FELs and digging

[RjCorazza]

I kind of think "front end loader" means an implement on the front end for picking up and moving loads, from a pile. I fear my little CUT bucket (with a straight edge) isn't meant for cutting into the earth, and if I try to do that, I should go easy, because I'm pushing it out of its intended comfort zone.

But I also think a "backhoe loader" that has teeth on the backhoe bucket and ALSO the front end loader bucket is indeed meant for cutting into the earth. So, it's heavier as well as having teeth.

These seem contradictory. So, how do you tell if a bucket on the front is intended for actual digging? Is it the teeth? Is it the fact that there's also a backhoe on the other end? Putting a tooth bar on my bucket could be taking a bit of a chance with it, right?

Enlighten me please? Thanks!

You're on the right track... With common sense a FEL can dig, and teeth will make it easier and put less stress on the machine. The object of adding a tooth bar is not to transform a FEL into a bulldozer that will move mountains.
I don't have a tooth bar (on the short list) so when I have had to dig I generally run a 5' tiller over the area, then scoop with the FEL. My area is mostly hard clay that will stop a standard FEL bucket in its tracks. Likely doable with teeth on the edge.

 

[Thomas]

Depends on the type of soil go slow test.

 

[scootr]

Honestly they are not made to dig. They are generally too wide to be easily pushed into the ground. And if the ground is soft and you do manage to get a good hole started. At about 3-4 ft in you will need to start to drive the machine into the hole and back out with a bucket load which can be a real chanllenge at around 5 ft... in my experience.

 

[dodge man]

I’ve been able to dig with my current tractor and my previous tractor, a Kubota BX. You have to take your time and like someone said, just kind of skim along.

 

[sd455dan]

Didn't Kubota in the early US sales years require their tractors to be able to dig a hole with the FEL deep enough to drive the tractor "under" ground level and then drive out and then fill the hole in.

Could have sworn I saw an ad or something in their literature many years ago.?

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Like said before, not really designed to dig, but can be done ----- but, dig slowly, taking just a few inches at a time. A tooth bar dramatically improves the digging capabilities. I have done a bunch of digging prepping pad sites for buildings. The secret is to go slow, small 'scrapes' vs 'digging', and to watch the loader. You'll know if you're pushing too hard.
I picked up one of these for my 66" bucket, really made a difference!

Heavy Tooth Bar - 65-1/2" Wide - 7 Teeth Bar - 2AW

Heavy Bolt On Tooth Bar For Skid Steer and Tractor Front End Loader Buckets Applications: Tooth Bar can be easily installed inside of a bucket. It is used tremendously for all kinds of digging conditions.

neatfarms.com

 

[Dwellonroof]

You could get a pond scoop.

https://www.northerntool.com/images/product/2000x2000/256/256079_2000x2000.jpg

 

[zzvyb6]

I dug a grave for a horse a while ago. 72" bucket width. 6' deep. Make sure you have extra weight on the front to get down-force & 4wd to back out of the hole. keep the ramp angle shallow. Necessity is the Mother of Invention. I also recently dug up a water line break with my bucket. In this case the bucket size gives you a hole big enough to stand for repairing the line and for getting to the exact location of the break.

 

[sd455dan]

Like said before, not really designed to dig, but can be done ----- but, dig slowly, taking just a few inches at a time. A tooth bar dramatically improves the digging capabilities. I have done a bunch of digging prepping pad sites for buildings. The secret is to go slow, small 'scrapes' vs 'digging', and to watch the loader. You'll know if you're pushing too hard.
I picked up one of these for my 66" bucket, really made a difference!

Heavy Tooth Bar - 65-1/2" Wide - 7 Teeth Bar - 2AW

Heavy Bolt On Tooth Bar For Skid Steer and Tractor Front End Loader Buckets Applications: Tooth Bar can be easily installed inside of a bucket. It is used tremendously for all kinds of digging conditions.

neatfarms.com

I dug a grave for a horse a while ago. 72" bucket width. 6' deep. Make sure you have extra weight on the front to get down-force & 4wd to back out of the hole. keep the ramp angle shallow. Necessity is the Mother of Invention. I also recently dug up a water line break with my bucket. In this case the bucket size gives you a hole big enough to stand for repairing the line and for getting to the exact location of the break.

Same here Twice one with the Ford 3000 FEL and one with the Rhino. I did Over pressure a hydraulic line when digging, pushing with the bucket valve centered and "popped" the line.

Part of the reason for having a full size backhoe now. It can be done , but an involved time consuming digging job for an FEL for sure.

 

[JimRB]

I have twice dug horse graves with my 2WD JD870. Smooth 5 foot bucket. Just takes time. It has been a while but I recall more than an hour, less than two. I did buy a toothbar but have not had to dig a grave since I got the toothbar.