Newby question on correct use of the FEL

[flusher]

I understand your point. But I look at those tiny front wheels on my Bota and wonder how much extra grab I'm getting when using them to help shove the bucket into the pile.

Actually, as I understand it, my B7510HST doesn't have true 4WD. It has four wheel assist capability to help the tractor move around in soft ground or when other sure-footedness is desired. I know that the Kubota manual mentions that 4WD can be used with FEL loading operations, but Kubota doesn't say it's mandatory to do so.

IIRC, a true 4WD tractor has front wheels and a front drive train that are almost the size of the rear wheels/drive train, a configuration usually found on ag tractors in the 100+ HP range, but only rarely,if ever, on CUTs. It's pretty plain that, with these beasts, the front wheels will really make a difference when pushing a bucket into a pile.

So, notwithstanding the opinions from folks with more tractor experience than myself, I think I'll continue to use the front-wheels-up method with the FEL rather than risk tearing up the front end drive.

 

[N80]

I'm pretty new to all this, but have two observations:

1) The Kubota manuals, for my L4400 and LA703 FEL leave a lot to be desired. Not nearly as much info as I wanted and expected.

2) My brief experience has shown 4WD to be indespensible for FEL use. It only takes a few trys with and a few without to show clearly how valuable it is. I keep those front tires down and pulling and it makes a huge difference in FEL capability. As mentioned, approach pile slowly, engage the pile while finding a sweet spot with the loader, keep all 4 tires on the ground and push in.

Obviously wouldn't do this in high traction situations but if the traction is high, 4WD is less of a help anyway.

4WD is for getting more power on the ground. I wouldn't have paid extra for it if I thought I couldn't use it.

 

[dmccarty]

Flusher,

Keep it in 4x4 mode with the front wheels on the ground. 4x4 makes a big difference. I often spin my wheels when going into a pile. I go slow but I don't have a tooth bar on the bucket which will help. I have a gear tractor and depending on the material I go into the pile in 1st or 2nd gear. This is 1-2 mph. SLOW. For loader work I usually run the engine at 1600-1800 RPMS. PTO speed is 2800 or there abouts. On my ground with my JD 4700 I run out of traction well before engine power.

As others have said learning how to drive into the pile and then lifting and rotating the bucket is the way to go. Just takes practic. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif And you can't hurt anything, its just gravel or dirt. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Have Fun.
Dan

 

[grandad]

Well, you're certainly getting a range of opinions here, so I'll just add one more to the pile. There have been hundreds (maybe into the thousands?) of Kubota owners posting here over the last several years. Collectively, they must represent many thousands of hours of FEL operation, and, as best I can figure, most of them seem to have and use the 4WD in a conventional manner. If there were going to be problems with front drivetrain failures due to operation in 4WD, it would have come up on this forum, but I don't think there is any indication to that effect.

What does sometimes come up is load-related wear on the front axles and bearings, which is why Kubota has beefed-up the axles on its CUT models in recent years.

So I think you are being a bit overly cautious with your "wheels up" approach. If it makes you feel better, by all means, knock yourself out, but I don't think it's at all necessary.