beenthere,
The tractor does not need to go under the shelf. The FEL sticks out quite a bit. I did make one miscalculation. The loader arms fit under the shelf but the bucket level indicator did not /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. I discovered this early in setting up the rack but did not want to raise the shelf higher and therefore waste more vertical space. I replaced the cotter pin that retains the level indicator rod at the bucket with a spring clip. When storing the FEL, I pull the clip and rotate the rod clockwise until it rests on top of the loader arm. I slip the curved end of the rod under a tie wrap I placed permanently around the loader arm. It adds about 30 seconds to the FEL removal time.
No plans for a side mower for the stream. I hire my neighbor who has a lawn mowing business. He sends one of his crew down every 3 weeks or so to weed whack it. Its a few hundred feet long and I just got tired of doing it. He'll be doing it next week, that's why it looks a little long in the photo.
Jeff