Removed my FEL

[Baby Grand]

This may sound trivial, but for the first time in the 4 years I've owned my
L3240 I had the need to remove the LA724 FEL so I could manuver with the tiller in some very tight areas due to The Plant Manager putting a garlic bed and an apsaragus bed at opposite ends of our garden. Following the instructions, it took about 10 minutes to remove - would have been much less but I had to read and re-read everything 5 or 6 times. It's not a real intuitive process and I didn't want to mess it up. It took me about as long to put it back on. I think I could remove & replace it much faster now that I've wrung all the fear & loathing out of the process.

First Lesson Learned: Do this only on a flat, paved surface.

Second Lesson Learned: Holy cow! Much better visibility & manuverability. I'm droppin' that puppy next time I cut the field.

Corollary to the Second Lesson Learned: Now I think I need to make a ballast tank to mount on the front frame for brush hogging.

-Jim

 

[jimmer2880]

I would watch for some suitcase weights for the front.

After 2 years, I can put mine back on in approx 2 mins. Off in half that time. Google for kubota loader video. There are some great ones on how to remove and reinstall.

Now, I always remove mine before mowing or garden work.

 

[TripleR]

We routinely remove the FEL on our BX2660 and L5030, but not on the M8540. We can do it so easily, we may do it more than once a day if needed. Not only does it help maneuverability, but I get a much smoother ride. I haven't added any ballast, but probably should.

 

[flyingcow]

Different sized tractors, but i don't need any weight on the front for bushhogging, after the FEL is removed. Matter of fact i like the front-end being "light". I can cross over wet ground a lot easier. The steering is lighter, etc. These Q/A FEL's are sweet things.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I took mine off for the first time this spring after nine years of being there. I was like you - slow, and amazed at the difference w/o it. When I put it back on one of my QDs leaked but reseating it solved that. People keep saying to keep an eye out for suitcase weights. I have never seen any. Must not look in the right places.
If you build a front ballast make sure you show us so we can steal your ideas.

gg

 

[MoKelly]

This may sound trivial, but for the first time in the 4 years I've owned my
L3240 I had the need to remove the LA724 FEL so I could manuver with the tiller in some very tight areas due to The Plant Manager putting a garlic bed and an apsaragus bed at opposite ends of our garden.

-Jim

I like the name you have given to your "significant other'. I may borrow it.

MoKelly

 

[Jay4200]

I took mine off for the first time this spring after nine years of being there.

Really? My tractor was a similar age when I got it - I tried to free the loader, but found that it wasn't moving without anything short of C4 and/or a cutting torch. I've accepted that it is a permanent bolt-on accessory, much like the ROPS .

JayC

 

[bp fick]

Mine is off and on all the time. Just the way it when a single tractor has to serve all the different tasks we have to do. It is very easy.

 

[crazyal]

I take mine off all the time. I find it obstructs the view so if I don't need it off it comes. The only thing I don't like it some fluid drips out when popping the disconnects.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Really? My tractor was a similar age when I got it - I tried to free the loader, but found that it wasn't moving without anything short of C4 and/or a cutting torch. I've accepted that it is a permanent bolt-on accessory, much like the ROPS .

JayC

Came right off. I keep it in the garage. I thought the pins would need coaxing but they came right out with my fingers.

 

[Baby Grand]

I took mine off for the first time this spring after nine years of being there. I was like you - slow, and amazed at the difference w/o it. When I put it back on one of my QDs leaked but reseating it solved that. People keep saying to keep an eye out for suitcase weights. I have never seen any. Must not look in the right places.
If you build a front ballast make sure you show us so we can steal your ideas.

gg

Gordon,
I've been looking for steel weights for some time, too - originally for rear ballast trimming and to get a little more bite from by back blade. Around here they're scarcer than hen's teeth and a little rich for my budget. I'm thinking of a 55 gal water tank mounted horizontally and low with a bung at the top for filling and a spigot at the bottom to drain. That would make it easy to put on & remove. Other thought was a steel box/crate that I could fill with concrete blocks. I'll definitely start a new thread when I get my gumption going.
-Jim

 

[Baby Grand]

I like the name you have given to your "significant other'. I may borrow it.

MoKelly

Please, do so with my blessings. She certainly is "significant" and I have her to thank for getting me into this whole acreage/planting/tractor obsession. She is heat incarnate.
-Jim

 

[BoFuller]

I just got the QA for my L3400 and installed it yesterday. In a couple days I'm going back with the new QA bucket and forks. Can't wait to try them out.