Neat trick using loader as a box scraper!

[AndyMA]

I'm actually going to have to read my 300cx manual now. I've done this technique, be it good or bad, a few times without issue. I wonder if other non-green brands lack the strength of the green 300cx? After reading many threads, it seems some orange hydraulic cylinders can be bent way too easily.

Please, orange cylinders and green ones are basically the same. It is the leverage that bends the cylinder rods. Green tractors are not any stronger than blue or orange ones. Just put the rods under an overload at a bad angle and bent it will be.

andy

 

[Singlecoil]

On bigger construction tractors, they have a "float" feature that helps keep the bucket level when back draging. This is a normal, every day job for a backhoe operator, but for some reason, compact tractor owners seem to not do this and rely on the box blade.

Eddie

I just had a Eureka moment reading that. I've got float on my loader on the BX24 and have used it only while going forward. That is going to make backfilling so much easier. Thanks. That and the full bucket tip as well.

 

[Glowplug]

I just had a Eureka moment reading that. I've got float on my loader on the BX24 and have used it only while going forward. That is going to make backfilling so much easier. Thanks. That and the full bucket tip as well.

Yeah, I've done that. Works great in the right conditions.

 

[ducati996]

Here is a very simple picture of the right way and the wrong way.

The correct way (jerry's diagram) makes for a smoother fill anyway....

 

[Nathan_OR]

Hey guys ease up, I'm sure DayDreamer just meant that perhaps the heavy duty (300cx as opposed to 300) loader was built strong enough to do this.

In any case it's very good to know that I shouldn't be doing that. But I'm going to post a photo of the way I *was* doing it, because it looks to me like it puts way less stress on the cylinders than your guy's "WRONG WAY" diagrams. Namely, I roll it *fully* upside down so that there isn't that kind of leverage against the cylinders. The force from just looking at it is on the joint pins, not the cylinders, because the angle is to small to give the bucket edge much leverage on the cylinders.

I'm *not* saying I'm going to keep doing this, only that the pictures you guys are showing don't show what I was doing, and they look a *lot* worse (to me) than what I was doing. Anyway I'm grading out my RC car track so I'll take some pictures and show you what I mean, just for the record.

Nathan

 

[JerryG]

Was it like this?

 

[gizmo]

In any case it's very good to know that I shouldn't be doing that. But I'm going to post a photo of the way I *was* doing it, because it looks to me like it puts way less stress on the cylinders than your guy's "WRONG WAY" diagrams. Namely, I roll it *fully* upside down so that there isn't that kind of leverage against the cylinders. The force from just looking at it is on the joint pins, not the cylinders, because the angle is to small to give the bucket edge much leverage on the cylinders.

Nathan

If you are dragging through something that is "cuttable" you are correct that the torque producing force applied to the bucket edge is at a very steep angle. However, a catch on a rock or root will reduce that applied angle to near perpendicular (max torque) and apply an explosive force to the cylinders which are now fully extended and most vulnerable to buckling. Don't do it.

 

[DayDreamer]

OK, I dusted off the operator's manual for the 300cx and found this. This seems consistent with what other brands are advising. It seems JD encourages using FLOAT which may have saved me from serious damage. Good forum for newbie’s like me. Thanks for everyone’s input.

I don't bleed green but I have a dream that someday all hydraulic cylinders will get along...

 

[mswlogo]

Oh crap, I'm so glad I read this thread before my new BX24 arrived. I've done it the "wrong way" on rentals many times.

 

[Texas Dodge]

I was doing it the wrong way as well and had one of my hydraulic lines start leaking. I tightened it back up and don't do it the wrong way anymore. I am looking at getting a 6' BB.