Using Front End Loader for Personal Lift??

[coyote_hills]

Hello -

I haven't done it, but, I'm wondering what people's thoughts are out there on using a FEL as a personal lift for certain jobs (ie painting, tree trimming, etc). I know it sounds dangerous (and it is), but, could it be safer than using a ladder (which you hear all the time of accidents on)?

Thanks
Ken
L3710 HST, FEL

 

[beenthere]

Both have their risks, and I do both, depending on the situation. Being careful is important to your own safety, and the safety of others may also enter into the equation.

Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do, to get the job done, just be careful and smart doing it. Keep your insurance paid up. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[RobS]

Years ago someone posted pics of a cage they built for their FEL. Looked pretty slick /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[PhilNH5]

Someone suggessted this last year TBN Link . Up until then I never thought of it. Now I prefer to use the bucket. Mind you I have a BX2200 so we are not talking a lot of lift.

Prior to this I used a M shaped ladder. Even if placed on wood for stability I did not feel as secure as I do in the BX bucket. So if I need to gain just a little height I prefer the BX to the M ladder.

Phil

 

[Spiffy]

Beenthere summed it pretty well about being carefull whatever you choose.

For painting I take the high part; whoever paints lower areas (not directly under me, I like to splatter paint) then runs the tractor for me. Works pretty well.

Now at the risk of safety police frowning upon me....[read do as I say, not as I do /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif]: you want a little pucker factor:

Get the bucket about 20 feet up then put an extention ladder another 20feet up from the bucket [I think extending the ladder is more dangerous than climbing it!].

Or anyone remember the cable tilt FarmHand model F10's with a single lever valve......hydraulic, but would dump almost as fast as a trip-dump bucket? Now get yourself about 20 feet up and hope your wife can remember which direction dumps and which lowers!!! Spooky!!!

Now that I think about it for some reason 90% of the times I need the tractor for lift, the only other person available to run the tractor has limited experience. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Let's see...wife tried to run me into a tree....mother tried to dump me into a flag pole.....sister tried to run me into a garage [killed 60HP!]. Does anyone else wonder if all the women in my life hate me! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Oh well, the FIL's nephew actually did dump him like I mentioned on the same F10; somhow expecting it, he wrapped his legs around a reinforcement bar and hung like a possum for a minute. I think he needs one of those cages like Rob mentioned....but then what would he do for entertainment! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[beenthere]

Spiffy
When I was 16, I and a 'college grad' painted the side of a barn using a 40' extension ladder in the bucket of a 'C' farmall tractor to get under the 50' eaves of the barn.

Tired of coming down each time to move, we decided he would carefully manuever the tractor and I would stay on top. That worked until the tractor wheel found a small hole. The bucket moved a bit too far, and I and the ladder came down along the side of the barn. The ladder hit a large corner post at the corner of the barn, and I ended up standing upright with one hand on top of the post. Splintered the 40' wood ladder into many many pieces. That was a ride to remember. Now NO ONE is around the tractor when I have the bucket up with a ladder in it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Now, try to put your wife on the ladder and you run the FEL /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Spiffy]

Beenthere that one has me beat by far!

<font color="blue">try to put your wife on the ladder and you run the FEL </font>

Yeah.....just aint' gonna happen! [actually, minus the ladder, she doesn't mind painting from the bucket] But, the time she almost put me through the tree, there was no ladder involved, so I did trade with her. Unfortunately, her chainsaw prowess [which she occasionally uses on the ground without problem] was less than her FEL prowess:

despite my initial instructions, then evey effort to get her attention while cutting, she made the first cut + instead of - angle; the branch came back a little as it fell. This caught her hand leaving a minute, but just enough of a scar for her to always point out I get the bucket. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[beenthere]

I draw the line using a chainsaw in the bucket. Hard to know where the 'limbs' will fall, and pretty restricted in the bucket to move out of the way. But, there are times when I am tempted. But it's important to have a real good operator who is also very aware of the job at hand. They go together much better then.

Now, I thought the other day I was going to have a bucket project, as I couldn't reach the hickory tree limbs (heavy with nutsand hanging onto the roof rubbing the shingles) with my extended pole saw. Thinking of getting in the bucket, but then remembered I had a 12ga shotgun. Brought it out and shot off the limbs with it. Trimmed that tree up real good. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[SkyPup]

Be sure your wife's life insurance payments are up to date prior to getting her into the FEL bucket! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Jstpssng]

I use my bucket asa work platform to get up on my roof; put all necessary tools in, raise it, then tie my ladder to the loader arms. After having a ladder kick out once as I was climbing onto a second story roof I can attest it is MUCH easier stepping onto the roof from the bucket.