Box Blade

[MarkV]

Don’t think anyone has mentioned a rear scoop which was used for years before many tractors had FEL’s. They are not that expensive and would move gravel 200 yards faster than a box blade. You would still need to smooth it out with something though.

Might also see if any of the gravel haulers in the area have spreader trucks. They do not have to raise there beds to spread the gravel and they broadcast it in an even pattern as they run down a drive.

MarkV

 

[MarkV]

Don’t think anyone has mentioned a rear scoop which was used for years before many tractors had FEL’s. They are not that expensive and would move gravel 200 yards faster than a box blade. You would still need to smooth it out with something though.

Might also see if any of the gravel haulers in the area have spreader trucks. They do not have to raise there beds to spread the gravel and they broadcast it in an even pattern as they run down a drive.

MarkV

 

[daTeacha]

If it were me, which it obviously is not, I would be giving serious thought to limb removal. Trim it out for emergency vehicles then go shopping for a gravel supplier with a small truck.

Around here they typically have a couple different ones from oversize pickups to monsters that look like they escaped from an open pit mine. Find a supplier who will use a smaller truck. Have them put a 6x6 or something similar about 3 feet wide in the center of the bed at the tailgate. Chain the gate to open just a couple inches. Tailspread the gravel down the drive and you will find most of it lands in the tracks on the sides where you want it with very little in the center where the 6x6 kept it from coming out. It may take a couple of truckloads extra, but it will still be cheaper than buying a new toy for the tractor and a lot less work on your part.

 

[daTeacha]

If it were me, which it obviously is not, I would be giving serious thought to limb removal. Trim it out for emergency vehicles then go shopping for a gravel supplier with a small truck.

Around here they typically have a couple different ones from oversize pickups to monsters that look like they escaped from an open pit mine. Find a supplier who will use a smaller truck. Have them put a 6x6 or something similar about 3 feet wide in the center of the bed at the tailgate. Chain the gate to open just a couple inches. Tailspread the gravel down the drive and you will find most of it lands in the tracks on the sides where you want it with very little in the center where the 6x6 kept it from coming out. It may take a couple of truckloads extra, but it will still be cheaper than buying a new toy for the tractor and a lot less work on your part.

 

[GaryM]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The Schwans truck can get in and out without trouble /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif )</font>

Hey, as long as the Schwans truck can get there you've got no worries! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[GaryM]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The Schwans truck can get in and out without trouble /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif )</font>

Hey, as long as the Schwans truck can get there you've got no worries! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Doc_Bob]

If the Schwan truck can get in, that is all that matters! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Bob

 

[Doc_Bob]

If the Schwan truck can get in, that is all that matters! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Bob

 

[nobody]

Amen on the Schwans truck /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. Talked to my dealer again yesterday and he will put the 7308 on for $3800 and no interest. Think I might just go that way. Never used a FEL before but every one says they are very handy. That way I can save my trees.

 

[nobody]

Amen on the Schwans truck /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. Talked to my dealer again yesterday and he will put the 7308 on for $3800 and no interest. Think I might just go that way. Never used a FEL before but every one says they are very handy. That way I can save my trees.

 

[daTeacha]

An FEL is like a pickup -- once you have one you will wonder how you lived without it. READ a lot here about stability before you get nuts with it. You will want some rear counterweight, either a ballast box, loaded tires, wheel weights, or whatever. Your dealer will happily sell you a ballast box along with the FEL and you can fill it with all kinds of heavy stuff.

I carry a 900 lb lump of concrete behind the DX29, and really need to get either wheel weights or load the tires. Quartering angles on hills, either up or down, can be treacherous, even with a rear weight, unless you add weight to the wheels, too. I lifted a rear wheel last night with the front of the tractor uphill while doing some loader work. Be careful with that thing!

 

[daTeacha]

An FEL is like a pickup -- once you have one you will wonder how you lived without it. READ a lot here about stability before you get nuts with it. You will want some rear counterweight, either a ballast box, loaded tires, wheel weights, or whatever. Your dealer will happily sell you a ballast box along with the FEL and you can fill it with all kinds of heavy stuff.

