Telehandler vs tractor for daily chores ?
- Thread starter cousinjack
- Start date
Norfolk Hill Farmer
Member
I wouldn’t want to use a FLE just to save a bit of fuel. The bigger question comes when it’s time to replace the telehandler ,could you do without it altogether ?
im currently using a high hour 100hp 4wd loader tractor for all loading, feeding etc. It works perfectly fine for me (though mine is overdue replacing). This is for running costs reasons and because it does a fair amount of fieldwork. a manitou 625 or other mini telehandler would undoubtedly be handier for feeding duties. diesel wise i doubt there would be any difference, but repairs/maintenance wise a basic loader tractor is hard to beat. if you are on concrete i would be looking at decent size skidsteer. i wouldnt buy an old massey unless i needed it for fieldwork too. in fact i would never buy an old massey, but each to their own 
Last edited:
Bossfarmer
Member
- Location
- between Perth and Inverness
Loader tractors far cheaper to run, its the maintenance thats the big saving though not the fuel
I would not entertain using a telehandler for that sort of work if there was any chance that small children could get through the hopefully locked gate and gain access to the yard. At least with a tractor you can see more behind you.
Since all you’re doing is putting bales into feeders and the straw chopper on concrete, for me it would come down to which is the best starter and easiest to get in and out of. I can’t see how it can be any quicker if all you’re doing is picking a bale up and putting it in a trough.
Since all you’re doing is putting bales into feeders and the straw chopper on concrete, for me it would come down to which is the best starter and easiest to get in and out of. I can’t see how it can be any quicker if all you’re doing is picking a bale up and putting it in a trough.
I hope you have a good left knee
another suggestion: if you like your masseys, get rid of the 390 and the handler and buy a mf 5455 with a good loader (quicke/trima/mx) and the 100L/min hydraulic pumps. the 390 will be pretty awful as a loader tractor. im not a massey fan but the 5455 is an awesome setup with the right loader, and handy for a bit of fieldwork too.
Nearly
Member
- Location
- North of York
- Location
- SW Scotland
Unless you're shifting 2 at a time with the handler, you're not going to lose much time with a FEL just on haylage bales.
If you already have a loader to put on the 390 it's got to be worth a try.
Even if it doesn't work out with the FEL, at least you'll have some back-up if your 9000hr handler decides not to play ball some morning.
If you already have a loader to put on the 390 it's got to be worth a try.
Even if it doesn't work out with the FEL, at least you'll have some back-up if your 9000hr handler decides not to play ball some morning.
- Location
- Cornwall
This is kind of my point also….
I need a 7m handler.. we do a lot of straw handling so 7m works well for us.
not using the handler daily should increase its service life..
seems overkill to use the handler
Anything that lifts on a dairy farm costs money in maintenance. Maybe a tractor would be cheaper, but front axle rebuilds aren’t cheap. The OP is using a 2wd, ok on flat concrete, with a relatively low workload, just keep the pivot well greased.
Having used multiple DB 2wd loader tractors, there’s a snowball’s chance in hell I’d go back to using them compared to a dedicated machine.
All this hate towards front loaders! I'd have a front loader tractor over telehandler any day! Yes, most of my work revolves around moving/delivering bales and roadwork so a front loader suits me better, but would still rather have the comfort, road speed, high up seat and power than the manoeuvrability.
This might just be the best reason to give it a go . It must be worth a go - just keep on top of the tractor front axle maintenance/servicing.
- Location
- Shropshire
I remember our old MF290 with and FEL. We used to feed 120 cattle with it at other farm. The difference when we bought my uncles JCB 524 to replace it was night and dayWell a FEL will do a fair bit of work... But needs to be a 4WD every time, unless the neaviest thing you will lift is a round bale of straw on a concrete pad
Gerbert
Member
- Location
- Dutch biblebelt
If you are on concrete might I suggest:
www.tractorfan.nl
Industrial forklifts are very frugal and cheap to buy compared to a telehandler.
Foto Linde Heftruck #1448629 - TractorFan
Foto van een Linde Heftruck, ook maar even deelnemen aan de #kuilhapperchallange. Met wellicht een unieke kuilhapper, dit is namelijk een mchale kuilhapper
www.tractorfan.nl
Industrial forklifts are very frugal and cheap to buy compared to a telehandler.
We have a 2wd drive 390 with a loader and for day to day duties of chucking bales into the pigs it’s easier than using the telescopic as our sheds and passageways are quite tight, it’s also slightly easier to hitch up the bale trailer too. I don’t know if it’s quicker.
However we still use the Jcb Instead.
However we still use the Jcb Instead
.
- Location
- LINCOLNSHIRE/KENYA
My 21 year son had never used a tractor and loader this year the old JCB we have a home was playing up so he had to borrow a loader tractor to move bales it wasn’t an old tractor either. I got a phone call from him nearly in tears telling me if I ever bought a loader tractor he was never working for me again.
Latest Products - J Bourne Tractors
Browse Categories Welcome to J Bourne Tractors J Bourne Tractors specialise in the supply of new and used agricultural tyronehinery throughout the UK and also around the world. Based in the heart of the Staffordshire Moorlands just outside the market town of Leek, we are easily accessible from...
www.jbournetractors.co.uk
Cheap and from YT vids, reasonably cheerful...
Or for teh OP, the smaller, 800kg version?
NEW HERACLES H180 PIVOT STEER LOADER - J Bourne Tractors
NEW HERACLES H180 PIVOT STEER LOADER 800KG LIFT HYDROSTATIC DRIVE SYSTEM YANMAR 3CYLINDER ENGINE JOYSTICK OPERATION INCLUDING THE FORWARD / REVERSE EURO 8 HEADSTOCK ( QUICKE ) REMOVABLE CANOPY FOR LOW BUILDINGS FANTASTIC ALTERNATIVE TO A SCRAPER TRACTOR CHOICE OF BUCKETS , PALLET FORKS &...
www.jbournetractors.co.uk
had a demo 2 yrs ago. Don’t. Just don’t.Latest Products - J Bourne Tractors
Browse Categories Welcome to J Bourne Tractors J Bourne Tractors specialise in the supply of new and used agricultural tyronehinery throughout the UK and also around the world. Based in the heart of the Staffordshire Moorlands just outside the market town of Leek, we are easily accessible from...
Cheap and from YT vids, reasonably cheerful...
Or for teh OP, the smaller, 800kg version?
NEW HERACLES H180 PIVOT STEER LOADER - J Bourne Tractors
NEW HERACLES H180 PIVOT STEER LOADER 800KG LIFT HYDROSTATIC DRIVE SYSTEM YANMAR 3CYLINDER ENGINE JOYSTICK OPERATION INCLUDING THE FORWARD / REVERSE EURO 8 HEADSTOCK ( QUICKE ) REMOVABLE CANOPY FOR LOW BUILDINGS FANTASTIC ALTERNATIVE TO A SCRAPER TRACTOR CHOICE OF BUCKETS , PALLET FORKS &...