When is rear ballast needed with a FEL?

Mosey · May 16, 2003

( How many cubic feet does your bucket hold? Dirt weighs about #100 per cubic foot. Mud, rock etc, will weigh more.)

The Bush Hog specs don't list it. When I was shopping around, I got a Woods brochure and it lists the capacity of the Woods 1012 and 1016 60" bucket at 11 cubic feet. That was for their Skid Steer compatible heavy duty bucket. So, I think I can assume my Bush Hog Skid Steer compatible heavy duty bucket is the same. Based on that, a full bucket weighs 1100 lbs, or at least 1000 lbs, which is way more than the 440 lbs of the 8 55lbs sandbags. But, trying to convince my dealer and the Bush Hog sales rep was like talking to a brick wall. Anything I said was completely ignored.

Anonymous Poster · May 17, 2003

How will adding ballast help your steering problem? The front axle is the fulcrum point between the fel and the rear end. If anything, adding weight to the back will allow you to throw more weight in the bucket, putting more load on the front axle.............................
I haven't read the whole thread, but your side view when load testing leads me to think that the loader bucket is too far forward of the front axle. Could you possibly measure the front axle spindle to bucket pivot pin dimension on an OEM fel and compare that to what you have??? If there is a substantial difference, you may be able to get someone at NH (or one of the sharp guys here) to run some load calcs on the front axle to see if its overloaded using your fel. Sounds like it is due to your steering problems. If so, the loader should never have been designed to mount on this tractor, or the advertised max weight specs should have been changed to accurately reflect the limitations of the fel when installed on this machine. If you can prove that the loader is incompatible and DANGEROUS to use at or below its advertised capacity, you may be able to force the issue(???). Start screaming, go up the line w/ both mfr., and see what happens.
Hope you can get this resolved. I understand your frustration, but just keep in mind that perseverance in this type of situation goes a long way (never, NEVER give up).
Good luck,
DaveL

MikePA · Jun 7, 2003

Danny, what's up with your FEL situation?

JohnMiller3 · Jun 7, 2003

...Danny... 

Never mind the FEL... what's up with Danny...? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

MikePA · Jun 7, 2003

He hasn't posted on TBN since 5/21, although he posted on CBN this past week.

Mosey · Jun 9, 2003

Thanks for the concern guys. I've been busy, busy, busy! Summer activities, relatives graduating, yard work, etc. As for the FEL, I had charged it on my VISA, so I decided it was time to find out if they can help. I hadn't made a payment yet, so I disputed the charge. I had to send them a letter stating all of the details. That was almost 2 weeks ago, but they said I should be hearing from them this week. In the meantime, the FEL still sits detached in my garage. I heard about a successful M246 return on another board (tractorpoint), that was installed on a Class II Boomer. Been working with the tractor the same as normal otherwise, mowing, tilling, or whatever.

Spencer · Jun 9, 2003

Welcome back Mosey, your experience with the Bush Hog FEL has hopefully helped to talk this guy out of buying the same one with his tractor. I know its not much consolation but....

Mosey · Jul 14, 2003

Well, I'm still stuck with the M246. Disputing the charge on the VISA did nothing more than delay things. All they can do, and did do, is do a "chargeback", which means they took the money back from the dealer where I bought the FEL. But, the dealer can (and said they will if I don't pay them back) take me to court and make me pay the money.

So, my only hope now is to contact Bush Hog and go to the top of their chain of command and see if I can get anywhere. I believe I've lost this battle though! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

JerryG · Jul 14, 2003

Go the the top at Bush Hog if they do indeed recommend that loader for your tractor. They definitely shouldn't.

JohnMiller3 · Jul 14, 2003

...I believe I've lost this battle though! ... 

Danny,

The darn loader is just too big for your tractor... plain and simple... instead of biting the bullet and admitting the problem when the rep and dealer saw it first hand... they were predetermined... you were gonna get stuck with that mistake... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

We haven't given up, so Don't you give up! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

You've got the TBN braintrust behind ya... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Give us a day or two to ponder this... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif