Floating your bucket

[FullBucket]

So I'm having my little adventures and learning experiences and I thought I'd share a tidbit. Please forgive me if this tip is overly obvious to the experienced, but I've read a few posts that mentioned the float setting without how to go about using it and maybe somebody will benefit . Please share other FEL operating tips if you have them. I don't want to learn everything by trial and error and error So here it is.

To plow forwards or scrape with your bucket you can use the float setting to make your bucket follow the contours of route in front of you. Lifting the FEL control lever until you feel the click/detent settting puts you into float. The first few times I tried this, I levelled the bucket and lowered it to the ground and lifted the lever to feel the float setting kick in. I kept setting downpressure on the bucket. Not helpfull when you are trying to slide over the ground without digging in. Here's my little insight. Level the bucket then click into float while its still up in the air. It will float down gently and you're good to go.

The adventurous will try this on the move and without due regard to setting the bucket level . Those less inclined to excitement, digging ruts, and possible repair bills, will perform this little adjustment while stationary. Hope this help another noobie out there. It works great!

 

[Grrrr]

The FEL will soon become part of your body and you will be able to move it into all sorts of weird and wonderful positions that you never thought you would be able to

Anyone can use a FEL but an experienced operator can make it look easy. The more you practice with it, the better you will get


Keep having fun

 

[pdowling1]

You will find if you push the lever QUICKLY to the float position, you can get there before the bucket gets pushed down at all.

 

[Adam23]

I agree - practice makes much better. I was clumsy at best when I first started to use the FEL. Now it seems like it is an extension of my arm.