Loader What can you do with a loader?

[dustinfox]

Hi people... Back again with more newbie questions... I'm still pondering my first tractor purchase. When I started my research, I assumed a loader was just that (i.e to scoop and load) and if I needed to do anything else I would need an array of implements. However, I am starting to find out that a loader bucket is a much more versatile tool. What kind of things can I realistically do with a loader besides the obvious?

For example: Stumping? Clearing? Removing stones? Leveling small ridges? I have a 400' gravel driveway that I am pretty sure will need the attention of a box blade or grader blade. But I also need to do things like remove stones and stumps, level the ground (to expand the yard and create a small pasture), and move fill from "hilly" areas to low areas. My land is mostly soft wood (pine, spruce, etc) with thick mossy ground. Most of it is probably 8 - 10 inches of mossy loam with a sandy clay beneath. In fact, the eastern side was a sand pit many years ago. Thoughts? Will I be disappointed if I buy a tractor expecting to do any of this without a backhoe or some other tool?

Much appreciated!

 

[MarkV]

I don't think you will be disappointed. Most of what you mention a loader will do. Naturally it depends on the size of the tractor/loader vs. the size of the stone. The one project you mention that can be disappointing is removing stumps. A loader most likely will not pull up to a stump, of any size, and pop it out.

Good luck with your search.

MarkV

 

[Western]

I don't think you will be disappointed. Most of what you mention a loader will do. Naturally it depends on the size of the tractor/loader vs. the size of the stone. The one project you mention that can be disappointing is removing stumps. A loader most likely will not pull up to a stump, of any size, and pop it out.

Good luck with your search.

MarkV

X's 2 and to add, It's like having a high dollar wheel barrow some days, extra set of hands on others. The uses and convenience are numerous, I have even used mine to move and raise heavy furniture up to the back deck, (strapped on of course). But it's not a bulldozer, so always know you and your tractors limits so "stuff" doesn't get broken

 

[Chuck K.]

You may want to check out this thread..

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/209308-what-strange-things-have-you.html

 

[rd_macgregor]

Chuck K. beat me to it. That thread will show you some of the versatility of the loader...basically, if you need to lift it, the FEL might just save your back!

If you are going to work in the woods, the loader will make sharp turns a bit dicier, but will make your work go a lot better (but be warned that you'll then want a grapple!). Also, the loader bucket is (often, though not always) a great help if/when you get your tractor stuck.

The biggest drawback to the loader (and the tractor and implements in general) is that I now see lots of jobs that can be done that, before tractor, I could just write off as undoable...my wife keeps expanding the honey-do list and I've lost one of my best excuses!

BOB

 

[nybirdman]

Add a tooth-bar to your bucket edge for better digging and two or three hooks welded (or bolted) to the top edge of the bucket.Can't imagine a tractor without a FEL.That an good box-bladed,you can move a lot of dirt.

 

[ovrszd]

The list of things a loader can do is only equaled by the number of dollar bills it takes to buy one!!!

A very expensive tractor attachment but clearly the most used.

When I built my new shop I stood in the bucket while running all the electrical conduit in the 12' ceiling.

 

[Combustix]

I made a 4x8 platform to strap to my bucket and hung the soffit for my garage and then used it to paint it. Like ovsd you can get to high places.

 

[flusher]

I use the FEL on my tractors for stuff like this

 

[Mark Page]

Getting large game out of the woods is a perfect use. Drag them out to the trail and then haul 'em to the barn.

 

[jimmyj]

It's more like "what can't you do with a loader" because they are so versatile. Easily the most used "tool" on my tractor for sure.

For "can't do" the consistent "it's not a bulldozer" theme alongside the "low and slow with an even load" are probably the wisest words. Search for bucket buddy, FEL hooks, hitch receiver FEL and you will find all sorts of great things people have come up with.

 

[acme97]

By far the best thing I did was load it with various adult beverages, ice them down and have a big bonfire going for all the neighbors!

