I am new member and looking for tips on moving field stones with my FEL in 2710 in frozen and muddy uphill conditions of NH. Tried backing (front wheels sunk and dug in) and tried again going forward to get through a very soft spot with a load of field stones in FEL. (No luck) Finally dumped the stones and backed right thru the mud to the frozen area. Best to go forward or backwards uphill? I do have a RB72 for counter weight on the back.ThanksBobNH
Moving Field Stones
- Thread starter boblegg
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BurningtreeFarm
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Using a stone bolt and pulling the stones out of the field, keeping the weight off the tractor, or not as full a bucket and more trips, would be my suggestions to start.
Backing or driving up hills, I would say how steep are they?, keep the bucket as low as posssible and drive the way you are most comfortable with again keep the bucket low. Tim
Backing or driving up hills, I would say how steep are they?, keep the bucket as low as posssible and drive the way you are most comfortable with again keep the bucket low. Tim
beenthere
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The way your r-4's are mounted on your tractor, they will give you the best traction going forward, in 2wd or 4wd. If you want more traction while backing, turn the front wheels around so the bars are pointing the other direction (forward if looking on top of the tire).
Sounds like either some additional weight in your ballast box, and/or fewer field stones will help you get the job started. Also, doing the job when the ground is drier will help as it sounds like you are having the most problem in wet, soft spots. You will gain some experience as you go along, and will find out what works and what doesn't. The outfit you have should work well for moving a lot of field stone. If you have a long way to travel, then a carrying platform on the 3ph that you could load field stone onto would give you rear weight as well as increase your efficiency per trip.
I sometimes work flat stone around (with the FEL) so I can prop it up in the air enough to back under it with a 3ph platform, saving on the bullwork as much as possible. Otherwise I roll the stones onto the platform. If the ground is dry, I will use the stone boat. But that doesn't give me any weight on the tractor wheels for traction.
Sounds like either some additional weight in your ballast box, and/or fewer field stones will help you get the job started. Also, doing the job when the ground is drier will help as it sounds like you are having the most problem in wet, soft spots. You will gain some experience as you go along, and will find out what works and what doesn't. The outfit you have should work well for moving a lot of field stone. If you have a long way to travel, then a carrying platform on the 3ph that you could load field stone onto would give you rear weight as well as increase your efficiency per trip.
I sometimes work flat stone around (with the FEL) so I can prop it up in the air enough to back under it with a 3ph platform, saving on the bullwork as much as possible. Otherwise I roll the stones onto the platform. If the ground is dry, I will use the stone boat. But that doesn't give me any weight on the tractor wheels for traction.
Egon
Epic Contributor
Not so long ago " Bird" posted a picture of a hicth that attaches to the three point.
Make one of these and you can pull larger stones by putting down pressure on the rear wheels. At the same time keep the bucket full of stones. Only pull straight downhill or straight uphill and always keep one hand on the bucket controls and be ready to stop the tractor quickly. If going downhill with a very large round rock it may have a tendancy to roll to one side and pull the tractor that way. This may not be a pleasant experience and should best be avoided.
Egon
Make one of these and you can pull larger stones by putting down pressure on the rear wheels. At the same time keep the bucket full of stones. Only pull straight downhill or straight uphill and always keep one hand on the bucket controls and be ready to stop the tractor quickly. If going downhill with a very large round rock it may have a tendancy to roll to one side and pull the tractor that way. This may not be a pleasant experience and should best be avoided.
Egon
Thomas
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Bob,
Looks like mud season has arrive for you,so in a month I'll be up to my axles.
The best way I found out to remove stones..going down a hill I back down w/the fel about 4" off the ground also I go up a hill the same way.
When traveling thru rough or muddy surface I rather back thru it..I do use tire chains and thats a good help.
You could always do it the old way like on the farm..get to the area your working couple hours early before the warm temps and sun thaws the ground..man do I remember those morning this time of year. /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif
Looks like mud season has arrive for you,so in a month I'll be up to my axles.
The best way I found out to remove stones..going down a hill I back down w/the fel about 4" off the ground also I go up a hill the same way.
When traveling thru rough or muddy surface I rather back thru it..I do use tire chains and thats a good help.
You could always do it the old way like on the farm..get to the area your working couple hours early before the warm temps and sun thaws the ground..man do I remember those morning this time of year. /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif
hayden
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Are your rear tires filled? That will add a bunch of weight. A blade isn't that heavy. Any form of rear weight will help traction.
You might also consider tire chains.
As a last resort, load fewer stones, or roll them down hill then bring them back up by an easier route if that's possible.
Good luck.
You might also consider tire chains.
As a last resort, load fewer stones, or roll them down hill then bring them back up by an easier route if that's possible.
Good luck.
Thanks for imput everyone. Was on site at 8AM today and low temp had frozen all up solid, but yesterday before leaving the 12" plus ruts of mud, we filled them with brush and waste chunks of cedar logs from our new home. Ground remains frozen in woods except for this 20' section of mud. I made 4 trips this AM before ground started getting soft. Backing up seemed to work best. My R4's are calcium filled and they do have chains. It was the fronts that got bogged down in the mud yesterday. I need the field stones from my rear stonewall to build field stone chimney and retaining walls. Just know that March and April won't be more favorable in regards to MUD. More pics on http://homepage.mac.com/boblegg/LeggLogHome/PhotoAlbum15.html
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Thomas
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Great photos..Looks like a great day for outside work.
Maybe a little ditching on the wood road might help to keep the dirt dryer.
Maybe a little ditching on the wood road might help to keep the dirt dryer.
ronjhall
Super Star Member
Bob
Great Pictures. I sure like view and Log house. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Is the house being built for you?
Great Pictures. I sure like view and Log house. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Is the house being built for you?
