FEL -- now we have 16'+ lift height
- Thread starter ecoslik
- Start date
- Views: 5916
As a former iron worker foreman I think I say, 
As a weekend warrior that does many jobs that should take multiple helpers but I usually do it myself I say, :thumbsup:
Suggestions if I may (and you may have already thought of them). First, always maneuver the tractor into position with the load as low to the ground as possible, then lift. Second, I think I would have made the extension mount closer to the fork pivot point instead of the end of the forks to reduce the effect the load has on the tractor & bucket. Third, a chain hoist or wench with a pulley at the top of the extension would allow more precise up & down movement of the load (much less chance of suddenly "dumping the load" by accidental moving the bucket control). My final suggestion I'll make, when you have the tractor in position, lower the box blade to the ground to act as an outrigger.
As a weekend warrior that does many jobs that should take multiple helpers but I usually do it myself I say, :thumbsup:
Suggestions if I may (and you may have already thought of them). First, always maneuver the tractor into position with the load as low to the ground as possible, then lift. Second, I think I would have made the extension mount closer to the fork pivot point instead of the end of the forks to reduce the effect the load has on the tractor & bucket. Third, a chain hoist or wench with a pulley at the top of the extension would allow more precise up & down movement of the load (much less chance of suddenly "dumping the load" by accidental moving the bucket control). My final suggestion I'll make, when you have the tractor in position, lower the box blade to the ground to act as an outrigger.
bitseeker
Silver Member
As a new employee of a solid-rocket builder I was on a crew cleaning the clevis joint of a Titan booster segment (10' diameter, 10' tall, 50 tons) in a test bay before assembly. As safety engineer stopped work to check if the trichlorethelene (sp?) solvent we were using was a risk for the propellent. It was OK. An old hand noted that it was strange that we were "allowed" to work under the mobile-crane-suspended load.
On the other hand, a friend who was checking tool clearance against a part chucked in a lathe jogged the switch to turn the part a little. The OSHA chuck-key interlock was disabled. The key killed him when it went through his skull.
On the other hand, a friend who was checking tool clearance against a part chucked in a lathe jogged the switch to turn the part a little. The OSHA chuck-key interlock was disabled. The key killed him when it went through his skull.
OP
ecoslik
Silver Member
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2010
- Messages
- 131
- Location
- Texas on (hobby) horse ranch
- Tractor
- Kubota L5740 HST with LA854 loader and QA, top and tilt, 1 front and 3 rear remotes, foamed rear tires
Thank you for suggestions. I will apply several that have been offered.
It is amazing how much safety is a common concern. I am well schooled in the nature of accidents. I have been humbled and hurt many times. I would have been upset for anyone to have been hurt or to have damaged the tractor. We conducted several tests to establish that we had acceptable margins. I am glad that Murphy did not help us.
It is amazing how much safety is a common concern. I am well schooled in the nature of accidents. I have been humbled and hurt many times. I would have been upset for anyone to have been hurt or to have damaged the tractor. We conducted several tests to establish that we had acceptable margins. I am glad that Murphy did not help us.
varmint
Elite Member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2003
- Messages
- 2,572
- Location
- Northern Maryland
- Tractor
- Kubota B8200, then a Kubota L3130 HST, now a Kubota L3400 HST
The idea of OSHA-created problems certainly has plenty of examples, but on the other hand, I have to support the concept of OSHA, for this reason (and some others I won't go into): In the 60's, when I was working as a construction coordinator for a big ten university, we had guys spraying epoxy wall paint (many gallons) in enclosed spaces... basement lab rooms without any ventilation, since they were still under construction. There was no OSHA, and the contractor didn't want to bother with respirators, so he had his guys just wrap bandanas over their faces and go at it. I couldn't handle more than a minute or so in these spaces, even after they were finished with their spraying. After an hour or two of painting, they would stagger out into daylight and fresh air, and use rags and lacquer thinner to wipe the overspray off their bare skin, like around their eyes... OSHA requirements, had they existed, might have added several years to the lives of some of these guys. Sure, they could have refused to do the work, but it was a "good" job otherwise. Like much government, a little OSHA can be a good thing, but too much isn't.
OP
ecoslik
Silver Member
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2010
- Messages
- 131
- Location
- Texas on (hobby) horse ranch
- Tractor
- Kubota L5740 HST with LA854 loader and QA, top and tilt, 1 front and 3 rear remotes, foamed rear tires
Did anyone see those LOOOOONG, heavy I-beams being set at 16'-20' A.F.F. with a Kubota FEL with a lift that maxes out at 11'.
Maybe a lil'juvenile to say it this way, but yo! That's what I'm talking about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :laughing:
I swear I've done similar manually, on tippy toes, on a 12' ladder with one hand tied behind my back. And now ... I have a Kubota with a FEL, hydraulics, and the project is complete and my back is still in good shape.
Maybe a lil'juvenile to say it this way, but yo! That's what I'm talking about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :laughing:
I swear I've done similar manually, on tippy toes, on a 12' ladder with one hand tied behind my back. And now ... I have a Kubota with a FEL, hydraulics, and the project is complete and my back is still in good shape.
Firefighter Kubota
Platinum Member
Bet you wouldn't be laughing if you had killed someone would ya
Na, The Ex wife was no where to be seen...