kubota R520S

RIVIEZZO TREE EXPERTS · Jul 2, 2015

looking for a articulating loader, heavy duty enough to handle tree work. local guy has one of these for sale 2012 with 250 hrs on it with a bunch of attachments? with a down payment he's offering the option to make some payments no interest. any opionions

eastsidetimber · Jul 2, 2015

I have an r420s. Its amazing the amount of work it'll do. Sometimes I wish I had the 520 for a little more lift capacity but I think the 420 is the sweet spot though. Mine has over 5k hours on it and running strong....I do go overboard with maintenance though. If I were you I wouldn't give it a second thought.

RIVIEZZO TREE EXPERTS · Jul 2, 2015

2012 with 250 hrs, comes with 3/4 yrd bucket, grapple bucket, 12" post hole digger, standard forks, 10' snow box 48k

cory · Jul 3, 2015

Sounds like a steal if it has been maintained well

TreelineNH · Jul 7, 2015

Just bought a GEHL AL540, came today actually and just got done playing with it. Its amazing how much and can lift, and no turf damage. Weights 7200lbs roughy and 48hp. It was a 2010 with 180 hours. Paid 41k shipped to my house with bucket and forks. GEHL, WACKER, & takeuchi make similar models.

AmericanArborist · Jul 11, 2015

TreelineNH said:
Just bought a GEHL AL540, came today actually and just got done playing with it. Its amazing how much and can lift, and no turf damage. Weights 7200lbs roughy and 48hp. It was a 2010 with 180 hours. Paid 41k shipped to my house with bucket and forks. GEHL, WACKER, & takeuchi make similar models.

is that an enclosed model?

TreelineNH · Jul 11, 2015

Yep. I plan to use it for snow removal aswell.

AmericanArborist · Jul 11, 2015

I found mine to be pretty lousy in the snow. If the front wheels pick up a little bit then the machine doesn't steer. A skid loader is much better for snow IMO but if this is what you got, run it.

Lumberjack · Jul 11, 2015

Why not put the boom and/or bucket in float?

AmericanArborist · Jul 11, 2015

Lumberjack said:
Why not put the boom and/or bucket in float?

You get snow down there Carl?
I've tried that too. It would work ok I think for pushing lots with a big snow pusher. With my material bucket I don't like it that much. I didn't get to use it too much last winter. It was my first year with the machine. We didn't get much snow and I spent most of my winter abroad in warmer weather.

Jeff · Jul 11, 2015

TreelineNH said:
GEHL, WACKER, & takeuchi make similar models.

Since our loader has become very comfortable at the repair shop and we're seriously questioning if we're ever going to see it again, we just picked up this Wacker Neuson WL30 this week.

2013, 102 hours, came with pallet forks and mulch bucket (we added the grapple). Found it on Machinery Trader in northern New Jersey, private sale, got it for $30K.

Spec wise, it's pretty close to the others:
Wacker WL30 Gehl AL540 Kubota R520s
Horsepower: 48 47 43.9
Weight: 6,878 7,720 8,980
Width: 53" 54" 69.3"
Static Tipping Load, Straight, with Pallet Forks: 3,583 lbs 3,755 3,870

Personally, I think I'd rather give up the 300 lbs capacity to save the 2100 lbs weight and 16" of width compared to the Kubota when working in residential yards, but if you can deal with the width and weight, I'd grab it for that price. Especially if you have a dealer in your vicinity. We don't have a Gehl dealer anywhere in our part of the county. Hard to find anyone who'll say a bad word about Kubotas, everyone seems to really like them.

Jeff · Jul 11, 2015

Well, I had nicely formatted that table but it sure didn't post that way. I've tried to edit it but to no avail: It looks great in the edit box, all spaced out and lined up, but once posted it's all bunched up to the left. Sorry fellas, anyone know the secret?

Lumberjack · Jul 11, 2015

AmericanArborist said:
You get snow down there Carl?
I've tried that too. It would work ok I think for pushing lots with a big snow pusher. With my material bucket I don't like it that much. I didn't get to use it too much last winter. It was my first year with the machine. We didn't get much snow and I spent most of my winter abroad in warmer weather.

We got 8" in a single storm this year, usually there's not snow. My thought stemmed from the part where you were lifting the front tires.

AmericanArborist · Jul 11, 2015

Jeff said:
Since our loader has become very comfortable at the repair shop and we're seriously questioning if we're ever going to see it again, we just picked up this Wacker Neuson WL30 this week.
View attachment 32630

2013, 102 hours, came with pallet forks and mulch bucket (we added the grapple). Found it on Machinery Trader in northern New Jersey, private sale, got it for $30K.

Spec wise, it's pretty close to the others:

Wacker WL30 Gehl AL540 Kubota R520s
Horsepower: 48 47 43.9
Weight: 6,878 7,720 8,980
Width: 53" 54" 69.3"
Static Tipping Load,
Straight, with Pallet Forks: 3,583 lbs 3,755 3,870

Personally, I think I'd rather give up the 300 lbs capacity to save the 2100 lbs weight and 16" of width when working in residential yards, but if you can deal with the width and weight, I'd grab it for that price. Especially if you have a dealer in your vicinity. We don't have a Gehl dealer anywhere in our part of the county. Hard to find anyone who'll say a bad word about Kubotas, everyone seems to really like them.

Deal of the century right there.

Gorman · Jul 12, 2015

You gotta get the turf tires of your going on lawns. The finished product is much nicer.

baumeister · Jan 16, 2016

I am in the market for a new loader and am looking into gehl 540 and equivalent kubota or wacker. I need maximum lifting power to move and load big logs. Also, Research tells me mini wheeled loaders need less horsepower to do the same amount of work as skid steers because of the power needed to turn skids. Mini articulated Wheel loaders with comparable lifting power of skid steers will have 20 to 30 hp less so that is a big sales point for me.
Soooo...

Anyone have recommendation on a mini wheel loader.

Lumberjack · Jan 17, 2016

Check out the thread on the Giants. IMO they are the best mini wheel loaders period, although I also sell Avant for mini wheel loaders. I also sell Gehl as well as the larger Giant wheel loaders (larger than the 540 are available).

http://www.treebuzz.com/forum/threads/new-articulating-loader-from-top-notch.31791/

Have you seen my AL540 videos? They're on www.youtube.com/rutherfordconLLC

TreelineNH · Jan 17, 2016

Love my al540. Has 10k of break out force. I haven't really gotten to a log I couldn't move. I have about 150hrs on. 2014 tier 4 Intrium. Runs flawless. I actually have 3" wheel spacers coming this week. I would say it's narrow stance is its only flaw since it's fairly tippy. I will post pictures once they are installed.

Gorman · Jan 18, 2016

TreelineNH said:
Love my al540. Has 10k of break out force. I haven't really gotten to a log I couldn't move. I have about 150hrs on. 2014 tier 4 Intrium. Runs flawless. I actually have 3" wheel spacers coming this week. I would say it's narrow stance is its only flaw since it's fairly tippy. I will post pictures once they are installed.

I didn't know you can get wheel spacers. Does your have the turf tires?

Jackjcc · Jan 18, 2016

The stance is the worst part of the gehl, my only real complaint with it. Would you mind posting a part number and where you got the spacers? I need to show my mechanic, maybe get a set.