Ballast Rookies with FEL's READ THIS - Tractor Ballast 101

[Egon]

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast

Thomas:

Just finished clearing 1/2 mile of overgrown lakeside road. Balsam fire,White Pine and some spruce some up to 4 inches but most smaller. Took three days.

I've got two forks bolted on to the bucket bottom and am able to slide them in under the roots and the then curl the bucket to break the roots loose. This is after the little mule has climbed the tree to help loosen things up.

The cleared trees will be put to use on a very ugly looking garden fence.

Egon

 

[slowrev]

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast

Egon,
My front tires are off the ground quite a bit when doing serious digging.
Looks like you work the little beast pretty well.
Enjoy.

 

[Youare]

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast 101

Thanks for the reminder!!

Rookies are not the only one's who need to know these things.
Those of us with many years of experience may some time get a little over confident in a particular situation. Just because we got away with pushing the limits in the past is no garantee we will come out fine in the next time.

I have lifted a rear wheel now and then digging, especially around roots, sure does get your attention. After most accidents happen we find ourselves saying, I should have known better.

Keep the reminders coming. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Randy

 

[SacandagaBrad]

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast

I am one of the "innocent" ones posting a recent thread about loading tires - no need to protect me /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif, I truly appreciate anyone pointing out potential problem areas especially when it comes to safety. I have been operating equipment for over 30 years, from yard and landscaping, to logging, farming, and heavy construction. I am also responsible for overseeing well drilling and construction activities to make sure the job gets done safely. When it comes to compact tractors, I'm a Rookie Jr.! The two things I've noticed so far, at least in the 24 hp class, is they feel like they have a relatively high center of gravity compared to a lot of the big farm and heavy construction equipment and they seem to be fairly light compared to the amount of power they have.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Rookies are not the only one's who need to know these things. )</font>

You've got that right! It always seems when we hear of a logger or equipment operator around here getting seriously hurt or worse, more often than not it is somebody that's been at their profession for years. In my line of work, I had to take a 40 hour safety course with annual 8 hour refreshers. The recurring theme in these classes is to always beware of complacency. When I starting riding dirt bikes, my father told me to take it easy and went on to say that the day I thought I was good was the day I would get hurt. By my second day, I was "good", that's the day I hit the house. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I walked away, right into a good lecture.

Anyway, I'm glad I loaded the tires and should have done it at the time of purchase. I'll continue to carry my loads low and be careful as I gain experience.

I used to tell my brother-in-law that the secret to a happy marriage is having the ability to recognize a "no-win" situtation BEFORE you're stuck in the middle of it. I guess that could apply to tractoring as well.

Brad

 

[Henro]

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast

Hi,

I know it was mentioned above, but it is worth repeating.

Always be prepaired to drop the loader immediately if you sense trouble.

Personally, when I got my tractor I practiced this emergency drill enough to make pushing on the loader control stick almost second nature.

A while back I was doing some loader work and when raising the bucket, a tooth at the far end of my bucket caught on a pine brance close to the trunk, and the tractor`s rear left wheel SHOT upwards [nothing gentle about the movement, believe me...]

It was so quick it caused my mough to say WHOA and my right arm to push forward at the same time. The point I am trying to make is that I all three things happened BEFORE I had time to think about them. THAT surprised me more than anything.

I think this was because I practiced the drop the loader drill enough to make it second nature. Never practiced the WHOA voice drill, but that seemed to work well too... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

The rear wheels coming off the ground now and then is nothing new to me. This particular experience was different in that it was both unexpected and very sudden.

 

[bigpete]

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast

Henro, I graduated to the "Whoa $#!+" intermediate training level after digging out a few stumps after Isabele passed by earlier this fall. Now commonly known as the W.S. vocal maneuver in my family. The idea is that the load is dropped and all four wheels are on the ground and you are throttling down before you even begin the second word of the vocal maneuver. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Yes, true but conservative that I practice dropping my bucket once or twice before getting into any situation that might require it. It's kind of a drill for me now, and as subconscious as clicking my belt when I climb into the saddle. Recently I stepped up into the seat to jot down my hours after a recent oil change and clicked my lap belt without the engine running and without even thinking about it.

 

[Moon]

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast

Yup, me too. I joined the WS club a few weeks after getting my 3010. Dealer forgot I asked to have the tires loaded. I knew he didn't do it, but it gave me the experience with and without being loaded. Big difference on my hills. Take it slow and keep it low is the best advice in this thread.

Henro, what happened to that party pic of you doing 12oz curls? That was a cool pic. That also reminds me I have to check on that thread of your building project ......yea ....i been away for awhile!

 

[PineRidge]

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast

Henro we practice the stop and drop routine also.
Keep the metal side of the tractor up and the rubber side down folks, you won't regret it.