If you buy a tractor with a FEL and you have never used one, the manual helps a little but it doesn't really tell you all you need to know, or maybe it does but you really don't learn much until you use the loader. I learned by using it that you can turn a tractor over very easily with it, much easier than I ever thought. I never turned it over but I came extremely close twice. Rule number one should be "never try to use a FEL sideways on an incline" Even a slight incline with the bucket loaded and up three or four feet will cause it to tip. If you start to tip, lower the bucket immediately, keep it low and try to back out of it. Rule number two should be " always travel with your bucket low to the ground whether it is loaded or empty". There are some other rules in the owners manual which are also important but these were the ones that I failed to pay attention to until I almost turned it over. Oh yes, one time I did it without the ROPS up and without a seat belt because I thought that I was going to be doing work which would make them unnecessary. Never try to use a FEL, even on level ground, without ROPS and lap belt. You can turn one over even on level ground if you drive over a hole or some soft ground with a loaded and lifted bucket. The best thing to do is always use ROPS and belt while on the tractor regardless of what you are doing. I don't think jumping off a rollover is possible in any circumstance, or at least, it would not be possible for me.
Front end loaders dangerous
- Thread starter ToJo
- Start date
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Alan L.
Elite Member
Its also possible to drop material on your head, or to drop the bucket on somebody's head. Pretty easy also to put it through the side of your house if yhou don't pay attention.
KennyV
Elite Member
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- 2,601
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- Kubota L4200 GSTCA
Too True…
To Alan I have to say amen…. To TOJO, There is no teacher like experience, also they have had loaders around much longer than there has been ROPS or seat belts. KennyV.
To Alan I have to say amen…. To TOJO, There is no teacher like experience, also they have had loaders around much longer than there has been ROPS or seat belts. KennyV.
slammer
Silver Member
I know this is an old thread but as a new BX2230 owner I would like to add that the next "rule" should definately be BALLAST. I hang 300 pounds on my 3pt when using the FEL.
I am a former heavy eq. operator...I worked in an above ground rock mine for years and ran various loaders ranging from a skid steer to a Cat 992G...we always had the back of the bucket "fenced" to prevent spillage when loading shot rock...I may do this to my BX bucket as well. I attached a rough drawing. Thoughts?
I am a former heavy eq. operator...I worked in an above ground rock mine for years and ran various loaders ranging from a skid steer to a Cat 992G...we always had the back of the bucket "fenced" to prevent spillage when loading shot rock...I may do this to my BX bucket as well. I attached a rough drawing. Thoughts?
Attachments
Bob_Skurka
Super Member
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I know this is an old thread but as a new BX2230 owner I would like to add that the next "rule" should definately be BALLAST. I hang 300 pounds on my 3pt when using the FEL. )</font>
I preach BALLAST and balance constantly. Seems like some folks think that they have enough but the case is you almost never have enough. Reading the loader manual typically will state that you need both a ballast box AND loaded rear wheels or wheel weights. Heavy tractors require the same care to have proper ballast as light ones do. Big ones require the same care as small ones. Proper ballast to balance the tractor probably does more to increase stability and useable capacity than most casual operators understand. I've simply stopped arguing with the knuckleheads who think they have a heavy tractor so they don't need ballast, they are simply dangers to themselves.
I preach BALLAST and balance constantly. Seems like some folks think that they have enough but the case is you almost never have enough. Reading the loader manual typically will state that you need both a ballast box AND loaded rear wheels or wheel weights. Heavy tractors require the same care to have proper ballast as light ones do. Big ones require the same care as small ones. Proper ballast to balance the tractor probably does more to increase stability and useable capacity than most casual operators understand. I've simply stopped arguing with the knuckleheads who think they have a heavy tractor so they don't need ballast, they are simply dangers to themselves.
slammer
Silver Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
I preach BALLAST and balance constantly. Seems like some folks think that they have enough but the case is you almost never have enough. Reading the loader manual typically will state that you need both a ballast box AND loaded rear wheels or wheel weights. Heavy tractors require the same care to have proper ballast as light ones do. Big ones require the same care as small ones. Proper ballast to balance the tractor probably does more to increase stability and useable capacity than most casual operators understand. I've simply stopped arguing with the knuckleheads who think they have a heavy tractor so they don't need ballast, they are simply dangers to themselves.
)</font>
Agreed Bob...if some those guys had ever seen a Komatsu WA900 laying on her side they would be believers! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Slam
I preach BALLAST and balance constantly. Seems like some folks think that they have enough but the case is you almost never have enough. Reading the loader manual typically will state that you need both a ballast box AND loaded rear wheels or wheel weights. Heavy tractors require the same care to have proper ballast as light ones do. Big ones require the same care as small ones. Proper ballast to balance the tractor probably does more to increase stability and useable capacity than most casual operators understand. I've simply stopped arguing with the knuckleheads who think they have a heavy tractor so they don't need ballast, they are simply dangers to themselves.
)</font>
Agreed Bob...if some those guys had ever seen a Komatsu WA900 laying on her side they would be believers! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Slam
dlroy101
Bronze Member
Straight from Kubota:
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Mr. Roy,
Below are the weights of each tractor with fluid filled R4 tires and a
front loader installed.
B7800HSD-F with LA403 Loader 3012 Lbs.
B7610HSD-F with LA352 Loader 2495 Lbs.
B2410HSD-F with LA352 Loader 2397 Lbs.
We also recommend that when you have your front end loader installed on
your tractor that you have an implement (Ballast Box, Boxscraper, tiller,
etc.) for counter weight. Even with your tires being fluid filled that
will not be enough weight to use as a counter weight.
Thank you for your interest in Kubota Tractors!
)</font>
This was the response I received from them when I was inquiring on some concrete numbers on weight. That tells me I need to go ahead and add the box scraper to the invoice when I make my tractor purchase. It was something I was going to get later.
Darrell
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Mr. Roy,
Below are the weights of each tractor with fluid filled R4 tires and a
front loader installed.
B7800HSD-F with LA403 Loader 3012 Lbs.
B7610HSD-F with LA352 Loader 2495 Lbs.
B2410HSD-F with LA352 Loader 2397 Lbs.
We also recommend that when you have your front end loader installed on
your tractor that you have an implement (Ballast Box, Boxscraper, tiller,
etc.) for counter weight. Even with your tires being fluid filled that
will not be enough weight to use as a counter weight.
Thank you for your interest in Kubota Tractors!
)</font>
This was the response I received from them when I was inquiring on some concrete numbers on weight. That tells me I need to go ahead and add the box scraper to the invoice when I make my tractor purchase. It was something I was going to get later.
Darrell
EastTexFrank
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The only thing that I would add is to be very careful not to "hang" one corner of the bucket on a rock or a tree root when digging. When most of these loaders raise from ground to full height in a few seconds, if you hang that bucket on a tree root, you'll be surprised how fast the back end comes off the ground and wants to tip the tractor over. That's what happened to me, even with ballast. It scared the daylights out of me. So when you lift the bucket, start slowly and give yourself a chance to react.
_RaT_
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Thats why I have ballast that won't let the rear end off the ground. People have told me $1800 was way to much to pay for a heavy duty box scraper but I say not only is it a better box scraper, but it makes a much better stabilizer for the loader. I think it was money well spent.
slammer
Silver Member
The attachment is the plan I used to build my ballast "cube". The real thing works great. I found the plans here at TBN about 50 pages back in the DIY forum...I had no real use for a box blade and the weight boxes I looked at were not a good deal compared to the $35 I have invested in the cube.
Slam
Slam
