Uses for front end loader?

Sergei · Jan 1, 2008

If you live in an area that receives snow.... it beats a snow shovel.

warcat · Jan 1, 2008

Sergei said:
If you live in an area that receives snow.... it beats a snow shovel.

No snow here- south Texas. I've since updated my profile.

davitk · Jan 1, 2008

wanna trade places for the winter?

LBrown59 · Jan 1, 2008

billbill1 said:
Get the FEL, use it to lift the lawn mower to sharpen the baldes, use it to lift a washing machine into a pickup and move it to/from the house, use it to haul water to the garden, something heavy to pick up? The FEL has so very many useful things it can do.

Right on BILL!
WARCAT
My BX23 has a little over 900 hours on it.
I'd say about 60% of that's FEL usage, 25% Back Hoe & 15% mowing.

Still not convinced-then spend 540 hours hauling dirt in a wheelbarrow.
BET U change your mind before you and the wheel borrow spend 100 hours together.

A 269 dollar set of forks that clamps on the FEL bucket is one of my most useful attachments I have for my tractors.
Just stick a set of these on the wheelbarrow and see how high it will lift a pallet with 400 pounds of stuff on the skid.

== L B ==

LBrown59 · Jan 1, 2008

warcat said:
Does it affect you line of sight while doing something like plowing/planting?

The biggest vision problem creted by a FEL is the bucket blocks the tractors lights.

LAWALLSTRACTOR · Jan 1, 2008

The loader is a quickly detachable.

teg · Jan 1, 2008

Warcat, you said, "...putting less than 20 hours per year on the tractor..." ...only if you don't get a FEL

You'll be surprised what and how you can use a FEL. You might even use it to carry your grocery bags from your car to the back door

My guess is that you'll be using the tractor with a FEL more like 20 hours per month, if not weekly. I would save for a little longer and get the payments where you need to, just save money for a bigger down payment.

bkheur · Jan 1, 2008

I have used my FEL to remove a car tire from the rim. Breaks the bead on the tire no Problem.

AndyM · Jan 1, 2008

A front end loader is a convenience for many people here... It would be nice to have one for various projects around my property, but I also don't consider it a necessity. Even though I don't have one on either one of my tractors, it doesn't mean I'm not successful at what I do.

weldingisfun · Jan 2, 2008

billbill1 said:
On my tractor, i purposely made my exhaust horizontal, I ran it back under the FEL framework and turned it down right past the operators platform. Keeps it away from the tree limbs. I would guess it would be the same on your tractor.

I know of exhaust setups like that that have started grass fires. Just be watchful when working in dry fields.

DB KANSAS · Jan 2, 2008

WARCAT,
I recently went through the process you are and I chose the 5525. It has more power for future needs and does not have either the fire danger of the bottom exhaust like the 3525 or the old Fords, or the tree catching vertical muffler. Its muffler is contained next to the engine kind of like the Kioti's. It also has larger front tires which should provide better stability when you use the FEL. It costs a little more but I didn't want to be wanting in the future. This will be probably the only new tractor I get to buy. Good luck.
DB

rtdiggr · Jan 3, 2008

AndyM said:
A front end loader is a convenience for many people here... It would be nice to have one for various projects around my property, but I also don't consider it a necessity. Even though I don't have one on either one of my tractors, it doesn't mean I'm not successful at what I do.

While not necessarily a necessity it sure does make life easier for alot of people including me.

Shane

AndyM · Jan 3, 2008

rtdiggr said:
While not necessarily a necessity it sure does make life easier for alot of people including me.

Shane

I agree... My next tractor may possibly have one. However, I didn't have the money for one at the time and didn't think it was a requirement with only 3.5 acres. My back has since told me it would have been nice to have one.

bbirder · Jan 3, 2008

You'll be glad you have it when you get a flat on a front tire,and if you are like me and other old f-rts it's the biggest back saver you can purchase!

MUDONTHETIRES · Jan 3, 2008

Hey Warcat,
I got my first Mahindra in 1999. It was a 4505. It didn't have a FEL. I really couldn't see spending the extra $'s for a FEL when I wasn't going to use it.

I WAS WRONG!

I didn't think I needed one because I didn't know all things you can do with a FEL. After years of picking up stuff with my hands or a shovel as my tractor sat quietly in the barn, I decided to trade it in three months ago for a tractor with a FEL. After only three months, I can tell you I made a mistake in 1999. The possibilities with a FEL are endless! GET IT!

bkheur · Jan 3, 2008

I consider my FEL my diesel powered, 4WD, high capacity wheelbarrow. And so will your back.

dangerdoc · Jan 8, 2008

warcat said:
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?

Get the FEL. You will use your tractor more than 20 hours per year. Almost anything you lift or move will go easier with a FEL. If you ever need to pull a post, it will save you hours. I've almost quit using my truck around the farm. Throw the saws in the bucket and go. If you get a chainsaw stuck in a log, the bucket can take the pressure off the bar for easy removal. Throw your wood in the bucket and you don't have to unload it, just dump. If you get stuck, you can inch yourself out with your bucket. If you are mowing in deep weeds and worried about stumps, run with the bucket low, gives you time to hit the brakes. I could go on.

for the holes in the pasture, a blade will probably be easier.

kakkeef2 · Jan 9, 2008

Regarding the muffler, I can't help you, but there is a thread going on right now that is discussing the 3525 or whatever the number was.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/mahindra/112667-3525-exhaust-conversion.html
Maybe one of the guys on that thread could supply you with pictures.
I was going to comment on your first question of uses for a FEL, but that horse has been beat enough.
Good luck on your purchase. I love my 4500-4wd. No FEL (making one right now), but they seem to be good tractors.
Kyle

Etch · Jan 9, 2008

bbirder said:
You'll be glad you have it when you get a flat on a front tire,and if you are like me and other old f-rts it's the biggest back saver you can purchase!

AMEN!! I had a flat on my front tire and the FEL makes a great jack.

I originally wasn't expecting to get a FEL, but I'm so glad I did. I've used my FEL more than any other attachment. As everyone has pretty much said, it is a back saver. I use mine to regravel my driveway, fill in holes and low spots, carry equipment and supplies like fence posts, concrete bags, chains, tools, etc. I also use it extensively when I put in fence posts. Not only does it come in handy to carry the posts and tools, but it is great for lifting heavy posts into the holes and pulling old posts out of the ground. I also found it handy when the shear bolt snaps with the post hole digger all the way in the ground. I just chain it to my FEL and pull it out of the ground.

I've used it to move piles of metal, tree limbs, bricks, logs from trees I've cut down, and various other materials. I've used it to carry things with a chain. I use to remove brush, mostly Mesquite which are very thorny!! The uses are endless and you definitely won't regret getting one. I also have the 3525 btw. Great tractor! I guarantee you will put more than 20 hours on it. I already have 80 hours on mine and I bought it in July. It was my first tractor and I'm constantly needing it for various jobs around my 24 acres.

warcat · Jan 9, 2008

LAWALLSTRACTOR said:
The loader is a quickly detachable.

OK, so like I said before, I'm leaning towards the 3525 WITH the front end loader. I was waiting for the new year to see if I got a raise to cover the new monthly expense, and my boss came through for me...

So how does this thing go on and off?