Top 10 things NOT to do with a new loader!
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Dargo
Super Member
- Joined
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Oh man, watch out for a surprise manhole when pushing snow. Holy cow, I just about broke both thumbs and still smashed my head into the windshield even with my seatbelt on! 
I still can't believe I didn't demolish my FEL hitting something that hard and stopping about 12,000 pounds from about 6 mph to 0 in about 1 inch (moved the entire manhole about an inch). It stopped so fast my windshield wiper flipped straight out and one headlight popped out of it's socket. I'm still claiming that it was the hard yank by my seatbelt that caused the mess in my pants. Yeah, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
I still can't believe I didn't demolish my FEL hitting something that hard and stopping about 12,000 pounds from about 6 mph to 0 in about 1 inch (moved the entire manhole about an inch). It stopped so fast my windshield wiper flipped straight out and one headlight popped out of it's socket. I'm still claiming that it was the hard yank by my seatbelt that caused the mess in my pants. Yeah, that's my story and I'm sticking to it! 
shane
Gold Member
Oh man, watch out for a surprise manhole when pushing snow. Holy cow, I just about broke both thumbs and still smashed my head into the windshield even with my seatbelt on!
There is this backhoe operator I know who is a real jerk. Really, a class A big jerk. So one day he was cleaning off the mud that he tracked onto the road (the city made him). He was flying down the road in road gear with his front bucket down and wham! He caught a manhole. He had his cab door pinned back and was not wearing a seat belt. The sudden stop threw him into the steering wheel and then out onto the road. He rolled around and moaned for a while but other than his big ego he was ok.
He kinda makes me think of the the slinky analogy (not that I would want to see any real harm come to him) that says some people are like slinkys, they are really not good for anything but you can't help but smile when they fall down stairs.
CurlyDave
Elite Member
I am surprised I haven't seen this one yet, but in almost every situation, it is far better to have the bucket tilted slightly up instead of slightly down. More than slightly up.
Think about what is going to happen when you have a big load and suddenly have to drop the bucket for stability. If the front lip is down or even level, it can dig in and you will stop faster than is good for you or your tractor. If the front lip is up, it will hit the ground but not dig in.
texasjohn
Super Member
Dargo.... I just can't stop giggling at your plight... but am glad I don't have to deal with snow
Dargo
Super Member
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2004
- Messages
- 5,981
- Location
- S. IN
- Tractor
- Jinma, Foton, TYM, Belarus, Yanmar, Branson, Montana, Mahindra and maybe some green and orange too.
There is this backhoe operator I know who is a real jerk. Really, a class A big jerk. So one day he was cleaning off the mud that he tracked onto the road (the city made him). He was flying down the road in road gear with his front bucket down and wham! He caught a manhole. He had his cab door pinned back and was not wearing a seat belt. The sudden stop threw him into the steering wheel and then out onto the road. He rolled around and moaned for a while but other than his big ego he was ok.
He kinda makes me think of the the slinky analogy (not that I would want to see any real harm come to him) that says some people are like slinkys, they are really not good for anything but you can't help but smile when they fall down stairs.
LOL, I looked around and I think some people were coming towards my tractor to see if I was okay or still alive after all the noise it made when I popped that manhole sticking up about and inch. I think when they saw me moving around inside the cab and probably heard me saying "oh, shi*!", they sort of slinked off figuring I wasn't badly hurt.
I can relate to being tossed off though. It was really stupid too. I had a little Case 450 high lift and was working on my pond. Next to my right hand was the lever that controlled direction. Push it forward and you went forward, move the lever back and the machine went into reverse. I was running as fast as it would go just crumbing a bit and had just reached up and lowered the bucket just a hair more. Unfortunately, when I did so I hit the direction lever with my elbow bringing my arm back to the arm rest. Dang if that thing didn't immediately go in reverse! Not having my seat belt on proved to be a bad deal. I shot out over the hood, removing the exhaust pipe with my left shoulder on the way, bounced across the top of the bucket once, and landed hard on the ground.
I wanted to roll around and see if anything was broken but the danged machine was still running in reverse and headed towards my house!
I was able to chase it down in short order, but it took me a bit to jump onto the machine. I'd always climbed on the tracks to get on before. Seeing those tracks moving rather quickly startled me enough to know I couldn't step on one. I'm glad I made it into the cab on the first dive. Otherwise, I may have had to permanently leave a Case 450 in my basement. Of course, my wife saw the whole thing. All she had to say was "Wow, that was really bright". 
schmism
Super Member
Does this apply to trailer fenders also?
this also applies to front tires of your truck
bstnh1
New member
Great thread - excellent posts, guys. I'm a new owner of a MF GC2300 w/FEL, so the tips are good to know.
veresjwv
Silver Member
Hey bstnh1 - Welcome to TBN and congrats on the new tractor!!
There is a great bunch of guys here and tons of info, wish you the best!
Yep! I have a real problem with this one while operating in reverse!