PHPaul
Platinum Member
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Ah. Thanks.
FEL and 4WD - How necessary?
- Thread starter mthornton
- Start date
- Views: 13488
rsallen
Platinum Member
You'll find the FEL worth more than it's weight in the end.
Will you use it all the time or for everything? No. But you'll wish far too many times you had one if you don't have it. It's a huge, huge labor saving tool.
Likewise I wouldn't do without 4 wheel.
Back in the, ahem good old days, the ranch's four wheel drive was called 'the Cat'. Uh, short for Caterpillar, a cute little monster of a six cyl. attached to a pair of 12 or 14 foot print cleated tracks.
We did everything by hand that a FEL could've done in less than half the time.
And 4 wheel drive many times would have saved us from walking back to the other end of the ranch to fire up the Cat.
4 wheel drive is no longer exotic and FEL's are reasonably priced.
Don't settle for less.
Will you use it all the time or for everything? No. But you'll wish far too many times you had one if you don't have it. It's a huge, huge labor saving tool.
Likewise I wouldn't do without 4 wheel.
Back in the, ahem good old days, the ranch's four wheel drive was called 'the Cat'. Uh, short for Caterpillar, a cute little monster of a six cyl. attached to a pair of 12 or 14 foot print cleated tracks.
We did everything by hand that a FEL could've done in less than half the time.
And 4 wheel drive many times would have saved us from walking back to the other end of the ranch to fire up the Cat.
4 wheel drive is no longer exotic and FEL's are reasonably priced.
Don't settle for less.
Dr_Zinj
Veteran Member
I've been moving a lot of boulders that the FEL can't pick up, but I can get under. I have to use 4 wheel drive to have enough traction to move some of them as the weight shifts to the front instead of the back.
LMan1967
Gold Member
Yes and yes. The FEL is very important, and I would have already been stuck numerous times on my property without 4WD. I would consider both to be required items in any new tractor purchase.
txdon
Super Star Member
Even with 4WD you can get stuck that is when you use the FEL to help you get unstuck by picking the front of your tractor up and pushing it back out of the stuck ruts.
coobie
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IMHO 4X4 is a must with the work that you are doing.FEL sure comes in handy unless you want to break your back.
sd455dan
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Didn't see it mentioned -but if you heat with firewood, the advantages offered by a loader equipped 4x4 tractor are numerous... especially if you add a grapple
just more reasons to get both tractor options
Good Luck in your search
just more reasons to get both tractor options
Good Luck in your search
It sounds as if most of the responses here advocate using the 4WD in unison with the FEL for digging, hauling loaded buckets, pushing and making sharp turns.
Is there any caution advised for doing damage to the 4 WD system, used in this manner?
Is there any caution advised for doing damage to the 4 WD system, used in this manner?
OP
mthornton
New member
Wow! Thanks for the responses guys! I can safely say that I will be holding out for FEL AND 4WD. I think I knew this already, but your responses leave no doubt. The search continues....
dragoneggs
Super Star Member
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That a boy! You will not be sorry!!! :thumbsup: