opinion on tractor with quck attach fel instead of bobcat a

I currently have a MF 240, a Melroe Bobcat 610 and a Super A with snow blade (in florida, we tend to call them front or mid-mount blades). I also have a Davis backhoe attachment for the Bobcat.

I'm not a mechanic and keep having trouble with the Bobcat. I've paid to have the seals replaced and also paid local dealer to do some work on engine and electrical.

I am tired of so much down time for the Bobcat. I really like it when it runs though. I am considering selling the Massey and the Bobcat to buy one tractor with a frontend loader. Since I have the backhoe attachment, I would like to keep it and use it maybe 2 - 3 times per year. Not using the equipment to earn money, but hate spending my weekend unproductively (downtime).

Other than the usual limitations for using a backhoe attachment, does anyone have any thoughts (good or bad) about this course of action.

Too many fond memories of grandparents with Super As and growing tobacco to give it up. Also, it runs fine and gave no problems once I switched to non-ethanol gas.

Thanks in advance for your (anticipated) input.

If the Massey is a good tractor and can do what you ask of it, sell the Bobcat and buy a FEL for the Massey and adapt the backhoe attatchment to the tractor's 3 pt. Ben

The Massey is great. It is a 1989, but with less than 900 hours. I was/am concerned that the hydraulics won't be strong enough. Guess I need to talk with my dealer, huh?

If its anything like the 135 series it should handle a loader for lighter jobs. If you need to lift more than 1500 lbs, you will likely need a front pump--and a stronger front end.

Ben

Once you get rid of the bobcat, I think you will really miss it. Can you upgrade to a better one?

I have a 1997 MF-240-S, with a MF 232 loader. Perkins AD3.152. I believe the S means it was made in Turkey by Uzel. Anyway, it's the first diesel / loader combo for me, so I've got used to it. The in-frame 240-S hydraulic pump puts out 4.2 gpm, so the combo is slow. I have heard a front-mount pump might put out lots more GPM. The MF-232 manual for the loader itself states 'lift capacity' at full height = 1800 lbs. for all tractors except MF 1040/1045 tractors. The listed 'breakout force' for all tractors except 1040/1045 is 2600 lbs. I like the combo a lot, except as I say, it is slow. I have not one problem with this, except one time I hooked a front fork one time, and bent the bottom of the loader bucket down slightly. But it is slow. The MF-240 manual tells you air pressures for loader work, so I believe it was designed for it.

I would not put a loader on a 240, especially if buying a new loader.

Need PTO or crank pump due to slow hyd, and shift pattern of 2 reverses isn't ideal, too slow and too fast.

A loader on a 240 is still WAY better than no loader at all!

Exactly right, it is slow driving up to load, adjust bucket, put in clutch, shift gears, let out clutch, drive in, lcutch, lift bucket, change angle, reverse.... lift bucket... yep, it is slow. I've got used to it, but it is slow.

I appreciate the input - please keep it coming.

With two kids in college (one going for "extra innings") and a third almost to college, I have two limitations: 1. money and 2. time.

The time factor is why I want good equipment, but don't need new. I sit/stand at a desk all week, so lots of leg action (clutch in and out) are fine - I've done it with the Super A and blade;

While I guess we all would like faster equipment, I would at least like for the stuff to work, even if slow.

None of this is meant as complaining and I really do appreciate all input. This gives me ideas I may not have thought of and also gives me things to think about.

Thanks.

Dawg in Fl

A tractor wasn't meant to be a Bobcat. Using them
that way is hard on them. I'm not saying I don't do it,
too. I've got three tractors with loaders on them! I'd
be sticking with the setup you have and ironing out
any problems with you skid steer. A Bobcat is a
good machine.

Seems like ALL of those skid steer loaders are trouble after they reach a certain age, but a worn out tractor with a worn out loader can also be quite frustrating at times. I spent a lot of money and time putting a Farmhand loader on my Farmall M, and then adding a pump for live hydraulics and adding power steering. After all is said and done, I should have probably just sold the M and went shopping for a skid steer.

If you are talking about a Bobcat type FEL attaching point to the implement, can't get more simple than that. Pull up to it, hook the top
under the overhang on top of the implement, tilt it back slightly, get out and push 2 levers down and scoot!

I'm not a fan of bolt on FEL. Bobcats use hydrostatic motors, torque motors. When you
are loading the front bucket with dirt, you need to apply forward motion while lifting
the bucket. Can't do that with a tractor with a clutch and tranny. I've seen people with
FEL ram dirt piles and spin rear tires trying to fill front bucket. Not to mention you
are slipping clutch, changing gears. Bobcats can turn on a dime. Most FEL I've seen are
very slow, undersized pump, and can't lift as much.

On the other hand, larger tractors with FEL do work well for 1000# lifting round bales
in a muddy cow lot. Neighbor uses a large MF to feed his cows, but he needs a new clutch
in his tractor. I think tractors with hydrostatics work better with FEL.

"I'm not a fan of bolt on FEL. Bobcats use hydrostatic motors, torque motors. When you
are loading the front bucket with dirt, you need to apply forward motion while lifting
the bucket."

How do you think I load my bucket or hay spike?

"Can't do that with a tractor with a clutch and tranny. "

Scuse me? Am I missing something?

"I've seen people with
FEL ram dirt piles and spin rear tires trying to fill front bucket."

Maybe they need a course at the local U in Farming 101.

"Not to mention you
are slipping clutch, changing gears."

If you get in the proper gear before you get into the pile and know how to load a bucket you won't be doing all that. And, if you don't have any rear ballast which I do, you can engage your 4wd before you start and have none of that.

"Bobcats can turn on a dime."

You get that one for free.

"Most FEL I've seen are
very slow, undersized pump, and can't lift as much."

Maybe they need to get their rpms up where they belong or next time they buy a tractor buy one with an adequately sized pump for the job.

"On the other hand, larger tractors with FEL do work well for 1000# lifting round bales
in a muddy cow lot."

I wouldn't call my 65 hp a large tractor and it has fed two 5x6 1600# or so round bales at a time back when I had a JD 530 baler. My Ford 3000 at somewhere around 35 hp has no problems with the same sized bale on the 3 pt. if I have my front end weights in place.

"Neighbor uses a large MF to feed his cows, but he needs a new clutch
in his tractor."

Sooooo the process isn't the problem, his worn out tractor is.

"I think tractors with hydrostatics work better with FEL."

You get that one too.

Not being argumentative. Just setting the record straight. One man's junk is another's gold!

Mark

Not being argumentative, you had me fooled. You are all entitled to your opinion. Next time you want to get on my case, delete it.

Well I just offered the other side of the story for those of an impressionable nature that may read what you had to say and think that is the only way it is or can be! And as far at thinking you are going to tell me what to do YOU can delete that too.

No way would I want a bolt on loader over a bobcat. No way would I want a bolt on loader over a backhoe. Like I said, I'm not a fan of bolt on loaders or bolt on backhoe either. Get something built from the ground up as a loader, a bobcat or backhoe.

Well wanting and having are two different things and the difference can easily start with the difference in purchase price!

I agree with what you said but particularly with - 'I think tractors with hydrostatics work better with FEL.' That's FOR sure!

(quoted from post at 20:11:42 07/21/15) The Massey is great. It is a 1989, but with less than 900 hours. I was/am concerned that the hydraulics won't be strong enough. Guess I need to talk with my dealer, huh?

Click to expand...

I've got a brand-new Prince PTO pump (2000psi, 24GPM) that I'd sell. PM me.

mj,

I tried to pm, but gor error message saying messaging is disable.
Thanks.

Dawg in Fl