fel performance

[Anonymous Poster]

I have a TC25D with a FEL and turf tires. I have been trying to dig up a 25 x 40 foot fine stone bed that used to be a swing set area. The stone has a little bit of dirt mixed in and the whole mix is a little wet. I am sure the turf tires don't help, but I can't seem to dig it up very well. The tires start to slip. I run the loader in the "float" mode and just use the bucket tilt control to govern how much of a bit I take. Still no luck. Maybe I'm expecting too much??

 

[Bird]

kpk, front end loaders are best at picking up loose material from a pile (but of course are used for just about everything). Generally speaking, on compact tractors, they are not real good for digging, for the very reasons you mentioned. Your problem is quite normal. However, adding a toothbar to the bucket will greatly increase its digging ability. Other alternatives are to plow or till the ground first, then scoop it up with the FEL, or use a box blade with scarifiers (or ripper teeth) to loosen it up first. And of course, when you just about reach the limits of your traction, very slowly curling the bucket can help, but that's tough to learn to do right.

Bird

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks for the input. Can I get the tooth bar from NH? I have the heavy duty bucket on a 7308 loader which has the removeable bolt on edge.

 

[Bird]

kpk, I would think any tractor dealer would be able to get you a bolt on toothbar. Carver Equipment advertises on this site and has them. http://www.ssbtractor.com advertises on the Internet. Prices do vary. Go to the "search" function and do a search on "toothbar" on this site and you'll find a lot of additional information.

Bird

 

[DVerbarg]

kpk,

You can get a toothbar from NewHolland. I have one from NH on my TC40D and it helped greatly with the digging capability but did not make up for a lack of experience. After much practice I have learned the capabilities/limitations and when digging areas like you mentioned use a combination of both a box with scarifier teeth (like Bird mentioned) and the FEL with toothbar. My next purchase is the bolt-on cutting edge. The edge on my bucket is showing some signs of wear and I've just started having fun /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif.

DaveV

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>I run the loader in the "float" mode ...</font color=blue>

kpk,

It's a given...I agree with everything Bird said... Bird not only has experience...but more importantly common horse sense.../w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif/w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

Now for my 2 cents.../w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Don't use float mode when trying to dig...

It will only do what the "name" float implies...the bucket will float up and down {no upward or downward hydraulic pressure} over the contours of the ground. You'd normally use "float" for backgrading, snow removal, etc. using the weight of the bucket and loader arms and no hydraulic pressure.

Basically, use a low range,{lots of torque}, level bucket, going forward, tilt bucket to take a small bite {1-3 inches},curl back the bucket to level...and skim/peel the surface...

Like Bird says, you develop a technique after a little practice and you'll get the "knack of it".

Remember, with most compact tractors use the hydraulic pressure of the loader to your advantage and take "small" manageable bites of surface.../w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

 

[JATO_RaT]

John, I agree with your comment about float use. I find that I rarely use float. When you dig with the loader, float will also more easily cause your tractor to stall or spin its wheels when you have an aggresive "bite" or bucket angle since it tends to pull the loader down unemcumbered by the hydraulic limits. It takes very little angle on the front bucket to get into the ground. Hard material can be next to impossible to break through without some extra help. As mentioned a toothbar is great. Soaking hard dirt works wonders and makes it much easier on equipment. Lastly, when I use my loader to dig, I rely heavily on the bucket roll for much of my power to break loose soil. I almost always use a very low speed for digging. It limits my slip and gives me the push and control I need since more often then not, Im looking for a buried pipe. Plus, its easier on the tractor. Rat...

 

[Bird]

Yep, I kinda overlooked that part; I don't ever use the float position to dig; in fact I hardly use it for anything except to back drag the bucket to smooth or level dirt.

Bird

 

[DVerbarg]

I agree with not using float while digging. When I first tried to use float when digging I found that the FEL would float down and the front wheels would raise off the ground thus losing the benefit of 4wd. Digging with a FEL is definitely a developed art and now while driving down the road I get distracted by road construction workers as I try to see how they are doing what they are doing. I now have a much greater appreciation for heavy equipment operators.

DaveV

 

[JohnT]

Just had to add my 2 cents worth on this subject. First let me qualify. I live in Rock county Wisconsin. Moved here 1 1/2 years ago. Since owning my TC45D, I have learned why they call it Rock county. In the last 2 weeks I have dug up 5 rocks (more like boulders) within 200 feet from my house. It all started because I was tired of these small flat rocks occasionally catching a blade while mowing the grass. In each case thought my trusty shovel would make short work of these pests. The smallest one was 3' x 4'. The largest was 3' x 6'. What I couldn't lift the TC45D slid across the ground effortlessly. All-in-all, I have learned how to dig deep using only my FEL. I do have a 700lb Woods box scraper hanging off the back that makes backing filling the hole a snap. Small bites, low gear, 2000 RPM, and coordinated bucket movement does get the job done. Hard work has never been soooo much fun!!!!