Skid Steer fronthoe on a FEL

[Rickklem]

I am looking to purchase either the L3901 or the L4701 in the next few weeks. Either one will be outfitted with the Skid Steer quick disconnect FEL. Has anyone ever tried using a front hoe set up used on skid steers. I have priced a few and the range from 1500 to 2800. I know weight would come into play depending on which loader I get. Some of the front hoes weight 150 to 250. I don't know if the pressure would be enough to operate it. I also would expect that I would have to add a ballast box to the rear to help hold it down.

Has anyone tried it, or do you think it would work?

 

[Mark_BX25D]

I have not tried it, but I can't see a tractor's FEL arms being stout enough to handle that kind of stress.

 

[UpNorthMI]

I don’t recommend using a skid steer front hoe on a tractor FEL, I own a L3901 and a bigger MX5800 and a track loader. Tractor FEL is not built to take the forces that a Front hoe can apply. A skid steer / track loader is a totally different machine in the capacity and capability of the front mount. If you try to run a front hoe on a L series tractor you are likely to damage the loader frame or arms.
Tractor back hoes use a subframe and 3pt for a reason.

Best alternative is to go rent a small excavator for the times you really need one or alternatively look for a used backhoe to fit your tractor.

Good luck with your new tractor purchase, I really like my L3901 but the loader is limited, with forks on, I can lift about 800 lbs maximum on a pallet, loaded rear tires and ballast required.