FEL Set Up Questions

[swmich42]

Looking at finally getting a FEL for my 4700, and wanted to request some insight on bucket choices.

The Specific job that will finally bring me the ability to purchase the FEL is a seawall project, where I will need to place 18"-30" boulders along a 100' shoreline.

Will a traditional bucket work for this task, or would I require one of the "foundry" buckets and or "rock" buckets to do this job?

I will later use this front end loader to move dirt, brush, logs, small tree's, etc. Since I have never owned a FEL for my 4700, I need this forum's knowledge to help me in choosing what would be best to go with.

 

[nybirdman]

I would purchase the heavy duty factory bucket and add a bucket grapple and a tooth bar.Bucket grapple rather than a full grapple...saves some money and weight.Mine is a Green's Machine bucket grapple,works very well for moving rocks and brush,logs etc.With this set-up you can still do dirt work with out changing attachments.

 

[nickel plate]

Depending on how much your tractor is pre-equipped for the addition of an FEL, (hydraulics,joystick controls, docking brackets, etc.) is where you need to start your search. Unless you are planning to hook and chain the seawall rip rap a rock or two at a time (you don't mention the size of the rocks) you should look seriously at a hydraulic grapple for a 6' loader bucket. Your JD 4700 with 45/48 hp should easily handle the work you have mentioned.
My grapple can be easily removed or just left on the standard 72" NH TC40 bucket for straight dirt work.

 

[jake98]

30" boulders can get pretty heavy.. something like this: Skid Steer Stump Grapple
might make them easy to pick and set. You'll need some big ballast on the back too. :thumbsup:
Do you have your rear remotes installed yet?

 

[jake98]

Will a traditional bucket work for this task,

Short answer..No. An excavator with a thumb is what you really need, but far be it from me to tell you not to get a loader with a grapple to do the job. I have their 5' root grapple, and picking rocks is not it's strong point, the width is the enemy.

 

[swmich42]

My 4700 is pre-plumbed for a FEL; with Quick-connects, and joystick. I will be moving 18-30" boulders. Another nieghbor a few doors down created a Boulder Sea Wall, using a BobCat.

 

[swmich42]

Depending on how much your tractor is pre-equipped for the addition of an FEL, (hydraulics,joystick controls, docking brackets, etc.) is where you need to start your search. Unless you are planning to hook and chain the seawall rip rap a rock or two at a time (you don't mention the size of the rocks) you should look seriously at a hydraulic grapple for a 6' loader bucket. Your JD 4700 with 45/48 hp should easily handle the work you have mentioned.
My grapple can be easily removed or just left on the standard 72" NH TC40 bucket for straight dirt work.

That Bucket mounted grapple looks very nice. Where did you find it, (brand) and if you don't mind me asking, what was the approx. Cost? Appears the bucket is specifically contructed to accept that grapple.

 

[nickel plate]

That Bucket mounted grapple looks very nice. Where did you find it, (brand) and if you don't mind me asking, what was the approx. Cost? Appears the bucket is specifically contructed to accept that grapple.

Hello swmich42,
My grapple is 24" wide and there is a 36" wide similar model also available from guess where? Right in your own back yard-MICHIGAN! Lucky me-I had to pay for a 2500 mile shipping ride out here in California.
To the contrary, the grapple was autocad designed for my existing NH TC40 6' FEL bucket and after lighting it off last week for the first time, it now has a name: WILD CHILD, it's one HD unit! The builder is MIE, Michigan Iron and Equipment Co., a sponser on this site. See the prices on their website and look up "Find New Posts By Nickel Plate" or look back to around 4/22/2011 in the "Attachments" section of TBN for the start of my four part grapple installation series entitled, "FEL Grapple Bucket Installation". It's a pretty good read for guys like me that have had no hydraulic install experience before jumping off the grapple cliff..........

 

[k0ua]

I move 30 inch rock all the time with my L3400HST with the standard bucket, and can load several 18 inchers at a time, I dont have a bucket grapple, (maybe later). Would be a lot faster with a bucket grapple, the way I do it is usually with a "groundman" usually the wife, out there to flip them in the bucket, or on the really big ones, have to chain them in the bucket. A lot of the time I can get the lip of the bucket under them without help and "toss" them and with a hydro tractor rapidly get up under them while they are flipped up. It just depends on the terrain they are setting on. It is kinda hard to describe, but when you have done it a few hundred times, it gets a lot easier:laughing:. the wife and I move several Sunday morning between rain showers. Rocks we have here, Dirt we have to buy. Just remember with those big hairy rocks, keep that bucket nearly scraping the ground unless on the level or stopped, and go slow, slooow. and lots of ballast on the back, That is the key to keeping the shiny side up.:thumbsup:

James K0UA

 

[countrybumpkin]

Just curios what type of bucket your neighbor used on his Bobcat when he built his? I would get a loader with the SSQA style, that way you could always rent , borrow, or buy a specific bucket or attachment to do a specific job better.