FEL whacking things when backing up.

[Lakebuster]

Have owned my L5040 since 2010

I was spreading sand were I had made ruts cutting grass with the ZTR331 and DW’s B2601. I was doing great until until I got next to the fencing and went to back up and when I turned I forgot to raise FEL and bucket hit fence post and yanked rails out of white vinyl fencing. I was able to push on fence and pop rails back in place and drive in wedges at base to straighten fence post with the help of my Son.
The week before I was dragging 7’ harrow to smooth out horse pasture knocking down any manure piles. When I got close to fencing I raised bucket to clear 5’ tall fencing everything was going smooth as I was turning I looked back to ensure harrow was not close to hitting fence when I hear a crunching sound. Son of a gun my bucket cleared the fence but hit the corner of tin roof off my lean too on barn.
I had air pods in my ears on both of these incidents, just got them for Christmas.
I am thinking with these noise cancellation air pods as it immerses you in Sound, made me not pay attention to my surroundings!

Have others whacked something with FEL when backing up?

 

[WVH1977]

Buy another tractor with no FEL for 3 point work. Can never have enough tractors!!!

 

[Hughman]

I have a few t-bars in my fence that have scoliosis.

 

[Fladogman]

Take the bucket off, it gives you more room than you think. Not the fel just the bucket.

 

[ptsg]

I may or may not have put a solid 3" inspection slot on the siding of a metal building before with the corner of the bucket. In my defense, I didn't have that much clearance on each side to work with as show in the picture.

If I'm doing 3 pt work, like tilling, mowing brush, etc. The loader comes off. It just takes less than 5 minutes and transforms the tractor entirely. A lot move maneuverable, so much nicer to use, plus I don't have to work about hitting stuff with the loader.

 

[bigtiller]

I used to try things like that but I changed my ways, too many bad things happened. Now, when I am tilling or snow blowing, the last 6" gets done by hand. And when mowing the last 6" gets done with round-up.

 

[ruffdog]

Yeah, I took out my mailbox while plowing snow with the rear blade. Most times I would only install the FEL when I needed it for a job.

 

[nyone]

I am thinking with these noise cancellation air pods as it immerses you in Sound, made me not pay attention to my surroundings

No I think your not looking at what your doing. You cant hear how close your bucket is to something.

 

[Jstpssng]

No I think your not looking at what your doing. You cant hear how close your bucket is to something.

I believe they can be a distraction, just like having a good song on the radio when driving. However, I think those who suggested taking it off were right. OTOH I almost wiped out one of my fruit trees last weekend. I had the disc harrow on and caught the deer fence in the tail swing, laying it over. When I turned to look the safety switch in my seat shut the engine off. Care to place bets on THAT ever happening again? That safety switch somehow stopped working 5 minutes later. I had disabled it the day I brought the tractor home, but after reading posters here I reconnected it last fall. Since then every time I turn in the seat, or even lean over to check one side of the tractor the engine dies.
.

 

[mcfarmall]

Turn off the radio and pay attention to what you are doing.

 

[WranglerX]

I have more of a problem with ballast running into things when backing up.....

 

[rolamy]

Just today I snagged my chain link fence with FEL while backing out of the yard trying to avoid propane tank , **it happens

 

[4570Man]

I take the FEL off when I’m not using it. It only takes a minute to do and significantly reduces the turning circle.

 

[The Deerslayer]

As others have said, take the bucket off when doing the kind of work where a greater chance of contact exists. I always have ear protection on and usually with music playing. I don't believe not having them would have prevented this from happening.
I constantly have my head on a swivel when backing up to ensure the loader does not contact anything I don't want it to. Took one minor hit to my fence to teach me the lesson.

 

[oosik]

My tractor with its FEL, grapple and HD rear blade would cause SERIOUS damage to my house or out buildings. I just do not use the tractor for any project - in or around my yard - close in.

Several years ago I was plowing snow in my yard. Back up to my carport - drop the rear blade - drive forward. My foot slipped off the clutch - the new doors on one of my carport bays don't really look that bad. Man - that rear blade wiped out the existing doors - like nobodies business.

Live and learn..........

 

[Tx Jim]

I take the FEL off when I’m not using it. It only takes a minute to do and significantly reduces the turning circle.

Ditto in this age of quick attach/detach loaders & front attachments the number of people that operate FEL boom with QA attachments raised 45° or more in the air. I'll guess raised FEL boom causes tractor to bounce more than if FEL was not present.

 

[npalen]

I have more of a problem with ballast running into things when backing up.....

You may have to explain that one to me.

 

[SmallChange]

I had air pods in my ears on both of these incidents, just got them for Christmas.
I am thinking with these noise cancellation air pods as it immerses you in Sound, made me not pay attention to my surroundings!

Uh... yeah... turns out the FEL bucket can give the barn corner quite a backhand even without noise cancellation air pods.

Though, the air pods would probably have improved my auditory experience.

 

[p0diabl0]

I was sick with a cold or somesuch and backing up a trailer in one of our horse aisles. Nailed a water line. Added an extra hour of work to a hot day.

 

[BravoXray]

I caught the corner of my shop with the FEL when backing up and ripped the metal loose. Did the same thing once to the metal on the overhead door opening. Those were expensive screw ups, so I'm more careful now.