Practice Removing Your FEL

[dodge man]

I've turned plenty of wrenches in my day, and I will admit it was a struggle to take my FEL off and on the first time. I installed mine the first time, and didn't get the bottom pins set in the bracket correctly, the whole thing was a mess until if figured out what was wrong. By the third or fourth time, I had it down to less than 5 minutes.

I can't imgaine finish mowing with the FEL on, too much weight and too top heavy. I have brush hogged with the FEL on, and it seems natural for that.

 

[riptides]

I took my FEL off once off the B. I forgot where I put it, so now it stays on full-time.
I do all field work, and with the ground hog holes, it is great if you see them first before you fall into them. I usually dig, and back spread, accordingly.

 

[impdaddy]

Know exactly what you mean. I have a couple that take two grown men and a trained monkey to remove, so they stay on.

Where did you find the trained monkey. All the monkeys I have seen seem to be trying to do something with a football.

Seriously though. I have never even considered operating with the FEL removed until this and the accompanying thread. My Mowing consists of bush hog and the FEL stays as low as possible. I know better than lifting it high as I have seen done before. Maybe now I have to figure out the FEL.:thumbsup:

 

[TripleR]

Where did you find the trained monkey. All the monkeys I have seen seem to be trying to do something with a football.

Seriously though. I have never even considered operating with the FEL removed until this and the accompanying thread. My Mowing consists of bush hog and the FEL stays as low as possible. I know better than lifting it high as I have seen done before. Maybe now I have to figure out the FEL.:thumbsup:

Actually a football will ruin a perfectly good monkey and you will need to start from scratch so to speak. I found mine working in the service department at a John Deere Dealership:laughing::laughing::laughing:

Before anyone gets upset, you can substitute any brand and I own a Kubota, John Deere, Ford and Massey Ferguson too, just kidding.

 

[Big Wave D]

TripleR,

Thanks for the laugh concerning all that needs to come to bear to remove some of your FEL's.

I have a friend who has a Ford 4000 with a loader on it. He can't even replace the battery without completely removing his FEL or tearing all the hood sheet metal off. I'm not sure which is worse and more time consuming. Anyways, he's made himself a designated spot with a 4"x4" truss works with come alongs to aid in its removal. Even so, it's a half day job. :confused2:

My how things have changed, and for the better, at least concerning this small aspect of life.:laughing:

 

[TripleR]

TripleR,

Thanks for the laugh concerning all that needs to come to bear to remove some of your FEL's.

I have a friend who has a Ford 4000 with a loader on it. He can't even replace the battery without completely removing his FEL or tearing all the hood sheet metal off. I'm not sure which is worse and more time consuming. Anyways, he's made himself a designated spot with a 4"x4" truss works with come alongs to aid in its removal. Even so, it's a half day job. :confused2:

My how things have changed, and for the better, at least concerning this small aspect of life.:laughing:

The last time we removed the FEL on our Massey Ferguson, we used the FEL on our Case CX80. I won't even talk about the FEL on our Case as it has actually fallen off a couple of times, talk about a job; needed two monkeys on that one.

 

[TGF]

what about just taking the bucket off? I haven't taken my FEL off but then again I use it more than my 3 points, that may change as I just got a rotary cutter.

 

[TripleR]

what about just taking the bucket off? I haven't taken my FEL off but then again I use it more than my 3 points, that may change as I just got a rotary cutter.

Please don't rely solely on my post in deciding, but going across grades, a bucket held low to the ground may mitigate the effect of the arms which are much higher. I am still in the decision phase on my L5030.

 

[RoyJackson]

what about just taking the bucket off? I haven't taken my FEL off but then again I use it more than my 3 points, that may change as I just got a rotary cutter.

I value TripleR's opinions and posts...and he does have a very good point about a low 250-300 lb bucket mitigating the weight of the loader frame. However, that 250-300 lb bucket does act as a "pendulum" when mowing. In my case, mowing (especially on slopes) is more comfortable without the bucket (even better without the loader).
Best suggestion is give removing the bucket a try...see how it works for you. See how removing the entire loader works for you...might make it much more stable (especially on a slope).
As far as using a brush cutter...if the grasses/brush are low (12-20 inches) and you know the property, try it without the loader...but you'll want some kind of front ballast if you intend to raise the cutter. If the brush is high, or you're not familar with the field, that bucket works nicely to knock down the brush and expose any hidden objects (like an engine block).

 

[TripleR]

I value TripleR's opinions and posts...and he does have a very good point about a low 250-300 lb bucket mitigating the weight of the loader frame. However, that 250-300 lb bucket does act as a "pendulum" when mowing. In my case, mowing (especially on slopes) is more comfortable without the bucket (even better without the loader). Best suggestion is give removing the bucket a try...see how it works for you. See how removing the entire loader works for you...might make it much more stable (especially on a slope).

Very good advice and I am in the process of doing this on my L5030. I have done it on my BX2660, MF375 and Case CX80. I "usually" remove the loader on my BX and leave them on my MF and Case. I am inclined to believe my L5030 will do better without FEL and with suitcase weights.

As far as using a brush cutter...if the grasses/brush are low (12-20 inches) and you know the property, try it without the loader...but you'll want some kind of front ballast if you intend to raise the cutter. If the brush is high, or you're not familiar with the field, that bucket works nicely to knock down the brush and expose any hidden objects (like an engine block).

Good idea, but I am just too lazy and I my trained monkey ran off.

I have been clearing very heavy brush/saplings/blackberry briers and using the bucket to knock the stuff down before cutting them and it is saving the paint, glass and hoses on my tractor.