Adding front end loader to L3000DT

[Mbuz]

If this has already been discussed, please just shoot me the link and I'll go to it, but I reached and couldn't find it.

I recently bought a L3000DT without front end loader and would like to add one.

I found one local for sale LA525 which from what I've researched so far should fit.. but since the tractor did not come with a loader what adapter/attachments do I need to install on the tractor to plug the hydraulic lines into for the loader?

And what are thoughts on a used, in good shape LA525 with all bolts and controls for 3500.00?

Thank you for any help I can get.

 

[85Hokie]

If this has already been discussed, please just shoot me the link and I'll go to it, but I reached and couldn't find it.

I recently bought a L3000DT without front end loader and would like to add one.

I found one local for sale LA525 which from what I've researched so far should fit.. but since the tractor did not come with a loader what adapter/attachments do I need to install on the tractor to plug the hydraulic lines into for the loader?

And what are thoughts on a used, in good shape LA525 with all bolts and controls for 3500.00?

Thank you for any help I can get.

The LA450 was the stock FEL - not sure that making something fit will be that easy.

 

[Roadworthy]

$500 is an excellent price for that loader. I think I paid $4000 new for mine four years ago. It fits several L series tractors but I have no idea how one would adapt it to something else nor do I know how complete they one you're looking at may be. The hydraulic hookup will probably be the least of your challenges. The control is mounted on the loader, by the way.

 

[TheOldHokie]

$500 is an excellent price for that loader. I think I paid $4000 new for mine four years ago. It fits several L series tractors but I have no idea how one would adapt it to something else nor do I know how complete they one you're looking at may be. The hydraulic hookup will probably be the least of your challenges. The control is mounted on the loader, by the way.

I missread that as well the first time - 3500 not 500.

Dan

 

[fried1765]

I missread that as well the first time - 3500 not 500.

Dan

The $3500.00 is very clear to me.
This is the oft posted issue of buying a tractor, and then, trying to find a loader.
The best advice, (also oft repeated) is to sell the tractor, and buy a tractor WITH a loader!

For the OP:
Think about the situation.
How many owners of your specific model tractor, will take their loader off, and then sell it?
Essentially, that sits squarely in the category of.... NEVER HAPPENS!

So ...... you are currently searching for an item, on the used market, that simply does not exist!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

well not 'never happens', rather 'very rarely'.
I've removed TWO Freeman loaders off my tractors and couldn't sell either of them(one had new cylinders ), after 4 months, both ended up going to China.

 

[TheOldHokie]

The $3500.00 is very clear to me.
This is the oft posted issue of buying a tractor, and then, trying to find a loader.
The best advice, (also oft repeated) is to sell the tractor, and buy a tractor WITH a loader!

For the OP:
Think about the situation.
How many owners of your specific model tractor, will take their loader off, and then sell it?
Essentially, that sits squarely in the category of.... NEVER HAPPENS!

So ...... you are currently searching for an item, on the used market, that simply does not exist!

It appears he has found a loader.

Dan

 

[PoTreeBoy]

Piling on here, but that tractor has 4F/1Rx2 unsynchronized transmission I think. Loader work usually involves a lot of forward-reverse shifting. That not-cheap loader, which is going to need some adaptation, combined with that transmission is going to result in a sub-optimal combination.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

An LA525 is not going to fit a L3000, much too new of a loader for much too old of a tractor.
The frames and mounting points changed drastically over those years.
You need either a LA450 as it will have a subframe that you need.
Or an aftermarket loader that was made to fit it, like a Woods, Westendorf or many others.

 

[fried1765]

It appears he has found a loader.

Dan

I would be very surprised...... if he has actually found the OEM loader for his specific model tractor.
That would be called pure luck.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I would be very surprised...... if he has actually found the OEM loader for his specific model tractor.
That would be called pure luck.

He made it quite clear in the original post - he has found an LA525. He thinks it will fit an L3000 - Wolfman thinks not. I don't know either way but I did answer his question which was how to plumb the hydraulics if it does.

Dan

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

He made it quite clear in the original post - he has found an LA525. He thinks it will fit an L3000 - Wolfman thinks not. I don't know either way but I did answer his question which was how to plumb the hydraulics if it does.

Dan

If he mounts the LA525 on the L3000 without a subframe he's simply going to break the tractor in half.
Then he can find a L2501, L3301, L3901 to bolt the loader to.

 

[TheOldHokie]

If he mounts the LA525 on the L3000 without a subframe he's simply going to break the tractor in half.
Then he can find a L2501, L3301, L3901 to bolt the loader to.

Perhaps you should tell that to him rather than me.

Dan

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Perhaps you should tell that to him rather than me.

Dan

I thought I did in post #9?

 

[fried1765]

He made it quite clear in the original post - he has found an LA525. He thinks it will fit an L3000 - Wolfman thinks not. I don't know either way but I did answer his question which was how to plumb the hydraulics if it does.

Dan

No offense intended.
I know nothing about which loaders might fit the OP's Kubota.
I would go with Wolfman's opinion!

 

[mikester]

There should be a sticky on this topic

Q. How do I get a cheap loader for my older tractor that doesn't have one?
A. Buy a tractor that has a loader already installed. Sell one that doesn't.

 

[GilaElkHunter]

I have a L3000DT and it came with a LA452 loader.

 

[ZOrg]

Loaders do become available due to tractor failures such as accidents. Guy on facebook had a tree fall on his BX right across the rear wheels and destroyed it but the loader was fine so he sold that. It happens.
At the end of the day, the question remains, how to tap into the hydraulics on the tractor. Let's not worry about what fits, he can adapt plates, make another mounting bracket etc ( I did that). If somone can answer his question, it would be great as I'm also interested. Thanks in advance

 

[TheOldHokie]

Loaders do become available due to tractor failures such as accidents. Guy on facebook had a tree fall on his BX right across the rear wheels and destroyed it but the loader was fine so he sold that. It happens.
At the end of the day, the question remains, how to tap into the hydraulics on the tractor. Let's not worry about what fits, he can adapt plates, make another mounting bracket etc ( I did that). If somone can answer his question, it would be great as I'm also interested. Thanks in advance

I answered that question early on.

Edit- Oops - that was in a PM. The short answer is you simply connect the loader using the hydraulic outlet block. The details of that vary with the model of tractor.

Dan

 

[Mbuz]

Update.. as stated, the 525 did not bolt up. I’m going to just use the tractor for it’s intended purposes, mowing and grading on my property and not worry about a FEL. Would be nice but not essential.
Thank you for the advice.