Cab tractors and Loader Removal

[RoyJackson]

Crappy weather outside...so, just thought of a question I've been meaning to ask...

You guys with cab tractors...ever remove your loader?

I've had my 4520 (Curtis cab) for 3 years and have yet to remove my loader. I've always removed my loader for mowing season with the previous Deeres. All were open station machines and loader removal was pretty easy. The hard part was re-mounting the loader as it's pretty difficult to get properly aligned once the tractor is moved away from the loader. If you ever watch a video (several on Youtube) showing the loader removed and remounted, they never show the tractors doing more then backing away enough to unhook the hydraulics.

I'm thinking about giving it a try this year, once the weather is better. Mowing with the loader off is a bit easier and less likely to hit anything. I think it's also easier on the front axle of a tractor. Last season, I did drop the bucket.

Anyway, just curious what other TBNers did...

 

[grsthegreat]

i remove mine every year to harrow, weed spray and mow my pastures. never had an issue. I dont like the loaded bouncing up and down while driving over the rough ground.

 

[RoyJackson]

I dont like the loaded bouncing up and down while driving over the rough ground.

Neither do I...any issues when remounting?

 

[nybirdman]

Biggest issue in removing a FEL is having a solid and level spot(concrete is best) to place on.If it is out of level just a bit you will have lots of problems.
I generally don't remove mine because I always seem to need it no matter what I am doing.

 

[deserteagle71]

For the past 20 years I've mowed ~ 50 acres of rough desert terrain every year with my John Deere 2020 (no cab) and a rotary mower. I ALWAYS remove the front end loader before starting the mowing. Not only does it save a lot of wear and tear on the loader bouncing up and down, it makes for better visibility so I can dodge at least some of the bigger holes. This is not one of the new "quick-attach" loaders - I have to remove 8 each 3/4" bolts and disconnect the hydraulic lines but still, I can have the loader off the tractor in ~ 20 minutes. Years ago I built a big frame with a chainfall that lifts the loader off the tractor and holds it until I'm done mowing. Now that I have the Kubota you can bet I'll be removing the loader when its time to mount the mower.

 

[CobyRupert]

I removed the loader the first couple years I ran the mower, so that it would be more maneuverable around objects. But being a 7’ mower, you can feel it making the front end of the tractor light. You can do wheelies if you pop the clutch.
I’ve contemplated getting a weight bracket and some suitcase weights; however it’s useful to leave the bucket on when mowing, not just for weight, but to knock over the brush and grass before you drive over it to better find “surprises” hiding in the grass.
And useful when you inevitably come across a large branch that needs to be lifted into the hedgerow.

 

[bigtiller]

I've had my 2720 (Cozy Cab) since the fall of '14. I take the loader off/on several times a year. Use the joystick very gingerly. If things aren't lining up nearly perfect, the parking stand may get bent a little before you realize it. I keep the page from the manual explaining how to remove/install the loader hanging on the wall where it is parked for a quick reference. Flat smooth concrete is a must have in my opinion and a spud bar comes in handy occasionally.

 

[grsthegreat]

Neither do I...any issues when remounting?

none at all. only takes a few minutes

 

[ovrszd]

Practice makes perfect. I do it often enough that it's second nature.

I didn't understand the distinction about "cab" tractors versus "open station" tractors?

 

[RoyJackson]

I didn't understand the distinction about "cab" tractors versus "open station" tractors?

There's not a lot of clearance between the loader mounts and the cab. Tractors "back out" as the loader dismounts, but when remounting, one has to be pretty careful the loader masts don't hit the cab.
As you wrote, practice does make perfect, but one does want to use caution

 

[Fallon]

I had my L3200 (no cab) for 3 years & the new canned L4060hstc for a year & a half. Both allegedly had/have the quick attach loaders that come off or on in a couple minutes. I say allegedly because I never felt the need to remove either. I'd dump the SSQA bucket or other impliment, but never got motivated enough to remove the loaders.

 

[ovrszd]

There's not a lot of clearance between the loader mounts and the cab. Tractors "back out" as the loader dismounts, but when remounting, one has to be pretty careful the loader masts don't hit the cab.
As you wrote, practice does make perfect, but one does want to use caution

Yeah, that could be a problem. The way my Kubota hooks you couldn't have that problem. If you drive in too far it will simply push the loader along in front of you. Not familiar with your setup.

