Cntryboy0075
Bronze Member
Almost didn't get one with the tractor, sure glad I did !
Knew that FEL would come in handy...
- Thread starter Cntryboy0075
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Little Red Tractor
Gold Member
A buddy of mine told me that once I had the FEL I'd never use a wheelbarrow again. I'm working hard to prove him right!
creekbend
Super Star Member
Having a FEL, most certainly adds to the tasks that your tractor can perform. When I bought my tractor equipped with a FEL, the tractor had ballast in the rear tires and a grill guard. I also read the specs thoroughly, so I would know the limitation in regards to weight issues. You made a sound decision in regards to getting a FEL. :thumbsup:
beenthere
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2001
- Messages
- 18,499
- Location
- Southern Wisconsin, USA
- Tractor
- JD_4x2_Gator, JD_4300, JD_425, JD_455 AWS, added JD_455, JD_110, JD_X485(sold)
I felt the same way when I first had one. Then all that excitement repeated again when I added the forks. Now use the forks as much or more than the bucket.
There is no end to the fun.
There is no end to the fun.
Thomas
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 30,962
- Location
- Lebanon,NH.
- Tractor
- Kubota B2650HSD w/Frontloader & CC LTX1046 & Craftman T2200 lawn mower.
Those attachments will save on your back legs arms etc. over the years...well worth it.
Zebrafive
Super Member
Next step UP is a grapple!
OP
Cntryboy0075
Bronze Member
Certainly not regretting it at all ! I have put 17 hours on her so far, mostly all brush hogging, took my time and enjoyed just being in the seat. Checked and adjusted all the fluid levels at 11 hours. She sure saved me alot of dragging after trimming the trees once the mowing was done ! Got her washed back up and sitting in the shop waiting till im back off work.
joshuabardwell
Elite Member
I wouldn't have gotten my FEL except that my neighbor told me, "You have to get it. Once you have it, you'll use it for everything."
Just yesterday, I had some work to do on the pigs' waterer. It's a 55 gallon drum with hoses coming out of the bottom--gravity feed. I strapped it to the bucket and lifted it up into the air so I could easily check it for leaks, and so forth. When I had to remove a nipple, I tipped it back all the way, so the water wouldn't drain out (it was only about 1/8 full).
It's also really nice when I'm hogging and a tree branch is going to hit me in the face. Just raise the FEL up and push it out of the way. Although I did almost smack myself in the face once, before I figured out that I had to push the branches back and DOWN, not just back. I was driving forward and what was about to happen dawned on me, and I took my foot off the pedal real quick and backed up, just shaking my head.
Since I got the tractor, I have consolidated my compost piles into one huge compost pile, which stays much hotter. I have tried to turn it with the bucket, with only mediocre results. I think a manure rake or something like that might be useful, but I'm not sure it's worth it just for the compost.
I don't have a hay spear yet. What I have always done is drive the truck up to where the bales are stored and then roll them off into their approximate location. With a little bit of grunt, and maybe some help from a metal bar, I can get the big ones rolling. Now, though, I just push them around with the loader. I even stood one up on end to make it easier to pull hay off it when feeding the sheep.
I still use a wheelbarrow, though. There are some jobs that are small enough, I just can't justify pulling the tractor out of the barn. Call it a moral deficiency if you will...
Just yesterday, I had some work to do on the pigs' waterer. It's a 55 gallon drum with hoses coming out of the bottom--gravity feed. I strapped it to the bucket and lifted it up into the air so I could easily check it for leaks, and so forth. When I had to remove a nipple, I tipped it back all the way, so the water wouldn't drain out (it was only about 1/8 full).
It's also really nice when I'm hogging and a tree branch is going to hit me in the face. Just raise the FEL up and push it out of the way. Although I did almost smack myself in the face once, before I figured out that I had to push the branches back and DOWN, not just back. I was driving forward and what was about to happen dawned on me, and I took my foot off the pedal real quick and backed up, just shaking my head.
Since I got the tractor, I have consolidated my compost piles into one huge compost pile, which stays much hotter. I have tried to turn it with the bucket, with only mediocre results. I think a manure rake or something like that might be useful, but I'm not sure it's worth it just for the compost.
I don't have a hay spear yet. What I have always done is drive the truck up to where the bales are stored and then roll them off into their approximate location. With a little bit of grunt, and maybe some help from a metal bar, I can get the big ones rolling. Now, though, I just push them around with the loader. I even stood one up on end to make it easier to pull hay off it when feeding the sheep.
I still use a wheelbarrow, though. There are some jobs that are small enough, I just can't justify pulling the tractor out of the barn. Call it a moral deficiency if you will...
DKCDKC
Platinum Member
I find new uses for the FEL frequently. It's handy for pushing and pulling, and for lifting equipment, moving heavy stuff, like rolls of woven fence... Or a collection of cinderblocks, or fenceposts, rocks and such. With a Rachett Rake it tears out trees and brush, and is good for minor grading on the driveway. It's good for providing counterweight for using heavy implements, and forming a workbench for repairs in the field... Keeps tools and parts from getting lost in the grass too. I am constantly using it to haul seed, fertilizer and other stuff when I move around the farm... Usually incidental to other tractor work.
Recently used it to haul a ton of picnic supplies and chairs up a steep hill to an almost inaccessible spot for a wonderful family meal.
Recently used it to haul a ton of picnic supplies and chairs up a steep hill to an almost inaccessible spot for a wonderful family meal.