Rotary Cutter FEL height

[catskinner]

I have a brushing job next week with my new equiptment and a thought occured to me about the FEL, do any of you keep the box just above the ground when doing a unknown field, for the reason of hoping to finding the unexpected, or is this just waste of time? The field is over grown grass/ small brush all flat. I've walked most of it, supposed to be clear, but I've found out the hard way before.

 

[RoyJackson]

If you read enough TBN, you'll find out most of us do exactly what you posted. Still, with an unknown area, go slow...

 

[TripleR]

I recently saved some damage to my M8540 by doing this. There was one stump in about a 20 acre field.

 

[TripleR]

If you read enough TBN, you'll find out most of us do exactly what you posted. Still, with an unknown area, go slow...

Agree completely.

 

[catskinner]

Thanks guys, it always takes me alot longer when doing a new field, even walking seems I can find the unexpected. Once fell in a poorly covered well, that one left a mark. I looking forward to the FEL helping find the junk. Do you run the bucket rolled back or even?

 

[teg]

Front tip angled up... the back heel close to ground... for me. Does a good job of collecting seeds, too.

 

[futuresweets10]

For some dumb reason it seems to me like EVERY TIME I see someone cutting with a hog they have the FEL all the way up in the air....:confused2:

 

[Marveltone]

I keep my FEL low to the ground with the bucket angled up. That way I can fill it with all the garbage I find when I bump into it. :thumbsup: A lot of the old timers around here seem to keep their buckets high in the air also. :confused2: They claim they can see better. When I ask them about center of gravity and the possibility of rollovers, they chuckle and roll their eyes. :confused3:

Joe

 

[buck12]

Bucket also makes a great place to keep a cooler with ice water and chainsaw.

 

[RoyJackson]

I keep my bucket rolled down a few degrees with the toothbar about 8"-12" above the surface. I'd actually like it lower, but the ground I cut is very uneven and rutted. If you follow my method, slow speed is mandatory.

 

[TripleR]

Fairly low to the ground and angled up so it will ride up on the lower stuff and give me a warning without getting a lot of shock to the tractor or me.

The only time I raise the bucket is on flat ground to get closer to a fence while turning etc.

 

[Chilly807]

I leave the loader on, bucket low on new to me fields, known fields I take the loader off.

Sean

 

[rd_macgregor]

I keep the front rolled up a bit, too. My fields are very rough and I have gouged some impressive, 6-ft. wide divots when I've had the front of the bucket (with tooth bar!!) level or down a bit.

BOB

 

[ShenandoahJoe]

I was cutting down some Johnson grass the other day, with the bucket low and tilted up. When I finished, I found about two dozen grasshoppers riding in there. They jumped out when I cut the engine. I guess hot weather makes anybody a bit lazy.

 

[The Dougster]

One major problem with the bucket down are dips you might encounter. Gong up, no problem, but going down into the dip, you just might bury the busket in dirt.. can be quite a surprise.

 

[Bill Hoffman]

But a dip is less of a surprise than a 30 pound rock!

Seriously, bucket rolled back and 6" to 12" off ground.

Bill

 

[TripleR]

One major problem with the bucket down are dips you might encounter. Gong up, no problem, but going down into the dip, you just might bury the bucket in dirt.. can be quite a surprise.

I have done that and with the bucket angled up, it's not a problem. As mentioned by others, you need to be going fairly slow in an unknown area.

 

[chipsndust]

Another vote for bucket slightly off the ground and curled back.

My JD 2305 doesn't have much ground clearance, and if you have one, you know about the cooling fan and oil filter.

I do this when brush hogging a "reclaimed" orchard and trails through the woods. Can't go 50' without "finding" something.

As others said, go slow.

 

[TripleR]

Another vote for bucket slightly off the ground and curled back.

My JD 2305 doesn't have much ground clearance, and if you have one, you know about the cooling fan and oil filter.

I do this when brush hogging a "reclaimed" orchard and trails through the woods. Can't go 50' without "finding" something.

As others said, go slow.

I sure do, I bought a set of Bro Tek skids for my BX2660, but can't find any for the JD2305.

 

[RoyJackson]

One major problem with the bucket down are dips you might encounter. Gong up, no problem, but going down into the dip, you just might bury the bucket in dirt.. can be quite a surprise.

Yep, done the same thing. However, moving slow and being alert can prevent damaging surprises.
Problem with rolling the bucket up a few degrees is you might not notice it rolling over an obstruction (especially something rounded like a rock). The operator cannot spend 100% of his time watching the bucket or loader arms for what might be a slight movement up.
But, what works for me might not work for others, so no criticism intended.