General FEL questions

wxboy · Feb 26, 2006

I recently asked people's opinions on the 200x vs. 200cx loader so now I'm clear on that but I have some other questions. First of all I'm going to buy a 2305 for mowing and snow removal and misc. other light duty tasks. I'm now trying to decide whether I should get a front blade for plowing snow or whether I should get an FEL to use for snow removal and other misc. tasks. Money is a consideration but see more on that later...

So my questions are how easy is it to clear snow with an FEL? I only have a small 100 ft driveway.

Does it get right down to the pavement or does it leave a thin layer of snow?

Also how is the resale on FEL's? I am planning on getting the 36 month no interest financing from Deere and I'm already thinking I may not have all of the money down the road to pay it off so I may have to sell the loader but would it sell or does everyone that wants one buy new when they buy their tractor? I don't want to spend $2,500 and find out that after 2.5 years I can't sell it or I can only get a grand for it.

Thanks in advance for your answers.

RoyJackson · Feb 27, 2006

So my questions are how easy is it to clear snow with an FEL? I only have a small 100 ft driveway.

The FEL works OK, but I prefer using a back blade. The blade is quicker then the FEL, but the FEL is great if you have to move piles of snow further back from the drive.

Does it get right down to the pavement or does it leave a thin layer of snow?
My drive is gravel but when I plow a paved area I do want to get down as close to bare pavement as possible. What you need to prevent is the bucket cutting edge (or back blade) digging into the asphalt. That's where back dragging (with the FEL) or pushing snow (with the convex side of the back blade) is handy.

Also how is the resale on FEL's? I am planning on getting the 36 month no interest financing from Deere and I'm already thinking I may not have all of the money down the road to pay it off so I may have to sell the loader but would it sell or does everyone that wants one buy new when they buy their tractor? I don't want to spend $2,500 and find out that after 2.5 years I can't sell it or I can only get a grand for it.

If this concerns you, I wouldn't buy a FEL at all. If your only task for the FEL is snow removal, buy the back blade and some front weights instead.
I can't say what resale value a private owner could get for a FEL. But since most folks factor the FEL into to initial cost of the tractor, my opinion is you'd take a pretty good loss.

Egon · Feb 27, 2006

Perhaps let us know what the other light duties may be and also how much mowing is to be done.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

wxboy · Feb 27, 2006

Other light duties would be moving wood around the yard, dumping the sand in the woods after I sweep it out of my front yard in the spring and anything else that pops up. I don't really have a lot of use for it I guess but if I could get it now and sell it in 2.5 years without taking much of a loss I thought it may come in handy.

As far as mowing I only have an acre. I know this tractor is probably more than I even need but I can buy it cheaper($1,000) than an X585 so I figure it makes more sense.

B8FISH · Feb 27, 2006

The FEL will clear the snow from the driveway no problem, you may need to take an extra pass if the snow is deep and overflows the sides of the bucket--but on 100' this shouldn't be a problem. I agree on the backdragging, I usually do this as the last step to leave a nice smooth (relatively) surface on my gravel drive.
If you plan to stay on that 1 acre lot, and never move any dirt, mulch, compost, gravel, leaves etc. etc. then maybe you don't NEED the FEL, but I wouldn't be without one. The rear blade would do all the snow clearing you need to do, and would likely be less expensive than the front hydraulic angle blade.
I also can't imagine that there would be too many folks that would be looking to buy just a loader on a 2210/2305.

wxboy · Feb 27, 2006

I had a feeling that most people buy them up front. I am staying on my 1 acre lot for a couple of years but if I can find(and afford) a larger lot I would love to make the move.

Egon · Feb 27, 2006

Okay -- Think I'd wait on the tractor if future payment is in doubt. Think there are other cheaper ways to acomplish your jobs while you prepare for the tractor purchase.

Patience is a virtue.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

wxboy · Feb 27, 2006

I have the money for the tractor(almost anyway) but I am going to finance it anyway since there is no interest for 3 years. I just thought it a used FEL held it's value and was easy to sell it would be a nice tool/toy to use for a while. Sounds like I should just get the base machine for now and then save up for other add ons.

Now for a rear blade question. I've never used one so I really don't know how they work. Do you drive in reverse to use one or do you just drive over the snow and drag it with you? I guess they don't angle, right? It must not have a float mode either? I hear they are cheaper than a front blade but from what I am picturing it doesn't sound that great for snow plowing.

Woody_NH · Feb 27, 2006

As for your rear blade question, I have a land pride model RBT15, see web page While all will angle, some like this will also tilt (good for ditching).

As for using with snow, my blade can be rotated 180 so you can either pull forward or push back. For snow removal use on gravel, the optional shoes are recommended. As a rear blade is mounted on the 3PH, it is automatically in float mode as there is no downward 3PH pressure, just drop all the way down.

