Uses for front end loader?

[warcat]

I've been reading up a bit and have found tons of good information on the site, however this is my first post. I'm in the market for a new Mahindra. I've narrowed the search to either the 3325 or the 3525- the main difference between the two being the power steering and the front end loader of the 3525.
My intended uses for the tractor would be:
mowing/bush hogging 2 acres or land around the house & 2 miles of ranch roads
plowing 40 acres every other year
planting 5 acres for deer food plots.

I'll probably be looking at putting less than 20 hours per year on the tractor. My question is, what are the main uses you use your FEL for? Growing up, my dad never had a FEL, and I can't really see what I might need it for. About the only thing I can come up with is filling in hog holes. I do have quite a bit of hogs on my land, and they've done a number on the fields. Would a FEL be the most effective tool for filling in their damage? Wouldn't a grading blade serve the same purpose?

 

[blueriver]

The uses for the FEL are countless ... Once you have one you will wonder how you ever made it without one!

Lets see,
There are so many things that I use mine for from loading feed in it, moving debris, hauling the garbage, lifting rocks, carry fence supplies, spear and move round bales, load the manure spreader, move heavy objects around the farm, load and unload equipment to and from trailers, level piles of dirt, and on and on and on!

And you can bet you will get more ideas here!!

 

[rtdiggr]

i don't think i would use my tractor very much if my loader wasn't on the machine. The uses are endless, if you add hooks or forks that just adds to the machine. Shane

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Make the loader investment now and you will never regret it. Also I believe the 3525 has live PTO which the 3325 doesn't, which is a big plus for the 3525. Good luck!

 

[warcat]

Well, the wifey gave me a limit of around $240/month. For that amount, I'd like to get a new tractor, disc, and mower. I was thinking that I could get a 3325 (no FEL) with all that plus a grading blade and post hole digger/auger for around $210/mo. With the 3525 (with FEL), the disc, and mower, I think it would be a bit north of $250. With as little as I intend to use the tractor, I think the 3325 would be a better fit for me?

So, I guess my real question is if filling in hog craters is a job that can be done with a grading blade.

BTW, if you hadn't figured it out yet, I have no experience with tractors. I'm a total newbie.

 

[ToadHill]

Filling hog craters can also be done with a FEL as well as a lot more things. I've saved my back more times than I can count by using the FEL.

 

[themichelob]

Warcat--
I was gonna buy my B7800 without the FEL. I consulted my brother-in-law who is a fourth generation farmer in Wisconsin, and he emphatically told me to get the FEL!! That was the best advice I ever got!! I'll let others list all the uses but suffice it to say the FEL is probably the most useful implement I own. You won't regret the extra expense.
Regards, Mike

 

[blueriver]

You can always find used attatchments later as the money allow's GET THE FEL!!!!

My PHD, used cost me $150, My Boxblade, used cost me $250 get the idea???

 

[streamin]

I've saved my back more times than I can count by using the FEL.

I second that and also alot of work can be done with no help around.

 

[warcat]

OK, so it looks like everyone is very pro FEL, so there must be a good reason (or reasons) why. I'm leaning towards the 3525 now. So, what's the deal with the 3525 exhaust location? I can't see a stack up top in the pictures, so where does the exhaust come out of? Can someone post a picture of it? Do the exhaust fumes become annoying after continued use?