FEL won't lift tractor?

toolman · May 24, 2002

FEL won\'t lift tractor?

I just recieved my TC29D with a 72" rear dischrge mmm and FEL earlier this week. When the dealer showed me how to take the MMM of he raised the tractor up with the FEL. He did not actually remove the mower but walked me through it. Seemed easy enought at the time. I have since taken my mower off using this method. But when i went to put it back on I could not get the FEL to raise the front wheels off the ground. I kept trying and eventually it lifted the front end but not enough to get the deck under the wheels. After a lot of four letter adjetives i managed to get the deck on. I have since tried on a couple of ocasions to raise the front of the tractor with the FEL and it hasn't worked. I get some down pressure, in that the front end starts to move a little and stops. I am able to move dirt etc. I am hoping i am doing something wrong. I have tried doing this with the tractor both in Neutral and in Gear do knot know which the proper way to do it. (Hydrostatic transmision) Any insight would be appreciated.

knucklehead · May 24, 2002

Re: FEL won\'t lift tractor?

Toolman

Are you using the loader arms to try to lift the tractor? Assuming you are, and the hydraulics are O.K., use the bucket by setting it down and rolling it forward (dumping). The two sets of cylinders are similar in size, but the leverage is greater for the bucket cylinders.

That's why the digging force of a backhoe bucket, or the breakout force of a loader bucket, is always way higher than the digging force of the 'hoe dipperstick or the lift capacity of the loader.

If you've ever stuck a pry bar too far under something, and tried to lift it, you know how your loader lift arms feel. It's either that or a bouyancy problem /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

Please tell us you're putting two rugged jack stands somewhere solid and safe. Taking mowers off is a drag (literally) beause all the good places to put stands are in the way, sometimes. Just think about someone knocking into the loader controls while you've got your arm under there.

Mark in ME

Anonymous Poster · May 24, 2002

Re: FEL won\'t lift tractor?

Is it possible you are pushing the lever too far and going into the "float" position? Try not pushing the lever all the way forward, just about two thirds of the way.
Just a thought

David

toolman · May 25, 2002

Re: FEL won\'t lift tractor?

David,
Unfotunately I am not going all of they way forward into the float position.
Toolman

toolman · May 25, 2002

Re: FEL won\'t lift tractor?

Mark,
Hopefully that is my problem. I set the bucket down and then tried using the up down motion to lift the tractor. I have not tried sitting the bucket on the ground then "dumping" it to lift the front end. I will try this and get back to you.
Tim

DVerbarg · May 25, 2002

Re: FEL won\'t lift tractor?

In addition to using the bucket curl to lift the frontend be sure that your RPMs are high enough.

knucklehead · May 25, 2002

Re: FEL won\'t lift tractor?

That's my problem....low RPM, ever since I passed 40.

How about a picture of your tractor?

Mark

Dozernut · May 25, 2002

Re: FEL won\'t lift tractor?

A typical fel will only dig down to 6 inches. If you curl your bucket down, then try to raise your front end, I believe you will have different results. I cannot raise my front end with the bucket flat.

knucklehead · May 26, 2002

Re: FEL won\'t lift tractor?

Duh! I forgot about that, Dozernut! He's right, toolman, that's the reason, I'll bet. Egg on my face /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

toolman · May 27, 2002

Re: FEL won\'t lift tractor?

Mark,
It finally stopped raining yesterday so I could try out your suggestion. I tried having the FEL sit on the ground and dumping the bucket as you suggested that worked perfect. FYI when I was trying to push down to lift the front end of the tractor I had the bucket facing downward but just not enough umph to lift it.
Thanks for the info.
Tim