Front Loader or Telehandler?

[matt.wilson0805]

Pig farmer debating next purchase. So daily we need to move a lot of feed in different forms. pig feed, brewers grains and unsalable fruit and Veg. Unloading trailers towing, moving various size pig arcs and bedding out.

occasionally we need to cultivate and drill, which is currently contracted out When required but would like the opportunity do do more in house.

I feel I should I go telehandler. cheaper overall, more flexibility for the daily work than a front loader and leave cultivation etc subbed out.

fields can be up to 6 miles apart.

upto 20/30k difference in pricing In favour of the tele.

Right, what’s your thoughts?

 

[michael N123]

Most big modern loader tractors have a electric joystick and auto gearbox my McCormick can lift over 2 ton and stack silage bales 5 high… so if you have the room to manoeuvre what are you actually gaining with a telehandler

 

[feilding]

Having used a few telehandlers over the years, I still reckon a tractor and loader is better. And handier, and a lot more comfortable to drive. Granted if someone needs the reach of the boom then fair enough. Modern loaders can easily match the lifting capacity of a handler.

 

[Chieftain]

Pig farmer debating next purchase. So daily we need to move a lot of feed in different forms. pig feed, brewers grains and unsalable fruit and Veg. Unloading trailers towing, moving various size pig arcs and bedding out.

occasionally we need to cultivate and drill, which is currently contracted out When required but would like the opportunity do do more in house.

I feel I should I go telehandler. cheaper overall, more flexibility for the daily work than a front loader and leave cultivation etc subbed out.

fields can be up to 6 miles apart.

upto 20/30k difference in pricing In favour of the tele.

Right, what’s your thoughts?

Presumably this is outdoor pigs if arcs are involved? If so then loader tractor will be more comfortable for certain. Telehandler is equally better for a lot of pallet work.

Based on what you're saying with the 20/30k difference between telehandler and tractor, could you not get a high hour tractor loader for doing the cultivating/drilling in the 30/40k region and then maybe a lower spec telehandler for day to day work?

 

[Jackov Altraids]

If you are doing a lot of loader work, you won't beat having a dedicated loader/ handler for that work.
An appropriate sized machine will make the work much easier and faster.
I can't imagine you have tried one before as you wouldn't be asking the question.

I would still think about getting a tractor in the future as a back up and to take up some of the other work.

 

[Lakesdigger]

Telehandler for yard and sheds tractor for field and road

 

[Skintagain]

Most big modern loader tractors have a electric joystick and auto gearbox my McCormick can lift over 2 ton and stack silage bales 5 high… so if you have the room to manoeuvre what are you actually gaining with a telehandler

I have never driven a telehandler and though crikey I wish I was on a loader tractor

 

[michael N123]

Having used a few telehandlers over the years, I still reckon a tractor and loader is better. And handier, and a lot more comfortable to drive. Granted if someone needs the reach of the boom then fair enough. Modern loaders can easily match the lifting capacity of a handler.

Mine pulls like a train

 

[CPF]

Has to be

 

[CPF]

Has to be

You didn’t Watch it Michael n123

Lord muck, Will be upset with you.

 

[michael N123]

You didn’t Watch it Michael n123

Lord muck, Will be upset with you.

If there was any hills or minor inclines then he wouldn’t be thinking the same

 

[Dave W]

This is an absolute no brainier. A smallish telehandler specced to the right size will run rings round a loader tractor.

No one in the history of farming has ever said I’m pleased I bought that big useless loader tractor instead of a telehandler

Then buy a cheap tractor out hire something in when needed.

And yes those merlo multi farmer are a waste of space

 

[Farmeraduk]

After 23 years of saying I don’t need a telehandler I’m happy to admit i was wrong, mostly. Fetching 2000 silage bales on my own is still a tractor and trailer job. So both ideally.

 

[matt.wilson0805]

If you are doing a lot of loader work, you won't beat having a dedicated loader/ handler for that work.
An appropriate sized machine will make the work much easier and faster.
I can't imagine you have tried one before as you wouldn't be asking the question.

I would still think about getting a tractor in the future as a back up and to take up some of the other work.

I’ve always used telehandler so I am comfortable with them but as the farm grows and we take on more fields, feed and pigs our needs our changing.

I had a demo MF 5711M front loader for 6 weeks but just didn’t enjoy it enough to commit. Looking at a 20’ JD 613R with 623R front loader that my neighbour will part with for low 70s

the ever going road work brings appeal
or just stick with the trusty JCB Agri spec.

 

[matt.wilson0805]

This is an absolute no brainier. A smallish telehandler specced to the right size will run rings round a loader tractor.

No one in the history of farming has ever said I’m pleased I bought that big useless loader tractor instead of a telehandler

Then buy a cheap tractor out hire something in when needed.

And yes those merlo multi farmer are a waste of space

And I can spend 40-50k and still be quids in subbing out the field work.

whereas tractors that are of appeal are north of 65k

 

[Dave W]

And I can spend 40-50k and still be quids in subbing out the field work.

whereas tractors that are of appeal are north of 65k

You’ve never used a correctly specced dedicated handler have you.

 

[hoyboy]

I have never driven a telehandler and though crikey I wish I was on a loader tractor

You must not have driven some of the same telehandlers as I have then

 

[Skintagain]

You must not have driven some of the same telehandlers as I have then

the equivalent loader tractor of their time would have been equally horrendous

 

[Nearly]

Both.

 

[egbert]

Pig farmer debating next purchase. So daily we need to move a lot of feed in different forms. pig feed, brewers grains and unsalable fruit and Veg. Unloading trailers towing, moving various size pig arcs and bedding out.

occasionally we need to cultivate and drill, which is currently contracted out When required but would like the opportunity do do more in house.

I feel I should I go telehandler. cheaper overall, more flexibility for the daily work than a front loader and leave cultivation etc subbed out.

fields can be up to 6 miles apart.

upto 20/30k difference in pricing In favour of the tele.

Right, what’s your thoughts?

Another vote for telehandler for most lifting work.
Grip in fields in the wet ain't so good, and a tractor will do roadwork happier...but everything else? Handler all the way.

There's both sat on the button here, and given the choice...
(although some of it depends on other user's demands/what is available, and what implements fit what machine, obv)

Round feeders along tracks are filled with tractors, along with any roadwork.

Sheds mucked out and dung loaded with TH
Bales wrapped and stacked with TH
All sawmill loading handling done with TH (wouldn't want pallet forks on a loader tractor)