 

[Texasmark]

Read the directions that came with it. Secret is keep your hydraulics hooked up till you are clear of the thing and hook them up before you contact it. You need hydraulics to move your bucket forcing the implement off your tractor mounting pads when coming off with it and the converse when loading it back on.

If your hydraulic connections aren't color coded for matching, get some nylon tie wrap and code the lines. I use 1 for the first one, 2 of them for the second and etc. Be sure and do the male and female sides. Shoot some WD 40 or a penetrating oil like PB blaster on the connections before you attempt to break them loose and clean up the fittings before mating back together when reinstalling......I know you new that but it never hurts to say it anyway.

 

[ovrszd]

The biggest hurdle just dawned on me. He can't stand at the right side of his tractor and reach the joystick to move the FEL into position to reconnect.

When I remove/install my FEL I stand by the joystick with the tractor running and operate the joystick to get the FEL to release itself from the tractor and to position itself back into the tractor framework to reconnect.

This will complicate the operation dramatically. Not saying it can't be done. Just saying it gets complicated.

 

[RoyJackson]

The biggest hurdle just dawned on me. He can't stand at the right side of his tractor and reach the joystick to move the FEL into position to reconnect.

Actually, I can operate the loader joystick from the right side...not a problem

When I remove/install my FEL I stand by the joystick with the tractor running and operate the joystick to get the FEL to release itself from the tractor and to position itself back into the tractor framework to reconnect.

This will complicate the operation dramatically. Not saying it can't be done. Just saying it gets complicated.

I didn't understand the distinction about "cab" tractors versus "open station" tractors?

Actually, the hard part is ensuring the tractor is in line with the loader frame and the masts seat on the frame brackets without hitting the cab. A Curtis cab has two windows low so I can see how the operation is going. It's easier with an open station to ensure everything is aligned and, obviously, there's no cab to dent. Even with an open station, as bigtiller wrote in post #7, "a spud bar comes in handy occasionally."
Main thing, go slow and keep an eye on everything.
I reckon I'll find out how difficult it is when the weather finally warms up here (25 degrees in Bethel as I type this)

 

[Atchuuu]

Actually, I can operate the loader joystick from the right side...not a problem





Actually, the hard part is ensuring the tractor is in line with the loader frame and the masts seat on the frame brackets without hitting the cab. A Curtis cab has two windows low so I can see how the operation is going. It's easier with an open station to ensure everything is aligned and, obviously, there's no cab to dent. Even with an open station, as bigtiller wrote in post #7, "a spud bar comes in handy occasionally."
Main thing, go slow and keep an eye on everything.
I reckon I'll find out how difficult it is when the weather finally warms up here (25 degrees in Bethel as I type this)

Roy, oddly enough I was thinking this same thing yesterday and removed my FEL this morning. Not familiar with the Curtis cab but removing the FEL and reinstalling it on my Kubota was really easy. I almost didn't do it today because I didn't have any directions. Glad I did. One less thing to worry/wonder about.

 

[grsthegreat]

The biggest hurdle just dawned on me. He can't stand at the right side of his tractor and reach the joystick to move the FEL into position to reconnect.

When I remove/install my FEL I stand by the joystick with the tractor running and operate the joystick to get the FEL to release itself from the tractor and to position itself back into the tractor framework to reconnect.

This will complicate the operation dramatically. Not saying it can't be done. Just saying it gets complicated.

actually with mine being HST, i can stand outside with door open and control tractor movement and joystick while standing on ground on side of tractor. i can inch tractor along. also as described earlier, the tractors push cage would move loader forward before loader contacts the glass.

 

[TerryR]

The design of my JD 440 loader must be different than what you guys are describing. Hooking it up is easy. Just drive up to it fairly close, get off to hook up the hydraulics, get back on use the joystick to seat the brackets. They have notches big enough to guide everything into alignment. The only hard part is if the loader has shifted and put pressure on the hydraulics. Parking it on a slab fixes most of that.

 

[ovrszd]

Safety Police will get me, but, I stand by the tractor with it running and adjust the joystick until my FEL is seated.

 

[Looking4new]

Safety Police will get me, but, I stand by the tractor with it running and adjust the joystick until my FEL is seated.

Safety cops will 'get' a lot of us then.