Loader What can you do with a loader?

[hrcarver]

Loaders are also good because they eliminate the need for the additional front weights. If you dont have a loader, you will still have to buy over $1000 in otherwise useless steel weights to keep the front end on the ground (if you ever use the three pt hitch).

Only potential down side I can think of (aside from cost) is the additional length they add, which can be greatly reduced by dropping the bucket in tight quarters.

 

[deepNdirt]

The FEL on my tractor is My strong back example: Just today I removed the 150 lb. window A/C unit from a 6 ft. high from the ground window, all that was necessary was to pull up to the wall raise the bucket just under the A/C , lock down the tractor and bucket, went to the inside open the window pull back the fillers and slide the A/C out into the Loader bucket, a one man job that took less 10 minutes, otherwise without the FEL would been a 2 man job of 30+ minutes, You might call my tractor and it's FEL my best friend, :tractor::cloud9:

 

[sizzami]

a tractor without a loader is like a man without a knife, and a man without a knife is like a man without a ..... well you know

 

[Short Game]

When people ask me how I did this or that feat of lifting, I flex my arms and say, with a Russian accent, "I am strrong, like trractorr!"

 

[638]

I dug a 4 ft wide, 5 ft deep, 10 ft long trench to bury broken concret in.

 

[Don87]

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!

Last year I cut down a very large cherry tree in my yard. I split most of the smaller stiuff, but let the large chunks sit.

Well, now it's time to do the large chunks..............I chose one of the 3 foot wide chunks, that are 20 inches long..........put the FEL up against it, wrapped a chain around the log...........and proceeded to lift it.

Got the log up..............as well as one rear wheel (hope I didn't tweak the loader arms), and moved it to the splitter. Several more to split yet, but I'll be careful.

 

[Topkicker]

I use my loader for all kinds of stuff other than the obvious. I can remove my Jeep hardtop and is great for gutter cleaning. The wife lifts me up, I get on the roof and get the handfulls of big debree out and throw it in the bucket. Alot less time spent with the backpack blower once back on the ground.:thumbsup:

 

[bcp]

When people ask me how I did this or that feat of lifting, I flex my arms and say, with a Russian accent, "I am strrong, like trractorr!"

"Strong, like bull. Smart, like tractor."



Bruce

 

[dustinfox]

More great stuff! Love the shovel K0ua... You should patent it :thumbsup:

Just to clarify, I am not trying to decide IF I need a loader or not. I want to get an idea of what kinds of things I can do if that's the only implement I have.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[easygo]

If I could only have one implement I would certainly choose the loader hands down. (unless I just had to mow grass) However. You will find that it is much complemented by other implements given certain conditions and tasks.

 

[BethesdaEC]

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.

You have justified the loaders very existence in the universe with this one action. Last night I moved an 8 foot long tow behind BBQ with pallet forks for the caterers.

 

[JimP]

The bucket is good for moving stuff. Not just dirt but chainsaws and gear, logs, lumber, bags of fertilizer and seed, drums, empty 275 gallon oil tanks. If you weld a couple of hooks to the bucket it allows you to lift and move other objects that don't fully fit in the bucket.

If your loader has a skid steer quick attach it allows you to replace the bucket with other accessories. So you can use your tractor with a grapple, with pallet forks, a bale spear, a snow plow or anything else your loader capacity allows.

The loader is a multiplier. It allows one person to do the work that would otherwise require 2 or more people.

 

[Baranx4]

The caption shouldn't be what can you do with a loader, but what can't you do with a loader.

One important feat is that it will get you unstuck when 4wd isn't enough. Many times it looks dry but isn't.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

If you get an FEL, I recommend one that has a quick attachment setup.

That's one of the reasons I like the Bobcat loader as opposed to the Kioti version, it's built with swappable implements in mind.

 

[Rebel]

If you get an FEL, I recommend one that has a quick attachment setup.

That's one of the reasons I like the Bobcat loader as opposed to the Kioti version, it's built with swappable implements in mind.

X2, I use my quick-attach forks as much as the bucket. Also have a quick-attach spear for handling round bales of hay :thumbsup:

 

[RobertBrown]

I guarantee you will never ask yourself "Why did I buy that loader?"
Rather "Why didn't I buy it sooner and how did I ever get along without it?"

 

[Robert6401]

Doing a home remodel, I often pulled the tractor up to the house, lifted the bucket to the window and chunked demolition trash into the bucket (which we had A LOT of). Drove the tractor over to a prepositioned truck and dumped. Saved me probably DAYS of labor during the remodel.

 

[hizoot]

With FEL,the pallet forks are must have for me. You can also put a man cage on the forks and use it for a variable height work platform.....good stuff

 

[hizoot]

Also used the FEL to replace the tires/ wheels on my trailer....sort of like Indy....jack up the rear,change both at the same time :laughingthis was before I got the forks)

 

[rd_macgregor]

If you get an FEL, I recommend one that has a quick attachment setup.

That's one of the reasons I like the Bobcat loader as opposed to the Kioti version, it's built with swappable implements in mind.

I don't know about the other models, but my Kioti DK45SC came equipped with a single-handle skid steer type attachment for the bucket; it works just fine with the aftermarket grapple (Gator) rake I got a couple of years ago.
I wouldn't be surprised if the QAs on the Bobcat tractors are identical to those on the Kiotis.

BOB