If you have issues with loading the quilt on to leaders, you might want to look at the actual way you load.
Red Snappers are very popular right now. I just got a set and they'll be going on my leaders this weekend.
http://quiltsonthecorner.com/red_snappers
Out of curiosity - does that gentleman normally sell the machines he makes? I might want to upsize to an 17" in the future - I have a 15 right now.