FEL Q

[Ridgewalker]

I have been cleaning a huge trash pile that is full of broken glass, flattened cans, broken bits of plastic, dirt, you name it, by raking it up into piles with landscape rake. The rake does a great job giving me pretty good sized piles of debri to attack with my FEL.

Here is where I need help. I have a FEL with a toothbar and tend to run over the pile instead of getting under it. Either that or I get too much dirt by digging 3 or 4 inches in the ground. What am I doing wrong? What's the trick to scooping?

Thank you.

 

[bjcsc]

The only trick is to have the bucket flat. There is a limit to how small of a pile you can pick up with a regular bucket. You can either a) do the little bit left by hand b) take a little dirt with it or c) think about justifying a 4in1 for the future. That's one of the most useful things a 4in1 does...

 

[midlifecrisis]

I'd remove the toothbar for the more delicate work and put it back on when you really need. They do tend to hinder some fragile operations.
steve

 

[john_bud]

It may be quicker to just park the bucket next to the pile and use a shovel to move it into the bucket.

Technique - First off you need to KNOW where your bucket is level. Also need to KNOW where the ground is in relation to the bucket. Those things take experience. You can "fudge" by adding training wheels. Get a 2x6 and wire or better bolt it onto the bottom of the tooth bar. Bevel the leading edge. Then you will be more able to skim the trash.

jb

 

[JOELENAHAN]

Practice, Practice, Practice. The more you become familliar with your FEL, the more efficient you will be. It takes a little seat time, but after a few hours, it will seem like second nature.