3012 with Loader, Thoughts?

[94-302-vert]

I am looking for a cheaper loader to use around the yard for the next couple years as I get things done... (new const).. there is a guy advertising a 3012 with loader for $1500. Any thoughts on how good these are... ie how much/how hard can they work? how much can they lift at one time?

[D-17_Dave]

To describe what all these tractors are capable of would be subject to the operators exsperiance. The best way to describe these loaders would be to list some plus's and minus's. Negatives would be no power steering under load. Only about a 1500lb load capasity. The tractor will be light in the rear end with a full load and digging would be limited compared to many of the larger tractors made to move dirt. Remember that this tractor falls in the less than sub-compact tractor size so to set your expectations to high would result in being disappointed. The plus's would be for moving light loads of materials around and some lifting to save your back. These little tractors come in very handy and they are small enough to get into small places and easy enough to operate that most anyone can do their own chores. It's more than a step above a motorised wheel barrow especially when you get a little experience with it. Lastly, at that price you should have no trouble using it and recouping your investment back when your done. Provided you don't decide to keep it.

[Kent]

As Dave says, having owned a 2012 with loader, I can confirm that it sure beats a motorized wheelbarrow... :D Here's some info (including Tech Specs) on what should be the equivalent Allis machine: http://www.simpletractors.com/attachments/l-12_loader.htm Note that it may have an older-model trip-bucket loader, instead of this one that hydraulically dumps. This is right after the time when the newer loader became available, and the old ones were often still hanging around in dealer stock. The AC equivalent for the trip-bucket model would be the L-10, instead of the L-12. There's specs available there for it too... Unless it is a trip-bucket, this should be the Simplicity operating manual for it: http://www.simpletractors.com/operation/515_loader/front_loader_515.htm This should be the parts manual for the equivalent Allis: http://www.simpletractors.com/parts/l-12/l-12_loader.htm Now, to address your questions head-on. Be aware of its limitations: 1. 300 lbs of lift to a height of 5 feet. 500 lbs of breakout force. This is NOT a compact tractor with loader that can lift 600-800 lbs to 6 feet or more and dump it in the back of your truck. 2. It does NOT have down-pressure on the bucket (single-acting cylinders) so you can't do a whole lot of digging with it. It does a great job, however of scooping up and hauling loose material, or in general just the hauling of stuff... If you'll have a toothbar made for it, you can likely dig better, but you'll still be limited by the single action cylinders and no down-pressure. 3. The frame on the tractor will not stand up to abusing it with the loader, ramming it into stuff, unless you reinforce it or it has been already reinforced by previous owners. The frame and the loader are designed for the limitations I described above. If you abuse it, you'll likely have to fix it at some point. With all that said, at $1500 if it is in good operating condition it is at least fairly priced, and perhaps a real bargain. It will do almost any landscaping task that a larger tractor will do -- it'll just take longer. If you'll live within its limitations, you can likely get years of service out of it with only routine maintenance, and then get your money back out of it... If you can't and won't live within those limitations, I'd suggest you look at a bigger machine which will cost at least twice if not 3 times as much, or more... That way, you won't be abusing the machine and those who value it as also a collector's item instead of just a tool will have a shot at it before it is abused too much... Sorry if this sounds a bit harsh or critical, but Been there, done that too. I started with the 2012, then went to a small early-1970s $3000 Kubota, then went to a 2000 model, $6000+ Power Trac. Good tractors with loaders, in good shape, don't come cheap regardless of their size.