How do I dig w/the FEL?

[Champy]

Was working on the property today, and thought I'd try to dig up a small thorny sapling (1.5"dia) using the FEL. I couldn't get it to even start taking a bite out of the turf. The ground was soft/somewhat wet....I though I would be able to plunge that bucket right into the ground and slowly work my way to getting a 5' long cut. What am I doing wrong - or is this not the right tool? (yes a BH would be better - but the FEL should be able to dig something - right?). No problems diggin into a dirt pile or rocks/debris. BTW - every time I took a shot at it, the front end simply lifted off the ground - do I need more weight on the front? Using a JD990 in MFWD; HD bucket w/toothbar; and my bushog on the back for balast..

Thanks

 

[Dusty]

You didn't mention if you had the tooth bar installed, but if you didn't, that is the problem. If you did, then you just need more practice working the bucket to get the right angle and roll to dig. It is like learning to ride a bike, you have to do it and no amount of words are going to replace practice.
Dusty

 

[jeffinsgf]

The dig you can get with an FEL is more gradual than abrubt. Sounds like you're trying to dig too deep too fast. Bring your angle down a little, with enough pressure and angle to take pressure off the front tires, but not enough to lift them off the ground completely, then drive forward.

Your rotary cutter is probably a little too much rear ballast, too. Maybe about the right amount of weight, but it is hanging too far off the back.

 

[Champy]

The dig you can get with an FEL is more gradual than abrubt. Sounds like you're trying to dig too deep too fast. Bring your angle QUOTE]

So basically I should be using the FEL to continually scrape layers of turf and soil off versus thinking of it as a 5' wide backhoe...............?

 

[Glenn9643]

If you're trying to dig in undisturbed soil you'll probably only be able to get a few inches at a time. The depth you can dig may vary with the tractor/FEL; I think mine is limited to about 5-6", but you overcome the depth limit by making a longer cut than you would with a hoe and nose the tractor into it to get deeper. In compacted soil I've found that I can get the bucket w/toothbar to the maximum depth but can't push forward very far before losing traction. Curling the bucket helps to break up the soil. Then move forward a bit and repeat. Then scoop the soil out and start over.
Practice.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

When you dig with the FEL you are better off with somthing lighter on the TPH . To much much weight on the rear causes the problem you are having. Or you need to add weight to the front. Tip your bucket slightly and as it starts to dig in raise the bucket a little to put more weight on the front axle. Like everyone said, pratice is the best teacher.

 

[RayH]

Digging with the FEL is done more like "scraping" then digging. You have to scrape a couple inches of dirt away at a time. Angle the bucket down just a little(you will find that magic angle on your own) and push. As was mentioned, the front tires should just barely be on the ground as you push.
For a 1.5" sapling, you may have better luck (and cause less lawn damage) if you try pushing an end tooth in the ground at the base of the sapling and pry up with the bucket to dislodge the roots on that side of the tree. Thats the way I've always done it and its worked pretty good for the smaller trees. My little BX will usually pull a 1.5" tree using that method.

 

[jeffinsgf]

So basically I should be using the FEL to continually scrape layers of turf and soil off versus thinking of it as a 5' wide backhoe...............?

Precisely.

For the job at hand, I'll echo Ray's suggestion to position one end tooth at the base of the sapling, work it into/under it and curl up.

Another method on something that small is to wrap a chain or nylon strap around the trunk, hook it to the draw bar and pull it out. 1-1/2 inches is about the upper limit for that method, and it depends on the species and its root system.

One more tip, if this is going to be a recurring project. Do a search for "grubbing" and look at the various attachments that have been made or bought for the job. I have a Bobcat "Digger" attachment that I put on my FEL which lets me remove up to 3 or 4 inch saplings with minimal ground disruption and no stumps to deal with. I don't have to mount the backhoe until I start dealing with the 5 or 6 inchers.

 

[Opti-Mist]

In general, think of your loader bucket like a spoon. You will want to slice into the ground. Start out with the loader bucket flat on the ground, place your loader control in the "Float" position, then start moving forward in your lowest gear (for practice), then begin to tilt your bucket just a little until it begins to slice into the ground. As it attains a depth of about 4 inches, level it off and proceed to fill it. Repeating this process will actually allow you to dig a very deep trench. It does take practice.

 

[755inNY]

The dig you can get with an FEL is more gradual than abrubt. Sounds like you're trying to dig too deep too fast. Bring your angle QUOTE]

So basically I should be using the FEL to continually scrape layers of turf and soil off versus thinking of it as a 5' wide backhoe...............?

I think you would have similar problems if you put a 5' wide bucket on a BH. You would not have the power, weight or traction to do much digging.