As I already have a Fisher snow plow for my 4WD truck, I use that to clear my long driveway. The tractor with FEL and blade on back is good for clean-up. I usually have the blade reversed and back into the pile in clean-up.

Others use just a tractor with FEL or FEL plus rear blade for snow removal and they are happy. Having experience with all of the above, I prefer a real snow plow for my long gravel drive.

wxboy · Feb 28, 2006

My dealer told me that you can't use the FEL at the same time as the 62" MMM but you can if you have the 54" MMM. Does anyone know if that is true? It sounds strange.

billbill1 · Feb 28, 2006

I think you can save quite a bit of money buying the FEL with the tractor, it would also be a selling point if you ever got rid of the tractor. You will use the FEL more that you can possibly imagine, I couldn't live without mine, I use it constantly.

JDFANATIC · Feb 28, 2006

wx,

Nope:

Oops, forgot to tell my tractor that!

wxboy · Feb 28, 2006

Thanks JD, I figured the dealer was out to lunch especially since it was the same guy that told me that the 200X loader is a quick attach/detach like the 200CX.

orlo · Mar 2, 2006

You certainly can use the FEL with the 62" MMM. The 2305 comes with 3 bucket sizes. I think a 48, a 53, and a 61" If you notice the 53, and 61 are 1" narrower than the decks. Outside dimension of the 53 is more like 55". The dealer might be referring to the fact that if you get a 53" bucket and are 'driving into' material (I have) that the deck is wider than the bucket and will scrape material. This is only a problem if you intend to drive way into a pile or dirt or something (I've had this happen).

If you think you'll do this then get the 61" bucket (optional) and you'll be wider than the deck (Except maybe the plastic grass exit guard).

I have a 2305 with a 53" bucket and a 62" MMM. There is nothing functional that prevents them from working together. If I'm doing just a little moving or something with the FEL I won't bother to take the deck off. If I was doing Serious FEL work I'd pulll the deck off more so to prevent banging it up due to ground clearance than side clearance.

Also, Just my opinion but you won't be disappointed with the 2305 to mow an acre. Seems like waaay overkill!.(So would an X485) I mow 5 acres and used to do it with a ($2300) 25hp Craftsman GT5000 and a swisher 60" side pull (Sometimes just the GT if I was bagging). I think you'll finish in about 15-20 minutes unless you have lot's of obstacles.

I mow at 2900 full bore high range (Just about 9mph), with a 62" deck that's 5.57 acres an hour productivity. It's a mowing machine. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

ddivinia · Mar 2, 2006

I have to say that a FEL is one of the handiest thing about a tractor. I suspect you will find more things to do with it that you first think. I have never had to do snow removal, but it sounds like there are some cheaper options than a FEL.

D.

hpc · Mar 2, 2006

Buying a FEL won't be overkill, let alone a 2305.

I only have 2 acres to cut and bought a 4115 with FEL, tiller, MMM.
Used the FEL to do snow removal from a 70' (+ or -) driveway;
by the mailbox so the postman (or lady) has a clean entry/exit way
to the mailbox; and the entrance to the sub - it's usually a few hours before
the sub's contractor shows up to do snow removal.

Used the tiller to reclaim some land outback.

Am now trading up to a 3520 with FEL/MMM/655 tiller - now this
is overkill, BUT nothing beats a couple hours of seat time on a tractor -
well, one time comes to mind but I'll refrain from comment.

When I bought the 4115, I thought massive overkill! Looked at
the 430 and like diesel-powered lawn/garden tractors, but the price
differential between them and the 4115 was only $1-2K. Didn't
take a rocket scientist to look and see which one could do the most
work and last the longest - NO OFFENSE to 430 owners, etc.

Though, the ONE drawback to having a 2305 on one acre is
what I felt when I took the 4115 out onto 2 acres - you feel kinda
ridiculous sitting atop this "big" tractor on such a small lot, relatively
speaking. BUT you'll get over this quickly after 5-10 minutes of
puttering about.

This is one great forum (tractorbynet.com) - great info, great people!

Good Luck and Enjoy!

Lon

wxboy · Mar 3, 2006

I do agree that a 2305 is overkill for my property but I'm ok with that. I think big. My dad has a 4115 for the same size lot and he only uses it to plow the driveway and move dirt once per year so I know I will get more use out of my tractor. He was 33 hours on it and he's had it for 40 months.

I will feel funny driving it with the FEL on it in the front yard but others driving by will just be jealous.

Thanks for making me feel better about this.

My current problem is that the dealer just told me my price is going up by around $500 because Deere raised their prices to dealers on March 1st. I'm pissed. I was ready to buy and he threw me this curve ball.

Anyone know if this is true?