Toothbar for FEL bucket

[TomG]

Wen and Del mentioned possible damage to equipment and Gerard mentioned possible damage to self. Hope you're considering these views seriously.

This summer I was faced with something similar, and I was all pumped up with 'can do, got a tractor' attitude. I thought about how I'd do it for awhile. Nope, I concluded, this is one for the guy with the dozer. I just couldn't get the images of a broken tractor, or me buried under the pile to go away. I don't consider compact tractor loaders to be very serious digging or big pile tools.

It was a tough thing for me to give up, but I started out saying I'd be happy if the tractor does 90% of what has to be done. I have to act consistent with that I guess. However, it's been a summer for construction, and I figure I've already spent my 10% for the next five years or so. That's tough too, but I still think it's money well spent. I sort of have to temper my urge to use the tractor with the sense of keeping the tractor busy but only doing what it does well.

 

[DVerbarg]

Keoke,

Thanks for the info. I'll give Len a call.

DaveV

 

[DVerbarg]

Bradey,

The hose fitting breaking I believe was a freak. When I look at where the fitting is I wonder how in the world it got hit. The fitting is behind the axle and towards the top.

I guess I was treating the unit like my old 9N which did not have any hose or fittings to be concerned about.

Like others have said on this board, you learn from your mistakes and never do that again.

DaveV

 

[ERNIEB]

Dave,
After looking over your numbers and pic, I would agree that the height of your piles is your biggest problem. Under the heading of hindsight, it would have been nice if the fella building those stockpiles had not made them so high. From what you've described, I got a feeling you have more than 1300 yds of dirt. From the pic, it looks as if the base of the piles is sort of rectangular. Let me ask in this way. If you viewed the pile from above, would it look more like a rectangle or would it look more like a circle? If it is more like a rectangle, you gave the height and length, but I don't think you gave the width. I ask all this because that would be the first factor i would look at before attacking the pile.
Ernie

 

[gordon]

I agree it's best to use it what it's designed for! A good boxblade is made to take the abuse of breaking ground and follow up with the loader. Much easier on the tractor and faster as well.

What I do alot of times when moving material is to fill the bucket but also pull the box full as well that way I'm moving more material faster and spreading it at the same time. After all time is money!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Gordon

 

[DVerbarg]

Ernie,

The pile of dirt was pretty round but has already been made more like a 3/4 moon by my little toy! The pile is also on a slight slope (about 8 degrees).

Yes it would have been nicer if the pile weren't so high, but then when the pile was being made I was not thinking about buying a tractor, I was expecting to pay someone to do the whole mess, that was before my rude awakening as to the cost of landscaping!

DaveV

 

[gordon]

Dave the ramp idea is the way to go it is more dangerous to keep taking away from the side of the pile. Sooner or later it will decide to cave in and you will end up with a dented hood or worse.

Make a ramp on one side of the pile and back up it then use the boxblade to pull the top of the pile down. This will do two things for you loosen the dirt and get rid of the height of the pile. Once you start dragging the dirt off you will find that it will go much quicker than trying to load the bucket off the side of the pile.
Be careful !!!
Gordon

 

[DVerbarg]

Gordon,

You mentioned backing up the ramp and using the box to drag the dirt down. That's a great idea. I kept picturing going up and getting a bucket full and backing down, but wasnt't too comfortable with that. Your idea sounds to be the best idea. I'll let you know how it goes as soon as I get the hydraulic hose fixed for the steering.

DaveV

 

[roysallis]

I have been moving dirt from 3 piles that are about 12 - 15 ft high. I go in with the bucket curled down and try to hit the pile as high as I can and curl the bucket up as I hit the pile. Then I back off a little and lower the bucket before I go anywhere. Whatever you do just make sure your bucket is as low as possible when traveling.

 

[DVerbarg]

Roysallis,

Thanks for your feedback. I was using that idea and it worked well in preventing an avalanche from occuring. However, I have problems filling the bucket that way. The leverage of the tractor with the loader up in the air is not as good and it is taking 2 or 3 tries before the bucket fills. I also tried dropping a couple feet of dirt at the base, driving up on that and rotating the bucket all the way down and the loader all the way up. Then I used the bottom edge of the bucket, now vertical, to cut a couple inches off the face, from the top. This too worked but was rather slow.

Maybe my problem is that I've watched the excavator with his equipment fill his bucket every time. I just assumed that my tractor and bucket were made for each other and I would be able to fill by bucket too, although much smaller. The excavator has a toothbar....

DaveV