JackC 617 #1 Posted July 22, 2014 I have been curious about having a tractor with a loader on it. I decided that what I really wanted was a four wheel drive unit with a loader so I passed on a number of Wheel Horse tractors with loaders. Then, this Kwik-Way loader showed up on eBay and not too far from me. I bid on it and won the auction for $869.03. I figured I could find out how well they work without having to lay out a lot more money. I have a 1997 520H with the heavy duty swept front axle and gear reduction steering that it will eventually go on. In the mean time I mounted it one of my C-175 Automatics just to see if it even worked. Well it does work and it is a nice set up. Things I ran into are the following. 1. The tolerances are very tight and a little extra paint made it hard to install. I had to scrape some excess paint off to get the front loader support piece to fit into the front tachmatic unit. The tight fit is a good thing since there will be no slop when using the loader. The fit to the tractor is excellent and the weigh box attaches to the rear of the loader frame under the tractor. 2. The pump belt runs very close to the PTO harp and I had to use a bungee cord to keep it from rubbing. I may be able adjust the pump to get a little more clearance. 3. The top hinge points are worn but that is not a problem for now. I may have the holes redone over the winter. 4. The pistons all leak down a little but not bad enough to interfere with getting some serious work done. 5. The traction of the rear turf tires and the lack of differential lock did give me some problems backing up a small incline with a load in the bucket. 6. The steering is not the easiest with the standard C-175 front end. The 520H with gear reduction should be much better. If I were to do it again I would pay more for a unit in a little better condition. It also has a lousy paint job on it. Now that I have this loader I will use it and hold out for a four wheel drive unit at a later date. Here are some pics. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,134 #2 Posted July 22, 2014 Little issues, but you've already got it working for you... and you definitely got a great price on it Jack. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
varosd 1,185 #3 Posted July 22, 2014 still a steal at that price! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1maidenfan 202 #4 Posted July 22, 2014 Awesome buy!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bubbacola 8 #5 Posted July 22, 2014 I have a workhorse loader on my C175 I love it. I too had a few problems but getting them worked out... put some weigth on it you will be surprizes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rexman72 210 #6 Posted July 22, 2014 looks like a great little loader Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aaubrey96 0 #7 Posted July 22, 2014 On those loaders is the pump ran off the pto or is there some other setup for it? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 617 #8 Posted July 22, 2014 (edited) On those loaders is the pump ran off the pto or is there some other setup for it? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk The pump mounts on a plate on the loader frame that mounts under the tractor. The pump is driven by a 30 inch V belt that runs off the PTO. The fluid reservoir is in the left side upright on the left side of the tractor. It takes about a gallon or more of Automatic Transmission Fluid to fill the reservoir. The pump runs off the PTO. Fluid is in the left side upright. Edited July 22, 2014 by JackC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boovuc 1,090 #9 Posted July 23, 2014 You will have some leak-down simply because there are no check valves on these loaders. If the leak-down is excessive, then you probably have some by passing in the cylinders. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cheesegrader 433 #10 Posted July 24, 2014 That's a great deal for a working loader. The paint is the first thing to go once you start using it regularly. If you really hate the look, blast it with rattle can black a couple of times a year. It isn't worth the effort to do much more. If it is shiny, you aren't using it enough! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse Fan 3 #11 Posted July 24, 2014 (edited) The pump runs off the PTO. P7200799.JPG You return line is collapsed or twisted, not sure if you caught that or not. That's a great price for the loader. I would've taken it and ran. The gear reduction steering definitely helps, but it can still be a bit hard to turn with a full bucket. Edited July 24, 2014 by Wheel Horse Fan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 617 #12 Posted July 24, 2014 Wheel Horse Fan, Yes, thanks, i was aware of the return line being twisted. The loader seemed to work fine with it like that. I do plan on draining the fluid out and replacing it since there may be some water or moisture in it and I also will be replacing that return line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boovuc 1,090 #13 Posted July 25, 2014 You will like that loader a whole lot more on the 520-H. Two things I would recommend: Get a decent rare earth magnet and place it near the bottom of the reservoir. This will help pick out larger pieces of metal in the event you have some crap get into your system. As soon as you can swing it, plan on installing a real hydro filter on your loader. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forest Road 594 #14 Posted July 25, 2014 Very nice! I have one on a 522xi. It suits my needs and the price was right! Nor will i ever compare it to a 4x4 in anyway. I use mine for snow and material movement. Sand and stone a couple times a year. Takes a little finesse with the stone but she gets it done. My tractor weighs approx 1100lbs by itself. Loader is 350. I have 500-600 lbs in the ballast box. You'll see a major improvement in traction and easier steering with the added weight. Best of luck Kevin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cutlas3391 776 #15 Posted July 25, 2014 Does anybody have a picture with a filter system on there loader? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boovuc 1,090 #16 Posted July 26, 2014 Hi Cutlas, Here are some pics that our members posted for a filter setup on their FEL. Complements of Pfrederi in Pennsylvania. This I believe is on a D series Ark Loader. (Correct me if I'm wrong Paul). Here is another Ark Loader on a D series complements of stevebo: (Real Nice)!!! There are others with setups but you get the idea. I'll have a filter on mine by the end of August! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cheesegrader 433 #17 Posted July 26, 2014 I can't get a picture since the loader is at my cabin, but it is mounted in the return line underneath the tracter. The baseplate is from northern tool, and the filter is NAPA 1551. It is attached to the subframe, and has a steel shield to protect it from striking stumps or roots. I wasn't sure about this setup at first, but i have learned to like it. I don't have room on the right side with the pump and the PTO lever in the way. If it was on the left upright, I would bang my knee on it, and I don't think I want it near the controls. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boovuc 1,090 #18 Posted July 27, 2014 That is good advice CheeseGrader. I plan on mounting mine lower but with enough room as to not soak everything with oil when it's changed. I also don't like high pressure hoses with hot oil up near my face. It already looks like a hot hose burst on it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorts 182 #19 Posted August 10, 2014 the filter should be on the low pressure return side of the hydraulic system, their should also be a screen on the suction side of the system in the bottom of the hyd tank to protect the pump and other components from large debris in the system Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
