Poll..... Mow with bucket on or off?

[DKCDKC]

I mow with the FEL on. I can raise it over obstacles, and usually find a use for it anyway... Pushing branches out of the way, moving a rock or log, etc.

 

[devildog1]

When using the Woods RFM I take off the whole FEL assembly, as on my Grand L3540 with the HD Round back bucket with bolt on cutting edge it does weigh in lots.As others said before it only takes a few minuets to remove and makes a huge difference on the lawn with tracks.After mowing season then re-install for the fall wood pick-up and snow issues.
DevilDog

 

[riptides]

The FEL comes off? Really?

I have never taken if off for mowing. To me, on my B series Kubota, it makes the platform more stable pulling the bush hog.

 

[polo1665]

Mostly on, you never know when you'll find something you need to move.....

I leave mine on for the same reason.

 

[JDgreen227]

I leave mine on for the same reason.

I always have a reason to use the FEL every other day or so if only to haul yard debris 700 feet back to my burn pile, but I also do so much mowing around obstacles it is a huge PIB to leave the loader on all the time. Why cart around 500 pounds of extra front end weight during the week when I am mowing (5-7 hours) when I only really need the loader 20 minutes a week?

 

[foreman Etexas]

"was only raised for picture"
. If im mowing the right-of-ways always a tree or something that has fell down but if im in the open cattle pastures,I take bucket or pallet fork off at gate.

 

[polo1665]

I always have a reason to use the FEL every other day or so if only to haul yard debris 700 feet back to my burn pile, but I also do so much mowing around obstacles it is a huge PIB to leave the loader on all the time. Why cart around 500 pounds of extra front end weight during the week when I am mowing (5-7 hours) when I only really need the loader 20 minutes a week?

I use my tractor and brush hog to mow the front field once every couple of weeks and it takes about 2 hours. The rest of my lawn is cut with my gar6en tractor (Simplicity SunStar) which has no FEL. I would say that I spend much more time using the FEL than I do mowing with the Branson, and while mowing the FEL has never proven to be a problem. Certainly not even worth the ten minutes it would take to remove and reinstall it.
I guess everyone's situation is a little different.

 

[tmc_31]

My TN70D is 12 years old and I've never removed the FEL. I like having it on because most of my mowing is over ground that is unfamiliar to me. It helps me find objects that I do not want to mow over.

 

[JDgreen227]

Those here who say they have never removed their FEL must have a tractor that permits access to the oil filler cap and oil filter with it their FEL installed. On my 4000-Ten series Deere, both of those are inside the right side (as seated) engine side panel and it isn't possible for me to remove the panel with the FEL frame blocking it.

 

[tmc_31]

Those here who say they have never removed their FEL must have a tractor that permits access to the oil filler cap and oil filter with it their FEL installed. On my 4000-Ten series Deere, both of those are inside the right side (as seated) engine side panel and it isn't possible for me to remove the panel with the FEL frame blocking it.

Fortunately, I don't have to remove any thing to change oil, filters or service any other part of the tractor, just raise the hood

Tim