How often do you take off your FEL?

[Henro]

I took mine off a lot the first year, but that was because I was finish mowing with the tractor (with a RFM).

Then I got a smaller tractor/MMM to use for mowing, and the loader has not been off since...

 

[JDFANATIC]

I take mine off when I mow, mostly keep it on the rest of the time. Now that winter's here or soon to be, I have the blower on the front. I've got it down so that I spend more time cleaning the hydraulic couplers than I do installing/removing the FEL.

 

[MMILLER]

I have never removed my loader. I use it as a great way to lower my center of gravity when brushhogging all my slopes. I bought a LT for finish mowing.

 

[OkeeDon]

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif It comes off?

 

[keeney]

For me, its more like "How often do I put it on?".

Answer: Only when I am specifically going to use it.

Now that the house is done and our yard is in, I am thinking the loader will seldomly get used. MY JD4100 might be overkill for just mowing and plowing snow on my < 1 acre lot.

- Rick

 

[MossRoad]

Every time I use it... or never, depending how you look at it! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color="blue"> 'How many times and for what reasons are your loaders removed?" </font>

Counting the last time... it would be NEVER.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

Since I got the BH I haven't had the loader off the tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[fishman]

OkeeDon,

EXACTLY what I was thinking. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Gee Jinman, you must get alot of seat time in! )</font>

Caught! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif ...again. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif ...SIGH! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[mikim]

exactly once - just to see if I could - I like mine on when mowing and set it just a few inches high so it finds things in the weeds before my mower does. Course I might pull it sometime when working around trees to get it out of the way - but I don't have enough weights for the front yet to offset that woods BB600.

 

[texbaylea]

TxDon

I have had my loader off once in the first 4 months of ownership. I took it off to facilitate the 50 hour service since that was all easier with the loader out of the way. When I mow it is enough to drop off the bucket to get front clearance and visibility. I have the QDs that make it easy to take off the loader but I don't expect to be taking it off very much.

Vernon

 

[frank_f15]

HAVE NEVER had mine off, and have no intention of doing so! when i mow, i use it for weight ,of course u do have to watch out for the added length.

 

[txdon]

Well, it has been 24 hours since I posted and there have been about 600 views and 32 responses with 31 answers.

The unofficial tally is:

Those of us that take off our loaders 0-5 time a year = 16
Those of us that take of our loader more than 5 times=15

The #1 reason to take off the loader is to mow.

Other reasons include snow removal, to work on the motor, and curiosity. Some only put it on for a specific job.

OK, now I don't feel so bad about not putting a disconnect at the joystick. I'll just snip three tie straps and pull 7 feet of hose from under the tractor the first time... and then add the disconnect. Thanks everyone.

Wannafish, I still don't know which category to put you in. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[DaveInColorado]

I use the FEL all the time, but my son uses the tractor to mow many lawns. During the mowing season I take the FEL off at least once per week and sometimes twice a week. It really is a no-brainer now. I can do it in only a minute or two now that I have the pattern down.

Removal: Lift FEL, put props in place, lower FEL to ground, uncurl bucket to relieve pressure on pins, pull pins, extend FEL and curl bucket to push FEL from tractor and lift off of pins. Turn off engine, reroute hydraulics, drive away! The important piece is to set it in a level spot prior to removal so the tractor doesn't have a tendency to roll towards or away from the FEL.

Reverse the procedure for installation. This works for a Kubota BX and requires no hammering or pushing or any forces other than tractor-based hydraulics. No cussing, either.

I've removed and installed two backhoes for a larger tractor and a skid steer. Those required lots of struggle, pain, leaked oil, hammering, etc.

 

[GerardC]

<font color="red"> ....32 responses with 31 answers.</font>

Let me guess, you didn't count this one.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif It comes off? )</font> /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif G

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Gerard,

For what it's worth, I was thinking of writing the same thing before I read yours. Understand, I know mine comes off (in theory). I've just never had a reason to actually see it (in practice).

 

[Wannafish]

"Wannafish, I still don't know which category to put you in."

txdon,

My boss feels the same way so I'll tell you the same thing I tell him..."It really doesn't matter, as long as I am included!" /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
And to clear it up, I would fall into the >5 times/year...much greater.

 

[Red_rider]

I didn't see this answer so thought I would throw in my .02.... I've never taken the whole thing off -- just the bucket to get the tooth bar installed. Did see the dealer do it once. Took about 5 minutes.

I don't mow with the 3510, but it gets a work-out moving dirt, gravel, and mulch.

 

[Theowegian]

In the summer, I take off the FEL about once per week to mow. This winter, I dont expect to take it off at all.

Gee, the LA513 FEL on my L3130 is super easy to remove. Literally, its a 5 minute job. Its fun!

dwight