scooping load into fel bucket

[ugabulldog]

I have watched videos when you have a big pile the technique is go into bottom of pile with bucket level go forward and raise bucket when tractor starts to stall, curl up, raise curl repeat. I have some small piles of gravel I need to move that are only 1-2 ft in height so this doesn't work so well. What is the best technique, please be as detailed as possible including when to stop tractor during process, and also do I need to back up and make several approaches to get a semi full bucket? Thanks

 

[newbury]

If the piles are too small to easily scoop with the FEL bucket use a manual scoop shovel to put the material in the bucket.

 

[MossRoad]

I have watched videos when you have a big pile the technique is go into bottom of pile with bucket level go forward and raise bucket when tractor starts to stall, curl up, raise curl repeat. I have some small piles of gravel I need to move that are only 1-2 ft in height so this doesn't work so well. What is the best technique, please be as detailed as possible including when to stop tractor during process, and also do I need to back up and make several approaches to get a semi full bucket? Thanks

Only 1-2' high isn't very high. I'd try it with the bucket level on the ground in front of the pile. Push forward into the pile keeping the bucket level on the ground. A little more than half the pile will load into the bucket before it starts pushing the pile instead of it going into the bucket. At that point, stop. Curl the bucket back all the way to get the gravel to the back of the bucket. Then repeat until most of the gravel is in the bucket. Eventually, you'll end up with a long line of gravel instead of a pile. Move 90 degrees if possible and come at the pile from the skinny ends. Again, repeat at each skinny end until most of it is in the bucket.

Eventually, it becomes a no gain situation, and at that point, as mentioned, you'll have to shovel by hand or scoop some of the dirt the gravel is sitting on (if it's not on a solid surface).

 

[MossRoad]

Do you have 4-WD engaged when doing Loader work?

For a 1' pile of gravel and a 5000# tractor?

 

[WranglerX]

If the piles are too small to easily scoop with the FEL bucket use a manual scoop shovel to put the material in the bucket.

Yeah, and one would think a large rock would be easy too, just sneak up on rock, work bucket under, and curl..... NOPE... Every blinking fair to large rock I have moved I had to assist it into bucket....

Dale

 

[4570Man]

I usually push the pile together to make it bigger. And if you’re sure there’s no obstructions to hang up on I find a bit of speed helps. There’s no getting around shoveling up the last little bit.

 

[4get gto]

Yeah, and one would think a large rock would be easy too, just sneak up on rock, work bucket under, and curl..... NOPE... Every blinking fair to large rock I have moved I had to assist it into bucket....

Dale

Been there...! When I'm doing that I alway look around and make sure no one is watching...

 

[falfrenzy]

I have watched videos when you have a big pile the technique is go into bottom of pile with bucket level go forward and raise bucket when tractor starts to stall, curl up, raise curl repeat. I have some small piles of gravel I need to move that are only 1-2 ft in height so this doesn't work so well. What is the best technique, please be as detailed as possible including when to stop tractor during process, and also do I need to back up and make several approaches to get a semi full bucket? Thanks

If you keep rock on hand for driveway/road patching invest in some railroad ties or cinderblocks to make a U shape a foot high to be able to collect most of your rock with your FEL.

8-10 feet wide would be ideal so a dump truck can unload into it. Go behind any highway department or landscape company and you'll see this on a larger scale.

 

[kthompson]

Been there...! When I'm doing that I alway look around and make sure no one is watching...

Fat brother in law on back side of the rock helps...been operator and fat brother in law.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I once found a good book at the library about running a TLB. You can chase stuff around all day long with a FEL. You need back up. No, not a Police strategy. I like to think of running a loader as eating off a plate. You can use speed when getting a wayward pea onto a spoon, but you don't have that luxury with a tractor. Also, now try getting that pea when you really can't see, just guestimating. It's where skid steers definitely have an edge.