BX 2 step! (whoa)

r0GuE · Aug 2, 2001

I've spent the last two evenings moving 10' to 20' branches out of my yard and accross the street to dump over my neighbors hill in to the woods. The BX FEL is a marvel. I love it. When I reached the bottom of the pile of brush, there was nothing left but small sticks mixed with bush material and dirt. I took a bucket full and started down the 15 degree slope to the woods. This time however the tractor seemed to want to run away. Strange I thought that the HST isn't holding back the tractor this time when it has all the other times. I applied some brakes with some success. Then I looked back to see that as I descended the hill, my rear tires weren't turning.
Oh boy! I lowered the bucket and turned the wheel in to the lean slightly. Whew. Gotta get a counterweight!
Well, that's it, just figured I'd fess up since I scolded some other cat for doing the same thing. I guess the first few hours are going to involve some learning. I also just got a Husky 350 and trimmed out some branches. I'm scared of that thing man. It's got death and dismemberment written all over it!

Rogue

woodstock · Aug 2, 2001

lock n load

You must not have been in 4X4. I've found it is much safer descending and much safer over all with FEL work if you're in 4X4.
My 25 plus years experience with numerous truck 4X4s also finds 4X4 components live longer (don't bind or seize) when used regularly.

The only time I'm not in 4X4 is on pavement and the lawn.
All other time its lock n load.

Winnipeg, Manitoba

2001 BX2200 (20 hrs) All Kubota FEL,Tiller, box blade, blower w/elec shute, 60 mid mt deck, Ag tires.
Grey market B7000 w/Tiller (120 hrs)

glennmac · Aug 3, 2001

Rogue,

On hills, if you have an unbalanced tractor, the basic safety rule is to keep the heavy end on the uphill side. So, if you are loader heavy and want to go down a hill, keep the loader on the uphill side and back down (if it is otherwise safe to do so). Conversely, if you were back heavy and want to go up a hill, keep the back of the tractor pointed uphill and back up the hill. If your tractor were perfectly balanced front-to-back, it would not matter which way you went up or down. The center of gravity shifts would be exactly the same. So, yes, balance your tractor especially when driving hills.

As to chainsawing at which I am a novice, I followed advice here and invested in kevlar chainsaw chaps, chainsaw gloves, and a helmet with facemask. Better to look like a geek than a cripple.

Anonymous Poster · Aug 3, 2001

I have to disagree.

I've always thought the geeks were the guys with the woodchips flying into their unprotected faces...

It isn't like building something and hitting your thumb and saying ow or ^%#%#%#$%^ when you slip with the chain saw you're too late for anything but the ER.

To a novice I'd add turning the saw off when you are moving. Using a newer saw that has an automatic brake when the saw kicks back, using a low kickback chain. Know that downed trees can be EXTREMELY dangerous. Have you cut a branch on a downed tree yet without thinking which way it's going to snap yet? If I have any doubt on any log of any size I chain it to the loader, slows down the movement when it's got to throw the tractor around too! Oh and using a small saw works great as if it does kickback it's like stopping a kitten, the bigger ones are like trying to hang on to a big DOG. Some guys say the big saws and long blades allow you to stay away from the branch/log. What I want is a 4 foot bar for my baby saw! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif Cutting tree's is a whole other subject, probably someone smarter then I has address it, or get some books or a friend with experience. I once sat and read all kinds of state accident reports from the logging and construction equipment industries in my state. Scary stuff. The best way to cut a tree? Use a tractor or excavator that weights about 10+ times what the tree does!

I've managed to survive 20 years of working with a chainsaw, of course I look like a combination of a spaceman and a hockey goalie when I go out in the woods...

del

skent · Aug 3, 2001

Rogue, you learned a VERY important lesson. Not only do the back tires make you go. . . .but they also control your ability to stop. I can only repeat what others have written here and in your operators book over and over and over........ ballast ballast ballast. Even in 4WD you would have been seriously de-stabilized without ballast in the back. If you got lots'o weight on the front, you need to keep the back down. Even an empty loader bucket on a 'nominal' down grade can reduce your traction enough to lose control. You were lucky this time. . . . .

Steve

scruffy · Aug 3, 2001

Rogue, t'iz the perfect reason to go buy that nice, new, heavy box blade! That way, you will have the rear ballast, (and a new toy) making it immenantly safer for yourself.
Have fun shopping!