sites and see if you can recognize it at one of those.

Good luck! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

woodenBadger · Oct 15, 2004

I guess I was a little too vague in my description. I'm not sure what the difference is in a compact tractor vs. a utility tractor. I'm looking for something in the mid 20- low 30 hp range with a three pt hitch. something that will handle a loader, 48" box scraper, mower, etc. My neighrbor uses a 23? hp Kubota, and a friend has a Ford 30hp. Both of them do a great job and would fit my needs. Other then that, I really don't know details about pumps, and hydraulics, etc. I just want to be able to move dirt and fill with a loader, and grade my property and drive with a scraper.

So that's the type of tractor I'm looking for. I really have no loyalty to any brand so I was looking for the best match to the loader to start with.

As for the price, I'm definelt not looking for a new loader. I have access to a free one, and I intend to find a way to make it work. I was just looking for a case where I found a good tractor, but the loader was not a direct bolt up. I just assumed if would cost a couple hundered to make it work (running hoses, changing brackets, welding?). Does that sound about right?

I asked my uncle to snap a few pictures for me. hopefully that will shed some light on the situation.

Thanks
Doug

Golfgar4 · Oct 15, 2004

Thanks for the clarification. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Generally, a utility tractor is going to be 50 hp (some folks might say 40 + /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif) and above, while the CUTS's will range from 25 to 45. Anything smaller than 25 is considered a SCUT. So what you're looking for is definitely a CUT. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif You should easily be able to handle any of the attachments that you've described, and even a few more!

As far as that loader goes, you definitely need to find out what brand it is. That will go a long way in determining if it'll fit the tractor you select. I suppose if a person has the know how and the appropriate equipment, any loader could be made to fit any tractor. Might be a bit of drilling required to properly mount the sub frame and in all likelihood there would be some fabrication of parts needed. But you're going to need to find out if the hydraulic pump on your tractor will be compatible with the pressures needed to effectively operate the loader. If the pump is too small for the loader, it's not (the loader) going to perform very well.

I really have no experience with what's involved in making a loader compatible with a tractor. But I'm sure that there are some very knowledgeable individuals that will jump in and help you through this process.

This is going to be a very interesting project! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Please keep us posted as to your progress. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

JerryG · Oct 15, 2004

The loader that you have, If it is a MF loader would more than like be a MF 232. The one thing that you need to watch out for is putting the loader on a tractor that is not strong enough for the loader. The 232 was installed on some of the larger compacts such as the MF 1155 and 1165. If the loader is put on a tractor that is not capable of the pressure that the loader can put out, the tractor can break.

rambler · Oct 21, 2004

I'm not sure what size tractor that Massey is, but you would need to stick to a similar sized & built tractor to moyunt it on some other tractor. For example, you can't take a loader off a 50 hp utility machine and put it on a 25 hp cut machine.

If it is a Massey-built loader, it is probably specific for Massy tractors, and will be more difficult to modify to other colors of tractors.

If it is a Woods, Duall, or so forth generic loader manufaturer, then it likely will be designed to fit many models of tractors with different adaptor plates & adjustable monting points. It is fairly easy to have some brakets welded up, if you don't want to try to order some from the factory, for these types of loaders. You need to get plates that bolt to the side of your tractor & the loader, and some rearward attaching point. If it's a quick-attach type, then the mounting becomes a little more difficult again, as you need to allow the quick tach part to work around the adaptor plates.

Many 1940-1960s tractors used the front pump, but many of the newer tractors do not have a provision for that any more, and you will need to use the tractor's hydraulics or a pto pump. Some tracotrs don't have much flow for loader operation.

Hard to get more specific unless we have more info. But, you need to stay in the same class or style of tractor as what it was on, you can't mount it on _anything_. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif And it will be easier to adapt if it is already a generic loader, not a Massey designed to mount on Massey-only tractors.

--->Paul

MMM · Oct 21, 2004

Probably should sell it and and put funds toward loader designed for your 20 to 30 hp purchase. A front pump installation takes a lot of room unless you want it sticking out the front. I had to raise radiator 2 inches for mine and it is twice the size of what you want to buy.

MikePA · Oct 21, 2004

Is that wishful thinking? 
IMO, yes. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Juryrigging a loader to fit a tractor it's not meant for, no matter how good ones skills, can result in a tractor and loader combination that's dangerous to operate. While it might be possible to get the loader attached and all the hoses properly hooked up so the loader goes up and down and the bucket tilts, are you going to trust using it?

 I don't really know too much about tractors yet. 
No offfense intended, but marrying a loader to a tractor it was not meant for is not the way to learn.

If the loader your uncle has is not meant for the tractor you find, I agree with MMM, sell the loader and put the funds towards buying a tractor with a loader.

woodenBadger · Nov 11, 2004

OK, I've finally got some pictures. the bucket isn't attached, but does come with it. Does this look familiar to anyone?

thanks

woodenBadger · Nov 11, 2004

another picture

woodenBadger · Nov 11, 2004

last one

MMM · Nov 11, 2004

Check the serial#, do some research, and buy a tractor to fit (MF230 or others).
I picked up a loader for $800 and it cost me that much again to install in materials. 4" sq tube subframe to axle, mount plates, crank drive hub and driveshaft, fitttings and hoses, bolts weld rods etc add up. I didn't include my labor, which would have probably added another $800.

woodenBadger · Nov 22, 2004

well, thanks for looking anyway guys.

rambler · Nov 22, 2004

Somewhere on it there is a serial plate. This will identify it & you can then go from there. If it was made by a cmpany that makes tractors, then likely it will be harder to convert to other tractors. If it is a generic loader brand, then it will be set to fairly easily convert to different models of very similarly sized tractors. Look on the main frames, hidden a bit, get in on the paint if it's a new paint job. Gotta look hard sometimes....

Likely those unpainted rear brackets, and somewhere up front some brackets will need to be remade to connect the tractor & loader together.

Your new tractor will need to be the right size, and it will also need double-acting hydraulics.

Best anyone can do with the info you have provided.

The folks at ytmag.com might be able to figure out a brand from your pictures, but often several models look similar so you still need the serial plate....

--->Paul