meburdick
Platinum Member
Congratulations on the purchase. It is definitely a powerful machine - I love mine.
- +1 on getting the wire bracket for the hydro hoses.
- I *believe* the 4WD disengagement issue is the result of improper operation of the engagement level. Be careful when engaging 4WD that you don't press the level too far down. Doing so can allow the small lock ball that holds the lever in place to "pop out". At that point, only the spring will engage the lever, and it doesn't hold it securely.
- Take note of how your FEL stand moves when using the loader (you'll need a helper) by pressing it down against the ground and also lifting. There are a couple of different versions of the stand, and the newer one addresses some clearance issues where the stand would rub. Of course, it has its own possible clearance issues (mine was rubbing against the bottom of the front bumper bracket and scratching the stand, the dealer was able to adjust it and put a rubber cushion on the stand).
- The fuel tank issue is less of "not being centered" and more of "the brackets aren't sturdy enough to hold it over time". Be careful when opening and closing the hood. If the hood does not currently rub the fuel cap, it likely will soon. And if you try to muscle it open and drop it to lock closed, you're going to bend your hood. There are some self fixes that involve loosening all of the bolts holding the tank (when it's empty) and shimming a couple of points with washers.
Be safe - read about how to operate the machine and each attachment safely. Understand what happens to the center of gravity as you put attachments on or take them off and how this effects the potential for rollover or traction. Understand whether or not you should load your rear tires for traction ballast and be absolutely certain to have counterweight ballast on the rear when using the loader.
Above all else, buy a set of Artillian Pallet Forks. I never take mine off of my machine. I think I used the bucket once this year to move a yard of mulch. Other than that, all lifting / moving has been done via my forks. I absolutely can't believe how useful they are. And, on that machine, with that loader, you can easily lift about 1,000 lbs of materials.
- +1 on getting the wire bracket for the hydro hoses.
- I *believe* the 4WD disengagement issue is the result of improper operation of the engagement level. Be careful when engaging 4WD that you don't press the level too far down. Doing so can allow the small lock ball that holds the lever in place to "pop out". At that point, only the spring will engage the lever, and it doesn't hold it securely.
- Take note of how your FEL stand moves when using the loader (you'll need a helper) by pressing it down against the ground and also lifting. There are a couple of different versions of the stand, and the newer one addresses some clearance issues where the stand would rub. Of course, it has its own possible clearance issues (mine was rubbing against the bottom of the front bumper bracket and scratching the stand, the dealer was able to adjust it and put a rubber cushion on the stand).
- The fuel tank issue is less of "not being centered" and more of "the brackets aren't sturdy enough to hold it over time". Be careful when opening and closing the hood. If the hood does not currently rub the fuel cap, it likely will soon. And if you try to muscle it open and drop it to lock closed, you're going to bend your hood. There are some self fixes that involve loosening all of the bolts holding the tank (when it's empty) and shimming a couple of points with washers.
Be safe - read about how to operate the machine and each attachment safely. Understand what happens to the center of gravity as you put attachments on or take them off and how this effects the potential for rollover or traction. Understand whether or not you should load your rear tires for traction ballast and be absolutely certain to have counterweight ballast on the rear when using the loader.
Above all else, buy a set of Artillian Pallet Forks. I never take mine off of my machine. I think I used the bucket once this year to move a yard of mulch. Other than that, all lifting / moving has been done via my forks. I absolutely can't believe how useful they are. And, on that machine, with that loader, you can easily lift about 1,000 lbs of materials.
