Mowing Mowing: With your loader on or off?

SacandagaBrad · Jul 2, 2004

Inspector,

I wish they did come with the loader. Kind of crazy that they don't. For the overall price of a loader and for the protection they provide, you would think it would be a no-brainer. My rear remotes came with plugs and caps.

They are made to have a keeper ring slide over the hydraulic line before the quick-connect fittings are threaded on the ends, that way they are always on the tractor. I would have to take my fittings off, slip the plugs on the lines, and reinstall the fittings. There is not enough stretch in the hard rubber material to slide them over the fittings. Not worth the effort - I use the ring end of the plugs to hang them on a nail in the garage when not in use.

Brad

Inspector507 · Jul 2, 2004

Loop the "cord" of the cap/plug around the line and run the end through the ring end. I forgot to put mine on first as well..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Kevin_in_VA · Jul 2, 2004

LOL! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks for not picking on me. You're right. I guess you could call what I did "Reclaiming the jungle." I've still got a few acres to go too.

Hard to get it all done when you've got another fulltime job away from home.

Kevin

bandit67 · Jul 2, 2004

( I "thought" I once read here that the caps and plugs should be supplied with the loader. Maybe one of our NH dealers here could comment? )

I ordered a set of caps the other day for my LX110 (same as NH LA110) - supposedly it's 4 sets of 2 caps for each end (tractor & loader lines). They said they don't come standard on the smaller loader, but do on the bigger. Not sure about the 112, but they should come standard with the 114's and larger.

TC18guy · Jul 2, 2004

I've finished mowed both with loader on and off. I prefer off. It's a pretty rough ride for the TC18 at mowing speed with the loader on. But it was handy for picking up rocks, sticks, etc. when the yard was just planted.

have_blue · Jul 15, 2004

Well, I mowed yesterday with the FEL off for the first time. Yikes! What a thrill! She tried to rear up on her hind legs 4-5 times, and the steering was VERY light indeed. I could have ran over a baby chicken and I think it would have survived! The only way I could turn was to take it slowly with a wide turn. I had to mow 1 gear lower, and was on pins and needles the whole hour I worked. I'm going to finish mowing today, but with the FEL _on_ this time. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bottom line is TC 35's (and probably (40 & 45 too) need some front weight for 700+ pound brush hogs! Leave the FEL on!

PineRidge · Jul 15, 2004

My FEL came equipped with caps on my TC-40D from the factory. When I added 3 remotes to the rear of the tractor all the kits came with caps as well. They really do keep the quick connects much cleaner if you use them.

I also remove my FEL when I use the RFM, but I leave it on when using the brush hog. Never seemed to have any weight problems with the front end.

OhioGuy · Jul 16, 2004

I mow with the loader off when using the finish mower and loader on with the rotary. Unless I'm short on time, then it's whatevers hooked up. My 1220 really is light up front with the 4 foot rotary back there.

Curt

jinman · Jul 16, 2004

( Bottom line is TC 35's (and probably (40 & 45 too) need some front weight for 700+ pound brush hogs! Leave the FEL on! )

Have_blue, did you have your tailwheel in the air? I'm surprised you got your front wheels airborne. I've never had that problem with my little TSC cutter, but it's probably at least 200 lb lighter than your Woods.

I just have trouble not hitting trees with my FEL on, and that's worse now that I have a toothbar adding an additional 6" out front. Of course, my trees are also why I have such a small cutter. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Bob_Skurka · Jul 16, 2004

the steering was VERY light indeed. I could have ran over a baby chicken and I think it would have survived! 

That is why I put EZ Weights on the front wheels of my tractor!!! When I take the FEL off, I still have 100# of weight up front to help hold the front wheel on the ground. 150# would have been better, but 100# gets me by.