FAQ: 120R Front End Loader Sub-Frame

All John Deere 120R front end loaders work with our sub-frame kits. For all years, they are fundamentally the same, but here are some notable differences.

• Individual Hose Configuration (4 hydraulic hoses) – Supported
• Single Point Hydraulic Connection (SPHC) – Not supported

All John Deere H120 front end loaders work with our sub-frame kits.

• Individual Hose Configuration (4 hydraulic hoses) – Supported

No other models have been confirmed to work with our 120R sub-frame kits.

With a 53″ bucket, the 120R loader weighs about 510lbs (not including the mounts). For reference, the 45 Loader weighs about 49lbs with the 48″ bucket.

When ordering a Front End loader for a 1 series tractor (for example – 1025R or 1023E), a mounting kit is also required. John Deere calls this the Mounting Frame Assembly. It includes: 2 Horizontal mounts, 2 Vertical Masts and a hardware kit (horizontal mount nuts/bolts/washers and vertical masts bolts washers).

The following is what is needed from the mounting frame assembly kit.

• 2 – Vertical Masts
• 6 – Vertical Mast Bolts
• 12 – M16 Washers
• 6 – M16 Nuts (The nuts are not included on 2025 1 series mounting frame assembly kits because the 1 series frames are threaded). These will need to be provided by the customer or ordered from our store.

Note: It is significantly cheaper to buy the entire mounting frame assembly when buying from John Deere. In 2026, the entire kit is ~$450. The vertical masts are ~$350 each and you still need the mast bolts/nuts/washers.

• Check the condition of the loader, hydraulic cylinders, bucket and hoses (hard lines and flexible hoses). Make sure price reflects condition.
• Make sure the loader comes with the 4 individual hydraulic hoses
  • If the loader has the single point connection, expect to pay $800 for the individual hoses or prepare from some custom work to make the SPHC work with the sub-frame kit. Adjust your offer accordingly
• Make sure the loader comes with the mounting frame assembly (1 series mounts). If it does not come with the mounts, expect to pay ~$1400 for entire kit from John Deere or ~$700 for the vertical masts and hardware. Adjust your offer accordingly.
• It is desirable to have the entire 1 series mounting kit for resale purposes.

The 2 series vertical masts have not been confirmed to work. It is possible that they will work. They are wider (front to back) to accommodate the longer wheel base of the 2025R. This will push the loader further forward.

The THRV is not required for the loader to work. It will work just fine without it, but you will not be protecting your transaxle from pressure spikes when doing ground engagement work and you have full traction. Many after market loader companies don’t even mention it when purchasing their loader, but it is good insurance from damaging your transaxle. John Deere would include the valve and freewheel lever with the 45 Loader when purchased new up until they stopped selling it in 2012/2013.

It is not required, but is highly recommended. The stock hydraulic pressure is ~1000psi. We recommend shimming to ~1225psi to ~1300psi. This will give you ~200lbs more lifting capacity.

I’ve performed measurements with a crane scale strapped to the ground at the pin (just behind the bucket) and at the leading edge of the bucket. This is at 12″ above the ground

53″ bucket, bolt on hooks bracket bolted to bucket and 1225psi – Stock 1.5″ 120R cylinders

• 720lbs at the pin (just behind bucket), 500lbs at leading edge of bucket

53″ bucket, bolt on hooks bracket bolted to bucket and 1225psi – Upgraded Hydrosplus 1.75″ 120R cylinders

• 915lbs at the pin (just behind bucket), 695lbs at leading edge of bucket

Stock HDAP tires – 2023 X739. 20psi in the front and 18psi in the rear.

• 73″ to the lower “Pin”
• 71″ when the rear portion of the bucket is level with the ground
• 66.5″ when the lip of the bucket is level

We recommend 250lbs – 350lbs of rear ballast when using the loader to lift anything significant. For light items (less than ~150lbs, ballast is not needed. We always recommend running rear ballast and keeping loads low to the ground.

• 3 point hitch
  • Ballast Box
  • Implement
• Click-N-Go
  • Ballast Box
  • Weight bracket with suitcase weights
• Custom
  • DIY ballast box or weight bracket

• For new loaders, I always tell customers to check with their dealer as anything I write here will be obsolete immediately.
• For used loaders, expect to pay between $3000 and $4500 depending on condition. If you are getting a used loader below the bottom end, you are getting a really good deal. If you are getting used loader for more than the top end, I strongly encourage you to look at new loaders.

In my personal experience, there really is no aftermarket solution that is in the same league as the John Deere 120R. The 120R is a very heavy duty loader capable of lifting at least 2x what you will ever be able to lift with our X700 series garden tractors. I’ve had many reports of bent buckets and tweaked loaders on the aftermarket solutions. Also, the John Deere Quick Attach system is amazing. It allows for very quick implement changes.