NEWBIE FEL QUESTION

[lynxpilot]

Reading another post, it was implicit in the post that one shouldn't drill holes in the FEL. It didn't go on to say why, but referred to some story on this BBS where someone had and ended up with a problem. I searched and couldn't find anything. Did I misunderstand what was being said? I know this sounds ignorant, but I can't figure out why that would be an issue. I'm buying this week and would be looking at mods to accomodate lifting eyes, forklift tines, etc. and would be grateful for some wisdom before I start drilling and welding where I shouldn't. Thanks in advance.

 

[Golfgar4]

<font color="blue"> ( Reading another post, it was implicit in the post that one shouldn't drill holes in the FEL. )
</font>
Welcome to TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I don't recall ever seeing anything about not drilling in the FEL. I assume that you mean the bucket?

The big discussion about not drilling something has always revolved around the ROPS. In some camps (most, actually /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif), that's a No-No. There are those individuals that may think otherwise, but they seem to be in the minority.

You seem to be referring to the possibility of adding hooks to the bucket on the FEL? There are a lot of examples of guys having added hooks to their buckets, both by welding, which is probably the most common method, and by drilling holes. There are also examples of drilling holes in the sides of the bucket to accommodate a tooth bar.

If you do a search for bucket hooks or tooth bars, you should find plenty of information, including photos, of what others have done.

Hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Here's a link to a thread that discusses bucket hooks Kubota Bucket Hooks and Tooth Bar

 

[bellweather]

that's right, it's the rops that should not be drilled.
ok to drill holes in the fel for mounting tooth bar, hooks, etc.

 

[GareyD]

Just to clarify this for the uninitiated....

It's OK to drill holes in and weld onto the bucket of the FEL (using common sense to not weaken the geometry of the bucket itself)....

And for the same reasons you don't drill or weld on the ROPS...

It's a NO NO to weld, drill, or otherwise modify the actual FEL itself...nothing more sickening than watching the loader arms bend and/or break at a drilled hole or bad weld location /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Don't ask me how I know this (DAMHIKT)

GareyD

 

[RoyJackson]

If you drill or weld on the FEL frame (everything but the bucket), you can create a stress riser. Done properly, with some engineering investigation, I'm sure any repair or modification could be done safely. Problem is we users don't know how the stresses from operation are distributed. Even the engineers we have here on TBN can only guess without doing a fair amount of testing.
So, as with the ROPS, the FEL frame must be left intact.
However, for sake of discussion, if one's FEL arm's cracked (along the radius of one of the flanges for example, since radii are stress risers), I'm pretty sure the manufacturer's field representative would have a standardized repair technique which would include stop drilling the crack and welding it up. It could also include welding a doubler plate to distribute the loads on the repaired area.
But this would be a repair approved by the manufacturer.

Any other none approved repairs or modifications would invalidate any warranty and put the burden of risk on the owner/operator.

However, I'll wager there's quite a few old tractors and other equipment that have been weld repaired with no more then the field savvy farmers and equipment operators have learned over the years.

 

[have_blue]

If you can't drill into the FEL bucket, I guess I better weld up all those holes that came with my new bucket! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

All seriousness aside, drilling into the FEL arms is not a good idea, but small holes wouldn't hurt if not in a main stress point. Holes in the bucket are harmless.