jjp8182
Platinum Member
Yep, just need to tilt them forward/down a bit - which yes, may increase the risk to the curl cylinders a bit since they wouldn't be fully retracted, but it's a tractor and using the FEL for anything more than ripping an inch or two into the ground (and only while driving in a straight line) probably isn't the best use for the FEL. Seeing the loader arms even temporarily flex to the left or right isn't exactly what I'd call a fun experience (though it can be quite memorable) -- which is something that can happen if/when one side hits an underground object that doesn't want to move or the unmovable object is diagonal to the driving path.
Personally I prefer using the rippers on my box blade for dislodging buried roots, some types of stumps (like cedars and other trees with shallow, but wide spreading roots), semi-buried rocks, and overgrown (e.g. >5ft. tall) weeds/vegetation that can be backed over (completely or partially). While taking that box blade approach involves a second implement, the box blade also leverages the tractor's design strengths and provides ballast for loader operations. It also makes for easy windrowing of the roots/vegetation, after which those windrows can be raked/scooped up and hauled off in large volume with the grapple - and by large volume I mean packed in tight enough the grapple lid may not fully close, but is just providing enough clamping pressure to keep the load from spilling. This sort of scooping/hauling is where the L-bottom style can be of greater help since tipping the grapple back can help cradle more of the load.
On a side note: it can actually be an entertaining (yet disturbing) experience to use that method to such effect that the grapple is filled full enough of still green weeds/vegetation to start making the back of the tractor feel light.
The short-tine root rake grapples can also do all of this as well, but they usually don't have that tooth length/angle to help cradle a large/oversized load as much -- though whichever type of grapple is used sufficient ballast will still be needed on the rear.
Can't say that I thought/knew of all of this prior to buying a grapple, but after hitting roots that have brought the tractor to an immediate and total dead stop (on a few different occasions) I'm not sure I'd ever want to use the FEL on a tractor for primary root removal -- unless *perhaps* I absolutely knew what was buried under ground and where any large roots/pipes/rocks were.
Those large buried objects that don't move easily are also a very good reason to keep the working speeds LOW.
