scooping load into fel bucket

[ugabulldog]

I have watched videos when you have a big pile the technique is go into bottom of pile with bucket level go forward and raise bucket when tractor starts to stall, curl up, raise curl repeat. I have some small piles of gravel I need to move that are only 1-2 ft in height so this doesn't work so well. What is the best technique, please be as detailed as possible including when to stop tractor during process, and also do I need to back up and make several approaches to get a semi full bucket? Thanks

 

[newbury]

If the piles are too small to easily scoop with the FEL bucket use a manual scoop shovel to put the material in the bucket.

 

[MossRoad]

I have watched videos when you have a big pile the technique is go into bottom of pile with bucket level go forward and raise bucket when tractor starts to stall, curl up, raise curl repeat. I have some small piles of gravel I need to move that are only 1-2 ft in height so this doesn't work so well. What is the best technique, please be as detailed as possible including when to stop tractor during process, and also do I need to back up and make several approaches to get a semi full bucket? Thanks

Only 1-2' high isn't very high. I'd try it with the bucket level on the ground in front of the pile. Push forward into the pile keeping the bucket level on the ground. A little more than half the pile will load into the bucket before it starts pushing the pile instead of it going into the bucket. At that point, stop. Curl the bucket back all the way to get the gravel to the back of the bucket. Then repeat until most of the gravel is in the bucket. Eventually, you'll end up with a long line of gravel instead of a pile. Move 90 degrees if possible and come at the pile from the skinny ends. Again, repeat at each skinny end until most of it is in the bucket.

Eventually, it becomes a no gain situation, and at that point, as mentioned, you'll have to shovel by hand or scoop some of the dirt the gravel is sitting on (if it's not on a solid surface).

 

[MossRoad]

Do you have 4-WD engaged when doing Loader work?

For a 1' pile of gravel and a 5000# tractor?

 

[WranglerX]

If the piles are too small to easily scoop with the FEL bucket use a manual scoop shovel to put the material in the bucket.

Yeah, and one would think a large rock would be easy too, just sneak up on rock, work bucket under, and curl..... NOPE... Every blinking fair to large rock I have moved I had to assist it into bucket....

Dale

 

[4570Man]

I usually push the pile together to make it bigger. And if you’re sure there’s no obstructions to hang up on I find a bit of speed helps. There’s no getting around shoveling up the last little bit.

 

[4get gto]

Yeah, and one would think a large rock would be easy too, just sneak up on rock, work bucket under, and curl..... NOPE... Every blinking fair to large rock I have moved I had to assist it into bucket....

Dale

Been there...! When I'm doing that I alway look around and make sure no one is watching...

 

[falfrenzy]

I have watched videos when you have a big pile the technique is go into bottom of pile with bucket level go forward and raise bucket when tractor starts to stall, curl up, raise curl repeat. I have some small piles of gravel I need to move that are only 1-2 ft in height so this doesn't work so well. What is the best technique, please be as detailed as possible including when to stop tractor during process, and also do I need to back up and make several approaches to get a semi full bucket? Thanks

If you keep rock on hand for driveway/road patching invest in some railroad ties or cinderblocks to make a U shape a foot high to be able to collect most of your rock with your FEL.

8-10 feet wide would be ideal so a dump truck can unload into it. Go behind any highway department or landscape company and you'll see this on a larger scale.

 

[kthompson]

Been there...! When I'm doing that I alway look around and make sure no one is watching...

Fat brother in law on back side of the rock helps...been operator and fat brother in law.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I once found a good book at the library about running a TLB. You can chase stuff around all day long with a FEL. You need back up. No, not a Police strategy. I like to think of running a loader as eating off a plate. You can use speed when getting a wayward pea onto a spoon, but you don't have that luxury with a tractor. Also, now try getting that pea when you really can't see, just guestimating. It's where skid steers definitely have an edge.

 

[npalen]

This is why I can't forget about someday having a 4in1 bucket.

 

[MossRoad]

I once found a good book at the library about running a TLB. ...

I bought a bunch of repair, maintenance and operator's manuals for our old IH2500b back in the early 90's. The operator's manual had a really good tutorial for loader and backhoe work. Really nice for someone like me that hadn't used one before that purchase.

 

[ugabulldog]

I know pile isn't very big, it is gravel from driveway in spots that had too much, can't really combine piles and they are too far away, and piles are big enough where shoveling is a pain, although I have done some shoveling towards to end.

 

[MossRoad]

I know pile isn't very big, it is gravel from driveway in spots that had too much, can't really combine piles and they are too far away, and piles are big enough where shoveling is a pain, although I have done some shoveling towards to end.

If it's an existing pile of gravel on an existing gravel drive, why not just scoop down under the pile and pick it up. Then tip the bucket back all the way and use the weight in the bucket to back-drag the ridge that'll form on the far side of the hole into the hole with the rear of the bucket?

 

[bcp]

I once found a good book at the library about running a TLB. You can chase stuff around all day long with a FEL. You need back up. No, not a Police strategy. I like to think of running a loader as eating off a plate. You can use speed when getting a wayward pea onto a spoon, but you don't have that luxury with a tractor. Also, now try getting that pea when you really can't see, just guestimating. It's where skid steers definitely have an edge.

Somebody had it figured out:

"I eat my peas with honey;
I've done it all my life.
It makes the peas taste funny,
But it keeps them on the knife."

Bruce

 

[4570Man]

If it's an existing pile of gravel on an existing gravel drive, why not just scoop down under the pile and pick it up. Then tip the bucket back all the way and use the weight in the bucket to back-drag the ridge that'll form on the far side of the hole into the hole with the rear of the bucket?

If I’m scooping dirt off dirt sometimes I’ll drop the bucket a little deeper into the original dirt and then back drag the loose dirt back to fill in the low spot I just dug. I use the same tactic if I have to meet two ditches digging from opposite directions.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have yet to see, like a full length rubber flapper at the edge of a bucket. Kind of like the thing for getting gravel off your lawn at the end of a string trimmer.

 

[Thomas]

Flat bucket push in what you can than flat shovel for clean up...easier and faster.

 

[k0ua]

One thing that can help a bit when the pile gets too small is to backdrag the pile into a "line" In other words, make a line at least 6 feet long if you can and say a foot wide or less. Then aim the "line" in the middle of a flat bucket, and go at a fairly brisk pace and when you get to the end of the "line" curl and lift. The idea of the line is to offer some increasing resistance as you start scooping. After you have done that it is time to get out the scoop shovel and the rake/broom.

 

[npalen]

Maybe need to try a piece of light sheet metal, I'm thinking 16ga max, with ends folded up 90 degrees and would clamp in the bucket. I'm thinking it would more readily slide under the pile rather than pushing it.
Make sense?