I currently own a WL-42 front-end loader, which is on a 185 Allis Chalmers tractor. I would like to state that this is the finest loader I have ever seen. This thing is incredibly easy to install/remove I cannot imagine owning any other loader.
Allen Gross
I like the Power-Mount and quick attach features of my Westendorf Loader. I change attachments three times a day on my TA-26. I have a pallet fork, bucket and hay spear that keep my 800 head of cattle fed.
Wayne Embry
I owned a weld shop, and I was continuously fixing and repairing loaders. When I bought myself a loader, I was determined it was going to be a Westendorf loader. Nobody else had one like it. Whenever they saw my loader, they would say, 'That's the stoutest loader I've ever seen!' It was built stronger, and I never had any trouble with it.
What really convinced me of the loader's strength is in the following story:
I had a fire break out in the barn, over 2,000 gallons of gasoline started on fire. I had my tractor and loader parked in the barn. The fire melted the tires right off the tractor, melted the tractor's hood and busted up the cab. The loader was scorched, the decals and hoses had melted off, but I wasn't sure about the loader's condition so I called my local Westendorf dealer to come out and take a look. He told me that loader had an internal I-Beam or double wall construction and the loader wasn't damaged. I couldn't believe it didn't split the loader's frame. Nothing warped, no welds were broken, the bucket was still in excellent condition. I couldn't believe the loader wasn't hurt - I took it up the road to a body shop, had it sand blasted, repainted, reinstalled the hoses and sold it.
That was a good loader. I had a dozer blade, bucket and pallet fork. Even after 10 years I never had to sharpen the bucket's blade. I leveled dirt, pushed out trees and sprouts, the blade stayed sharp. I really like the easy hook up system. I could sit in the tractor seat and see what I was working with. The low-profile allowed me to see to align the units. All I had to do was back up, hook on to the other attachment and I was back to work.
My Westendorf loader was a really fine outfit - that's for sure. If I were to go back into farming again, I definitely wouldn't buy anything but a Westendorf.
Bill Gossett - Casy, IL
I saw your article to Farm Bureau Magazine. We bought a loader of yours in 1972 and later a grapple fork in 1976. All is still working well. Only one little cylinder repair once. We feed cattle and it is used hard for everything. My cost of the loader at the time was $1111.11 bought from Barnard Implement in Eldora, IA. I am 82 years old and still using your loader after 34 years. Keep up the good work.
Carl King - Eldora, IA