implement-ation misuse = abuse?

[sendero]

OK, how 'bout a semi-serious thread?

I'd like for everyone to post their most interesting mis-uses of your implements. You know, where something is made to do X, but is found to do Y in a pinch.

I'll kick it off with a potential.

How about using a FEL to mix up a small batch of 'crete?

Just raise it up a bit, tilt the bucket up, throw in a few bags and a few gallons - then jiggle the tilt back and forth a while to mix it up /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Yes, be careful because if you slip you might just dump it instead of mixing it.

Ok, y'all tell me why this won't work /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( y'all tell me why this won't work )</font>

Cause you can't jiggle it fast enough and in the right directions. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif You can certainly mix it in the bucket by using a hoe, shovel, etc., but I'll bet you'd never get it mixed just using the loader controls.

 

[ns_in_tex]

Bird,
Depends on what type bucket you have.
See this picture of my concrete mixer, or search for the post "Strange, cheap, concrete mixer" to see more about my experiences with mixing concrete with my FEL.

It does beat the hoe & regular bucket, considerably.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

How about removing all the tines from my First Choice roto tiller, except the outside row and then using it to trench in 250 feet underground 110V wire to my yardlight. Next I put in 200 ft of 1/2 inch PVC water feedline to my goldfish pond. Next, I buried 175 ft of Cat 5 cable when I put a Router on my Office PC in order to run a free highspeed DSL connection to another building and adding that remote PC to a network. While in this configuration, I also use the roto tiller to install edging brick around sidewalks,flowerbeds, etc. Lastly, I dug small footers around the perimiter for my 5x5 ft barbacue grill and then poured concrete into the footers and pad before I starded laying the brick. When I am finished with these type projects, it takes about 20 minutes to bolt the other tines back on the machine using a air ratchet--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment Co. *Hay Cutting Specialists*

 

[MDNick]

Sendero,

See my link on plowing with a back blade. As I said, it worked. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Basically, the blade rotates in 2-D, turn to the extreme, and drive on.

Nick

 

[Bird]

Yep, that'd work, Neal, but I don't think he has a lid for his loader bucket. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[looch]

- I made a trench for an invisible dog fence with my bottom plow set just low enough to turn the sod over

- I use my rear discharge mower as a leaf blower (thanks Bird)

- I have been known to eliminate ant hills with my Bush Hog (unintentionally)

As for being able to mix cement in your bucket - depends on how bumpy the road is you drive down /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Aahh, My front end loader!!! Used it, in combination with shovel and axe and come-a-long to dig up about a 36" OaK Tree stump. Also with same, dug up 30' telephone pole. How about using a 24' extension ladder in that front loader to "just reach"

 

[looch]

<font color="blue">...using a 24' extension ladder...</font>

Better put your flame retardant outerwear on! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

As much as I hate to admit it and I cringe every time I think about it, I did help my neighbor change a lightbulb in his barn using this method. It was his idea and I operated the loader.

 

[TC18guy]

How about using my FEL to lift & pull my new 2up snowmobile out of the bed of my truck. It would have worked better if the nylon tie downs didn't snap 1/2 way down. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I dropped the sled about 18", the tie down almost snagged my wife when it broke /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif as she was swinging the sled away from the truck. Luckily, no serious damage or injuries. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[littledog]

ok, how about implementing your consideration, i may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but with determination, i'll get the job done. that's why i appreciate the opportunity to be able to ask and learn. with all the information that is offered throughout this discussion board, even the dumbest question can be answered with knowledge from those that range from experts to wanna-be's. those that have something to offer are understanding with those that desire to learn, please don't make a mockery of my effort to become better farmer.

 

[CTyler]

I do not understand your post. Was something deleted?

Why do you think someone is making a mockery of your effort? What effort?

 

[dourobob]

Huh??? Not sure what you are referring to here and the lack of information in your profile makes it difficult to add further comment

No ... wait a minute ... is that sarcasm I see?? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Bob

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Just bolted a used 1/2 inch thick plow point to the outside end plate of my box blade and then used it to slice 3 inches deep into the turf---perfect to install low voltage walk light wires--When the wire is pushed down in the slot, I just drive my Kioti LB1914 tires over the slot and it closes right back up----My wife just hates it when I figure easy ways of doing her honey do projects.--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co. *Hay Specialists*

 

[Taylortractornut]

Took the bucket off my old 3550 Ford hoe and mounted a boome i built on it to put in bridge timbers. TOday used the bushog on the 4000 FOrd ate woth to box blade because the tight wads want to get 3 estimates on a fuel pump repair for the dozer. Bolted a disc breaker on the tip of a King Kutter angle blade yo clean out ditches. mount a forklift mast to the t3 point of a tractor with a hydraulic gear motot and combine auger to drill a small water well 70 feet deep. One job as an operator i mad a 2 inch plate of steel with a sleave to slide on the 5000 pound hammer on my 300 komatsu i ran to compact backfill and trenches.

 

[icat]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My wife just hates it when I figure easy ways of doing her honey do projects. )</font>

I bet it really makes her mad when you do them on the tractor! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hello--You are right, she does seem to find a couple more to do when I finish early and easy--The joke is actually on her--Because I really do enjoy this kinda stuff anyway--I have just about got her convinced that I need a good used backhoe to put in the new pool, so we can save a lot of money!!--I think she is going for it?--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co *Since 1977*

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> How about using a FEL to mix up a small batch of 'crete? </font> )</font>

You are working on the wrong end of your tractor Sendero. You start by putting a barrel on the ground and then back your tractor up to the barrel with the post-hole auger attached. Lower the auger into the barrel and then fill in around it with concrete mix and water. Slightly raise the auger with the 3PH and then slowly engage the PTO. You'll have that concrete mixed in a flash and when you are finished, dump the barrel into your FEL and carry the concrete to where you need it. Each barrel will hold almost 1/3 cubic yard of concrete, so you can get a cubic yard in only three loads... and... and... Uhhhh, /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif, I hope you realize this is completely tongue-in-cheek since you did specify a "semi-serious" thread. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

There are so many good ways of mixing concrete that won't get you hurt, cost more than having it delivered, or make you the butt of family jokes for years and years. I have a small concrete mixer that I can use to mix concrete where I have electricity and then haul it with my tractor to a location where I need the "mud" to do a job. That's about as far as I'd go with using my tractor to do concrete work. ...but hey! I'd pay money to watch someone try the auger-in-a-barrel method. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

On the completely serious side of this discussion, one thing I've found to be easy and that I learned here on TBN is using the FEL bucket to shove T-posts into the ground. If you don't hit a rock, it works great and two people can set a bunch of T-posts in a short period of time. At the opposite end of the fencing job, I recently used my FEL to pull about a dozen crosstie posts out of the ground (3-1/2' deep) and snatch t-posts up like pulling toothpicks. I'm sure the FEL wasn't designed for this, but I can't think of any easier way to do the job. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I have used a york rake to remove snow before. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Knowles

 

[hosejockey2002]

Sometimes I drive my tractor to the mailbox when I don't feel like walking. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif