Broke my FEL

[dennis52]

The ratchet-rake has teeth that point down 90 degrees so that you can backdrag in a safe manner. (Having said that, I don't have one yet, but I plan on getting one)

Also keep in mind that these things are not made out of glass You can backdrag with a downward bucket tilt (not all the way down), but take it easy if you are working in material (roots, large jagged rocks) that can snag the bucket.

There are helpful diagrams in the manual on backdragging.

I am not quite sure what a ratchet rake looks like but how does the angle of the teeth on the ground surface make a difference to the force transferred to the cylinders.

I am asking because I have a 4 in 1 implement called a leveling bar ( I am not sure if they are used in the U.S.A.) which is designed for leveling loose materials ( usually gravel driveways).

I have always wondered why this implement doesn't place excessive force on the loader cylinders.
When you use it the loader pistons are maybe 1/3 open.

With regard to buckets, my loader manual says only to backdrag with a bucket flat on ground, with pistons closed which, to me, does not make sense.

 

[chriscos]

I am not quite sure what a ratchet rake looks like but how does the angle of the teeth on the ground surface make a difference to the force transferred to the cylinders.

I am asking because I have a 4 in 1 implement called a leveling bar ( I am not sure if they are used in the U.S.A.) which is designed for leveling loose materials ( usually gravel driveways).

I have always wondered why this implement doesn't place excessive force on the loader cylinders.
When you use it the loader pistons are maybe 1/3 open.

With regard to buckets, my loader manual says only to backdrag with a bucket flat on ground, with pistons closed which, to me, does not make sense.

When the bucket is tilted down, the bucket cylinders are fully extended. If they are fully extended and you start putting "side" pressure on them (the bucket dragging acts as a lever, the fulcrum being the bottom pin, which puts a lot of force on the top pin/cylinder), the cylinder can bend, flex etc.
I think it is more of an issue on these smaller tractors because the cylinders are much smaller than on "industrial" machines.