Why A FEL?

[Harv]

This has been covered numerous times before, but as I think of some folks contemplating whether or not to order a FEL with their tractor, I think of how it was for me. I guess I was on the other end of the scale, 'cuz my mindset was more, "I'm getting a FEL. Wonder what kind of tractor I should put behind it?". /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Attached is a partial photo summary of my first year with my loader (which came attached to an L2500DT). Contrary to popular opinion, I don't take pictures of everything I do, so this really just scratches the surface. So to speak. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

There have been many other photos posted on TBN showing the interesting uses a FEL can be put to, but I can't recall them all right now. Anybody have some snaps to share?

p.s. As you can see from the picts, I also consider some sort of bucket forks as essential as the loader itself. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

 

[MikePA]

Harv,

What a fantastic summary of how a FEL can be used! I find that I have to remind myself, when I am faced with getting something done, that I now have a FEL. It's usually easy to think of using a FEL in those situations where you'd use a wheelbarrow, it's the other uses you show that are so helpful.

A few weekends ago I was cleaning up a hickory tree that had died and was not looking foward to dealing with all the little sticks, twigs, old hickory nuts, etc. I did not want to burn them since it's been so dry and I knew it'd take a long time to put everything into garbage bags. Then a lights shines, put all the stuff into the FEL, drive to the barn where we have a dumpster, dump it in. Job's done. Something I could not have done with the wheelbarrow.

Ditto for getting rid of the swing set. Saw it up, put it in the FEL, drive to the barn, dump it in the dumpster. Job done. No need to cut it up into small enough pieces for putting out with the garbage.

 

[njrqs]

Showoff !!!

Here's what I can do with a shovel and barrow.

Yep - Nothing !!

Cheers !!

<font color=blue>Neil from OZ.</font color=blue>

 

[Jeff396]

You really have to get one of these things. I always seem to live on property where the dirt always has to be brought up the hill....never down the hill. The digging the dirt up I never had a problem with. It was the getting it somewhere else that would kill me!!! Goodbye WHEELBARROW!!!!

Jeff

 

[njrqs]

I know I know....

Just can't seem to justify the expense (Read convince the wife)

Part of the reason I bought acreage was to get some excercise seeng as I have a desk job at home.

So I guess I have to do some things the old fashioned way!!!

<font color=blue>Neil from OZ.</font color=blue>

 

[theboman]

A wheel barrow with a motor!

Bo McCarty
Bluegrass, Pick It Up!

 

[MChalkley]

Well done, Harv! I saw a big orange cup ridin' high in several of those pictures, too! It's a wonder that thing stays on with all that heavy liftin' you're doing there... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

MarkC

 

[StanInCalif]

I like your approach, Harv- "What implements do I need and how much tractor do I need to run them?" The implements do the actual work; the tractor merely powers and controls them. I think it is wise for a prospective buyer to approach from this angle.

<font color=green>stan</font color=green>

 

[Mike_S]

Having owned several compact diesels without FELs, and now I am on my second WITH a FEL, I can make the observation that it is so useful as you illustrated so well, that if I were just mowing my yard and did not have a FEL, I would be better off with a Grasshopper, but the FEL is the single most important implement needed on the tractor for my uses. In addition to your uses I wishI could have posted pictures of me standing in the bucket (probably not the safest thing to do), or on a pallet on the forks trimming trees, painting, and standing on a step ladder on the forks in an effort to spray the tops of some tall trees. Of course its use as a $25K wheel barrow goes unsaid. Mike S

 

[StanInCalif]

Harv-
Indeed, the uses for an FEL are endless. My latest thought is to get a climbing belt and/or fashion some sort of a restraining device, so that I can strap my S.O. into the bucket, and, armed with a pole saw/pruner, she can trim my 50 year old shade trees. Of course, I will have to stress that the horizontal, twisted "branches" composed of two blacks and a silver are not to be cut.

<font color=green>stan</font color=green>