FEL whacking things when backing up.

[Jstpssng]

How many times do you see somebody with a divot in their tailgate? For years I wondered how they happen, the only thing I could think of was hauling a heavy pipe sticking out beyond the tailgate. One day somebody drove past me and their dented tailgate was down, and the light dawned!

 

[Smokeydog]

To maintain a crane operator license, had to have yearly tests for depth perception. Some of my technicians had trouble or could not past this test. More common than not. Think your case was distraction. I have hit $hit too. Age, trifocals, sweat, and many different attachments both front and back are my excuses. Tractors need your full attention.

 

[Jstpssng]

Tractors need your full attention.

So does driving... especially when you're on a motorcycle.

 

[Zork]

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?

If you can disconnect your loader, you'll be surprised how much your tractor feels like a riding mower monster truck, and you'll have added clearance.

 

[mikester]

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?

It's time to hand in your tractor license and feel shame!

 

[workinonit]

I can literally attach or detach my loader in 3 to 5 minutes. Why in the name of sight line would anyone leave a loader on a tractor if they are not using it.

 

[oosik]

You make a good point - workinonit. In 40 years - owned two tractors. Both with FEL. NEVER removed the FEL on either. I'm always using either the bucket or the grapple.

With 40 years experience I've more or less learned to operate with the FEL on. AND - in all that time I've never damaged anything with the bucket or grapple. Just being pretty careful.

 

[ruffdog]

I think it also depends on how open your area is, how many obstacles there are. A wide open area is easier to drive around in than a tighter area.

 

[WranglerX]

You may have to explain that one to me.

I tend to back up "blind", looking where FEL (load) is and not whr tracto is going when in woods and it seems a tree is alway moving into the path I want to take....

 

[WranglerX]

You make a good point - workinonit. In 40 years - owned two tractors. Both with FEL. NEVER removed the FEL on either. I'm always using either the bucket or the grapple.

With 40 years experience I've more or less learned to operate with the FEL on. AND - in all that time I've never damaged anything with the bucket or grapple. Just being pretty careful.

Yeppers, if I remove FEL tractor becomes yard art....

 

[JethroB]

To maintain a crane operator license, had to have yearly tests for depth perception. Some of my technicians had trouble or could not past this test. More common than not. Think your case was distraction. I have hit $hit too. Age, trifocals, sweat, and many different attachments both front and back are my excuses. Tractors need your full attention.

I just got new & “improved” (I.e. stronger Rx) progressive lense eye glasses. The increased fish bowl effect is really messing with me. Depth perception and forget about eyeballing anything as level.

 

[ljjhouser]

Ha! Hard to see the bucket edges when looking forward. Almost impossible to see the bucket when backing looking backwards. I took out a post on the carport backing one time. I watch and see much better now. How we learn. Ha!

 

[Smokeydog]

Have mounted a couple of these mirrors to help watch what is around me.

United Pacific Stainless Steel Rectangular Convex Mirror w/U-Bracket for Cars, Trucks, Boats, Tractors, Forklifts, Improves Visibility – 1 Unit https://a.co/d/cu7Vlkq

Help with age related neck and back range of motion.

 

[scootr]

It is just the learning curve teaching you some operator skills.

 

[zzvyb6]

Funny until you run over your dog, someone else' dog, or someone else's kid. Then nobody will be laughing.

 

[Omega Woods]

I've been very fortunate not to damage anything more than the bark of a smallish tree with my loader bucket. The recommendation to remove the bucket is a good one. I think I'll start doing that.

 

[Oaktree]

How many times do you see somebody with a divot in their tailgate? For years I wondered how they happen, the only thing I could think of was hauling a heavy pipe sticking out beyond the tailgate. One day somebody drove past me and their dented tailgate was down, and the light dawned!

I put a nice one in the tailgate of my truck a few years ago from the jack on my trailer. Had it down to be able to better see the trailer. Only was an issue with sharp turns, but only took one of them...

 

[PhysAssist]

I can literally attach or detach my loader in 3 to 5 minutes. Why in the name of sight line would anyone leave a loader on a tractor if they are not using it.

Well, the "not using it" thing becomes an issue no matter what we're doing on our property. We have needed the FEL numerous times to get out of being otherwise irreparably stuck- whether bogged down in swamp mud, or high-centered by the mower, or caught on an uneven tipping point with a tire in an unseen hole or rut.

Our property is well-treed and variously hilly and swampy depending where we're working, so there are very few times when having the FEL on is both a pain in the A$$, and at the same time potentially a Godsend.

More than a few of our tees have scars from the FEL or ballast box, and there are a couple of dents and/or holes in the circa 2012 metal barn walls [our B2320 is circa 2011].

Your mileage may vary.

 

[scootr]

Dropped the FEL off for a few days of mowing and scraping weeds. Nice to have it off of there for a bit but it's time to put it back on. I rocks to sort from the dirt pile.