BX FEL REMOVED, 1RST TIME IN 1.5 YEARS!

[r0GuE]

I have no idea why I waited so long. It took me only 10 or 15 minutes (with a three year old "helping me",... probably 7 without). So off was no problem, but going back on was a bit tricky. It seemed that the "line up" was never quite right. But I just lowered it on and it wiggled itself in place. I did have to move the tractor forward a bit after the left side engage. The only real question I have is if there is a certain way you have to lower the loader on to the tractor. I moved it the wrong way once or twice and then I was worried that I was stressing the stand legs as I trial and errored my way in to reattaching the loader. Should I roll the bucket back or lower the bucket. Which way should I push the control lever, to engage the loader back on to the tractor.
Thanks,

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Rogue, as you can see, the FEL is pretty easy to take off an on but it does require a bit of practice to get all the motions down pat. That's exactly what I suggest you do...pick a day and repeatedly take it off and on, at least to the point just shy of disconnecting the hydo lines. Then go all the way, drive off and come back in to reinstall it. Try that a few times. You should have the hang of it fairly quickly.

BTW, I do roll the bucket to assist with some of the motions.

(Do be careful with that young one around...but you knew that already!)

 

[TresCrows]

I routinely remove and attach the loader sometimes several times in a single day. It is to heavy and tears up my ground if I leave it on except when I need it and it greatly reduces mowing manuverability. I can go on and off in a just a few minutes--it is a no brainer. J

 

[r0GuE]

I'm not saying it was really that hard, I guess I just think I moved the stick the wrong way when lowering it and so it took me a while to recover.

The three year old was really there to go for help in case I got myself hooribly mamed /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif... Kind of like Lassie!

 

[r0GuE]

Is there any concern of dust getting in to the system through the couplers during the disconnection of them. And then when reconnected, if the dust gets in, does the filter take care of that?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

That's why there are those little rubber covers on all the connectors. Always use them when the lines are not connected together.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

rogue,
When I detach the loader the last thing I do is tap the fel lift position lightly with the tractor in neutral. The tractor will back up and the bottom of the attachment arms are then canted out at the bottom. Then I unhook the hydraulics. Since the attachment points are controlled by the lift cylinders, when you go to re-attach the arms are out a little and they will adjust into position when you drive into the fel.
Gotta get to work. Hope this helps.
DaveL

 

[r0GuE]

True enough, but the covers are a little dusty themselves. Should I be washing them up before I disconect the loader?
Also when you drive in to the loader, do you drive in until you shove the loader a tad, to get it squared up?

 

[sandyc]

jbecker....
When I install my FEL I try to getin centered and drive up to where it almost touches......being a coward, I then keep the moter running and put the speed range lever in neutral and because I am on concrete I push the tractor into place....Maybe I'll get brave someday and drive the tractor into position!

 

[frank_f15]

had my b2400 2 years now , have never taken the bucket off, would feel naked without it. the mowing i do with it is field mowing and the wieght out front does not bother me. i just keep it low and go slow.' not sure if i aske before but i bought my tractor form rittenour in butler, u familiar with them?

 

[TresCrows]

It isn't just mowing. The tractor manuvers better and rides better with the FEL removed. Using the Herd spreader, the tine harrow, the aerator, pulling the trailer, running a sprayer and even brush hogging go better without the FEL attached--for me. Why are you guys so hesitent to remove something that was designed for exactly that--easy removal /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif? Whatever makes people happy /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif, after knocking over fences, tearing trees out by the roots, knocking the cr---p out of my house (no permenant damage that could not be fixed) /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gifI decided the FEL was best stored somewhere else other than on my tractor when it was not being used /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif. J

 

[hazmat]

Good to know I'm not the only one putting dents in the house & fence. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[TresCrows]

No, you aren't. There is a really nice farm house up the road that was recently remodled with additions and sold to new owners. It is on 20 acres of alfalfa. Anyway, passing the house the other day I noticed a chunk out of the new garage /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif. I also noticed nearby a shiney new NH tractor with FEL, probably a 24 horse size /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I think he just baptized his loader /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. J

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

I took an old desk top, 11/2 inch of solid oak, put 4-2 ½ wheels on it and store the loader on that. When it is time to take the loader off for summer grass cutting, I just take it off and put it on the dolly. When I need it, I just push the dolly to the tractor, hook up the hoses, move the FEL into the brackets, and away I go. Takes a few minutes. Storing the FEL easy to, I can move it around the shed to get to other things. I have dollies made out of 2 by 4 and wheels for all my attachments. Taking them on and off very easy and to move them around to get the 3 pt pins into place. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Regards

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Here is a picture of the one I made for the snowblower

 

[surfran]

Tom,

I am brand new at this stuff, but I gotta say I really like that idea. I think I will have to build one or two of those as well.

Thanks,

 

[Rick Jay]

TresCrows, Hazmat, et al:

O.K. Something's wrong here. I think you guys have tractors that are too big for your property. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I've yet to hit my house, or even my garage, with my B2910...and I'm on 2/3 acre. I haven't even hit the garage door frame with the ROPS yet! And yes, I've worked near the house many, many times. (I guess compared to most of you, I really can't get that far away from my house.)

Kinda funny...I was concerned that having such a large tractor on my postage stamp property would be a problem. Not yet. Although, I have had a few close calls with the backhoe...but nothing broken or destroyed.....yet. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Of course, the fact that I've only put 78 hours on her in 3 years means that you guys have many more opportunities. Ahhhh...seat time doth have its price.

~Rick

P.S. You will notice the extensive use of the word "yet" in my post. I know Mr. Murphy reads this forum too! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Hootie]

Do you have a px of the stand you made for the FEL?

Would like to see that.

 

[k8ny]

Rick Jay,
Well I have just the opposite situation: 5 acres and a BX2200 with FEL and 60" mower. Tres Crows is correct, the FEL is much too large, bulky and heavy for riding around fields and mowing. Maneuverability is also a problem with the FEL installed and you really have to take care when using the machine near the shed, house or cars in the driiveway (very difficult judge to the length of the FEL). One of the reasons I purchased the BX2200 with the 60" Kubbota belly mower was to be able to cut the grass quickly and efficiently. During the early Springtime or late Fall I will usually have the FEL installed while I still have the mower on the tractor. At these times I notice that I must proceed much slower in the fields due to FEL bounch and the possibility of damage to the unit(if I travel too quickly over uneven terrain). So that's the reason why I disconnect the FEL as soon as is practical for me. The machine is just more maneuverable with only the mower deck installed.

Bob

 

[Anonymous Poster]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( jbecker....
When I install my FEL I try to getin centered and drive up to where it almost touches......being a coward, I then keep the moter running and put the speed range lever in neutral and because I am on concrete I push the tractor into place....Maybe I'll get brave someday and drive the tractor into position! )</font>

You won't "hurt" your FEL by driving right up! I think you'll find that you'll be able to judge by eye the exact alignment, slide the machine up in low gear, turn it off, deal with the hoses, restart and put on the FEL. Once you have the hoses back on and the engine running, you can actually put the pins in from the seat! (Don't forget to deal with the legs before you drive off...<G>)