How level does ground need to be to remove/attach 200CX loader?

[jgayman]

I would like to get a 200CX loader for my 2720. I can keep it on most of the time except for winter when I'll need to remove it to attach my 54" snow blower. How level does the ground have to be to remove/attach the loader? I don't have many level spots - at least nowhere I could leave the loader parked. Can the quick attachment process accomodate a slight uphill or downhill or side slope?

Thanks.

 

[HunterWare]

It needs to be flat, but level isn't so important. If you have a bit of a crown you would want to be perpendicular to it, having the 200cx tilted right/left will be much harder then having it tilted forward/back. I doubt you would notice a forward/back tilt until things got pretty extreme, but having the right/left posts even an inch or two out of level with the approaching tractor will make things a huge pain in the butt. One of the posts will sit into the receiver but the other will hang in the air unable to be latched...

I made a little packed gravel area that worked for me, and others had put a large piece of plywood down to drop onto and hook up on.

Hope this helps,
Hunter

 

[RoyJackson]

The flatter the better...and that includes room for both the tractor and dismounted loader. Level is preferable, of course. A hard surface helps too, so neither the loader or tractor "sinks".
As far as up or downslope...I wouldn't unless it's an extremely mild slope. The cylinders only have a finite amount of travel and a slope could cause problems when mounting or dismounting.

 

[p0peye]

When you get the loader you could use it to level a nice spot to keep it just a thought.

 

[jgayman]

Thank you for the replies. I was thinking more of a few degrees of upslope or downslope. I have a few spots that are fairly level horizontally but have a very slight upslope. Was thinking as I would drive into the spot even though it might be a few degrees uphill the tractor would be at the same incline as the loader.

I liked the idea about a piece of heavy plywood. That would further ensure that the tractor and loader remain at the same angle relative to each other.

 

[jgayman]

When you get the loader you could use it to level a nice spot to keep it just a thought.

Now THERE'S someone who is thinking! :thumbsup:

 

[danedgington]

It doesn't need to be that level, like a garage floor, as long as left to right match on the tractor, loader and loader frame. A little up hill front to back doesn't matter; however, if you leave it unattached and the bucket fills with water, you may need to relieve the hydraulic pressure in the hose (depress the pin on quick connect) to get the hose attached.

Dan

 

[SSdoxie]

The side to side slope or level is what's critical. Rear wheels need to be on the same plane as the loader. If you do run inot a problem rehooking where 1 side of loader is higher than other, back tractor up and puts some planking down on that side to drive the rear wheel up on versus trying to man handle to loader. Been there, done that.

 

[sixdogs]

The side to side slope or level is what's critical. ...

. Been there, done that.

I'll second that in a big way and also suggest finding a level surface to try a few removes and installs before the big day of the few degrees. Side to side change will prove maddening but experience will help with a very minor up or down slope

 

[techwrtr2]

I found with my 70A if the ground is uneven it makes remounting a lot more difficult. It seems to settle somewhat to the ground so when I attempt to latch it back in place it just does not want to go. I adjusted my practice of where I park it when not mounted and haven't had a problem since. Just dropping the loader anywhere isn't a great idea.

 

[jgayman]

Is a 200CX loader something I can have delivered and install myself or do I need to have the dealer do the initial installation? I guess it would need to be delivered already in the parked position to allow me to reattach it.

 

[Mechanos]

When I picked up my 70A from the individual I bought it from, I purposely bled the boom down to the ground to make it easier to load, position and tie down on my trailer. Once I got it home, unloaded and sitting on the ground, I obviously couldn't drive underneath it with the mast down on the ground. I just faced the tractor the opposite direction and pulled up along side the loader so I could plug the hoses in. Then I raised the masts into the normal "parked" position. Unhooked the hoses, pulled the tractor around, drove underneath it and mounted it up.

Anytime you leave the loader parked for extended periods of time, there is the chance that the masts my bleed down to the point that you can't get back under it. I always try to park it in a location that I can get along side of it on the hose side in case I need to raise it a little so I can get underneath it. If you can't park it such that you can get along side of on the hose side, you can still raise it back up by spending a little money on a set of extension hoses.

 

[sixdogs]

Unless you are very mechanically inclined and have suffered through the trauma of heavy equipment things going wrong, have the dealer install it. Their price is a bargain and they'll do it in 1/10th of the time and get it right.

 

[radioman]

I find that when Taking my FEL off- flat area is the key where the FEL stand and bucket is and the rear tires are on same plane. side slope is out of the picture as the front axel pivots causes to tilt more. I also found that downslope is heck alot better then up slope as I can gain extra curling space to align the pins.

 

[techwrtr2]

Anytime you leave the loader parked for extended periods of time, there is the chance that the masts my bleed down to the point that you can't get back under it. I always try to park it in a location that I can get along side of it on the hose side in case I need to raise it a little so I can get underneath it. If you can't park it such that you can get along side of on the hose side, you can still raise it back up by spending a little money on a set of extension hoses.

I have yet to encounter that problem with mine, but then I don't leave the loader off of it for months at at time. I use it far too much. Where I used to park it, I would be able to get along side of it. Now, I slip it into a shed and could not. But I'll take that risk as it is 100% easier to remount. Haven't had an issue since I started the practice.

 

[Mechanos]

I have yet to encounter that problem with mine, but then I don't leave the loader off of it for months at at time. I use it far too much. Where I used to park it, I would be able to get along side of it. Now, I slip it into a shed and could not. But I'll take that risk as it is 100% easier to remount. Haven't had an issue since I started the practice.

I haven't experienced it either... was saying that the possibility exists.

 

[techwrtr2]

I haven't experienced it either... was saying that the possibility exists.

It certainly exists. My bucket settles somewhat now. The arms don't. Yet. I just look at how the backhoe on my Beaver settles. I have to keep a chain looped through it when not using it. Been that way for most of the time we've owned it. So if I begin to notice the 855's loader sagging when I take it off, I will have to revise how I stow it.