I carry a 900 lb lump of concrete behind the DX29, and really need to get either wheel weights or load the tires. Quartering angles on hills, either up or down, can be treacherous, even with a rear weight, unless you add weight to the wheels, too. I lifted a rear wheel last night with the front of the tractor uphill while doing some loader work. Be careful with that thing!

 

[nobody]

Thanks for the advice. One of the reasons I have been leary about getting the FEL (besides the cost) is some of the stories I have read or heard about how dangerous they can be. I have never used one and most of my property is hill side so that is a concern. I guess it is like all things just respect it and take it easy. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[nobody]

Thanks for the advice. One of the reasons I have been leary about getting the FEL (besides the cost) is some of the stories I have read or heard about how dangerous they can be. I have never used one and most of my property is hill side so that is a concern. I guess it is like all things just respect it and take it easy. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[DiskDoctr]

nobody,

You can use the FEL to carry or doze the gravel. Obviously, you scoop to carry a bucket.

To doze (as in push like a bull dozer), roll your bucket so the bottom is just shy of vertical and keep it a few inches off the ground, more or less as needed and push. The more vertical, the less aggressif the tendancy to dig in.

One CAUTION: If you roll the bucket all the way past vertical to the limit of the cylinders, you risk bending your linkage/cylinders, especially on a CUT.

The Box Blade will definitely be a major help. A hydraulic top tilt is EXTREMELY useful with a box blade. Tilt BB forward, it digs in more. Tilt BB back, more spread, almost like a landscape rake.

And fill those rear tires if getting a FEL! Keep your loaded bucket as low to the ground as practical for as much of the time as possible.

Lift/load with the FEL going uphill if not level. Makes gravity work for you and more stable. Be sure to load the bucket evenly left/right for stability.

Those are the quickies" /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

-JC

 

[DiskDoctr]

nobody,

You can use the FEL to carry or doze the gravel. Obviously, you scoop to carry a bucket.

To doze (as in push like a bull dozer), roll your bucket so the bottom is just shy of vertical and keep it a few inches off the ground, more or less as needed and push. The more vertical, the less aggressif the tendancy to dig in.

One CAUTION: If you roll the bucket all the way past vertical to the limit of the cylinders, you risk bending your linkage/cylinders, especially on a CUT.

The Box Blade will definitely be a major help. A hydraulic top tilt is EXTREMELY useful with a box blade. Tilt BB forward, it digs in more. Tilt BB back, more spread, almost like a landscape rake.

And fill those rear tires if getting a FEL! Keep your loaded bucket as low to the ground as practical for as much of the time as possible.

Lift/load with the FEL going uphill if not level. Makes gravity work for you and more stable. Be sure to load the bucket evenly left/right for stability.

Those are the quickies" /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

-JC

 

[nobody]

Thanks diskdoc... i have the FEL ordered. It should be here and on in the next week or so. I guess, like anything else I will have to"work" with it to learn. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Everyone tells me there will be so many uses I will find for it.

 

[nobody]

Thanks diskdoc... i have the FEL ordered. It should be here and on in the next week or so. I guess, like anything else I will have to"work" with it to learn. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Everyone tells me there will be so many uses I will find for it.

 

[DiskDoctr]

Nobody,

I like the windshield washer fluid for filling the rear tires. Do a quick search and you'll find lots of threads on filling tires.

I also recommend a rear implement mounted all the time with a FEL.

Congrats on the FEL. You'll really like it. Learn to use the level guide rod, it helps a lot!

-JC

 

[DiskDoctr]

Nobody,

I like the windshield washer fluid for filling the rear tires. Do a quick search and you'll find lots of threads on filling tires.

I also recommend a rear implement mounted all the time with a FEL.

Congrats on the FEL. You'll really like it. Learn to use the level guide rod, it helps a lot!

-JC