 

[dodge man]

Here is a couple of pictures of my BX and a stump I dug out. The stump is about 12" in diameter, and it took about 2 hours to dig out. I guess I wouldn't recomend a FEL for digging out a lot of stumps but it works. It took a lot of digging.

Forks are also handy to have for a FEL. I just unloaded a generator a few weeks ago with my FEL and forks. The things you can use it for are endless. I use mine mostly for moving dirt, gravel, and firewood.

 

[dustinfox]

Wow... Lots of great input! Thanks so much everyone!

 

[wedge40]

Has any body mentioned it makes a great walnut cracker.

Wedge

 

[veresjwv]

Chuck K. beat me to it. That thread will show you some of the versatility of the loader...basically, if you need to lift it, the FEL might just save your back!

If you are going to work in the woods, the loader will make sharp turns a bit dicier, but will make your work go a lot better (but be warned that you'll then want a grapple!). Also, the loader bucket is (often, though not always) a great help if/when you get your tractor stuck.

The biggest drawback to the loader (and the tractor and implements in general) is that I now see lots of jobs that can be done that, before tractor, I could just write off as undoable...my wife keeps expanding the honey-do list and I've lost one of my best excuses!

BOB

I HEAR THAT!!!!!:laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[Ford tractor]

X's 2 and to add, It's like having a high dollar wheel barrow some days, extra set of hands on others. The uses and convenience are numerous, I have even used mine to move and raise heavy furniture up to the back deck, (strapped on of course). But it's not a bulldozer, so always know you and your tractors limits so "stuff" doesn't get broken

Yeah, you can say that, but normally I find the limits just after hearing that loud expensive sound...:laughing:

The list of things a loader can do is only equaled by the number of dollar bills it takes to buy one!!!

A very expensive tractor attachment but clearly the most used.

When I built my new shop I stood in the bucket while running all the electrical conduit in the 12' ceiling.

Not here. Ground engaging implements racked up the most time on the hour meter this year. Did 90-120 hours with the back blade clearing the road to the land last winter. Did an additional 200 hours split between the back blade, box blade and rotary rough cutter. The loader may have gotten 50-80 hours.

The backhoe got about the same amount of hours split 70/30 hoe/loader.


With all that said, I can't see buying a utility tractor and not having a front end loader.

 

[techwrtr2]

I cannot see buying a tractor without a loader. I intermittently have considered adding another CUT to the fleet and even though I've got a loader on the 855, a loader and hoe on the Beaver and even a 455 crawler with loader, I'd buy a tractor with a loader just because I constantly find a use for it.

My 855 w/70a is the most used tool in my inventory. I use it more than any wrench, screw driver, hammer or what have you. It's a rare week where that machine isn't doing something even if the only load in the bucket is a couple of chains as I go out to rip some bushes out of the ground (pulling forward, not with the loader). The loader in its most basic service is nice weight up front when using the box blade or grader blade.

 

[Short Game]

As I put in the description of myself, I'm the neighbor with the tractor. Anything they can think of to call me for. I happily help when I can. But this is paramount, I lift kegs of IPA to the front deck so I can hand truck them to the fridge.

 

[k0ua]

Pretty much what the others have said, can't even imagine not having a FEL. I have dug up plenty of stumps with a loader. Just use common sense and be persistant. Is it the best, no, but it can work, especially if you build a small shovel like this for it.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/189604-shovel-ready-project.html

My avatar shows the stump I recently dug out with the loader and the bucket shovel and then pulled over and went to work on the major stones embedded in the roots. It made short work of getting the big rocks loose from the dirt and roots, best method I have ever used for that. If you just wanted to dig a shallow (18 inch) trench it will do that very rapidly.

You can also dig a shallow trench with just the bucket by "rocking" the edge of the bucket and using some foward/reverse movement of the tractor. I have used that method for years to dig a trench to put flower bulbs in quickly. Beats the heck out of doing it by hand.

Anyway a FEL is essential in my opinion.

James K0UA