Mowing Mowing with FEL

[kubes14060]

So we just bought a new tractor. We went with the Kubota B2650. We also bought a 60" pull behind finish mower as well.

When cutting grass, do most mow with the FEL attached, remove the bucket and mow or remove the whole thing and mow?

We've new had a tractor before so I just wondered what everyone else did and what the advantages and disadvantages there were to mowing either way.

Thanks!!

 

[knukey]

I've just raised mine up and cut. Although I do not have the luxury of easy removal of bucket or entire FEL. Be careful!

 

[Fastball]

Me too. Giant PITA to remove my FEL.
Raise it up a foot and have at 'er.

 

[ericm979]

I just leave it on. My old tractor didn't have a quick release loader. I'm used to it so I leave it on the new tractor. I run the loader low but not so low that it might hit solid obstacles (brush is ok). Raising the loader up high to see under it also raises the tractor's center of gravity making it more likely for the tractor to tip over if you're on a slope or run into hole. If I need to raise the loader to clear an obstacle I lower it once it's clear.

It might take a bit but you get used to looking ahead of the loader.

 

[JRobyn]

We've tried it with removing the bucket (quick attach) and not. Doesn't really make any difference to the primary bushhog operator (wife). Having the bucket on and left low at about 1 ft above the ground can be a good stump detector (or concrete block, or old engine block, etc.). Good for the first time you mow an unfamiliar area.

 

[Thomas]

I don't remove never know when the bucket might come in handy.

 

[TerryR]

The FEL gets in the way when mowing around trees and other obstacles. I always take if off. It only takes a couple of minutes to take it off and mount some suitcase weights. See photo at left.

 

[Eric102]

If finish mowing against fences or buildings take it off, its amazing how much damage the corner of the bucket can do!

 

[Mike_Kanzer]

I take off the loader. Suitcase weights on the front end make up for the reduced front end weight with the loader off. Leaving the loader on can do a lot of damage to fences, trees and other things if you don't pay careful attention to where you are.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I usually take FEL off with finish mower, if in the yard. In the field, leave it on.

 

[Leejohn]

I take the loader off, it's in the way and I don't like the ride. If I was bush hoging a new place I would maybe leave it on.

 

[RoyJackson]

When I had an open station tractor, I removed the loader...my opinion, that's the best way. Now that I have a cabbed tractor, I haven't removed the loader, but I drop off the bucket. I think I'll drop the loader for this season...but the loader masts (the uprights that hook into the loader brackets) are awful close to the cab. That's not normally too much of a hassle when removing the loader, but can be a hassle when re-mounting the loader (unless the tractor is perfectly aligned with the loader). I might try it though...we'll see.
So, I recommend removing the loader. Make sure you park the loader in a spot that is both easily accessible and on solid ground...put a board under the support legs rather then on the grass.

As far as raising the mower during transport...I have suitcase weights and I've used them with my previous Deere 4400. They may not be necessary with the 4520 since it's a heavier tractor. With your tractor, I'd try raising the finish mower and see how it feels before buying front weights (which aren't cheap unless you buy 'em used like I did).

 

[Will_C]

I have a B2620. Leave the FEL when bush hogging, off when finish mowing. Like Roy, I use weights on the front that I picked up on Craig's list.

Will

 

[DK35vince]

I always remove the loader to mow, IMO my tractor rides better and easier to mow close to objects and trees.

 

[jmh1783]

I prefer to remove the loader when finish mowing. It gets in the way. I do occasionally just remove the bucket if I'm in a hurry. Even quick attach loaders are time consuming to attach and remove. I've never had a weight problem. My finish mower weighs over 850 lbs. The front end doesn't seem to get light when I lift it.

 

[bdog]

When I had a tractor with a FEL I never once removed it the whole time I mowed and mowed hundreds of acres all 5 acres or less at a time. It is kind of a pain at times when working around obstacles but dealing with that is easier than removing it. As others said when mowing an area for the first time (I did some mowing for hire) it works great to find hidden objects before your mower does.

 

[paulfun9]

I think it depends on your tractor, your property and how good the route you have when mowing.

Some of my tractors rode absolutely terrible with it on and others rode just as bad with it off. My current tractors all ride much better with it on (less bouncy with the weight)

SOme of my properties were once a bit tight between obstructions and it was better to remove it. Now everything is set up for fast cutting and my path ways are set up to make mostly straight lines so my turning area is so much that I could hang a tree in the Grapple and still not worry much about hitting something.

So do a test and cut it once with and once without and find what works for you because here you will find that some take it off and some leave it on but our decision to do so will probably be based on the experience we have with a different tractor and property than yours.

Good luck!

 

[Turbys_1700]

I mow with the FEL on. Even though it is quick detach I am always trying to conserve as much time as possible. Taking the FEL on and off cuts into my mowing time and with the Brown 472 attached to the back front ballast would be an issue. So then I am looking at adding front weights in addition to taking the FEL off. Again another time killer. I think that I would be fine with the rear finish mower but it comes down to time management for me.

My property for the most part is open with few trees and I can get by with leaving the FEL on. I have removed the bucket before but invariably I will come up on situations where the bucket would be beneficial to have on so I just leave it. I don't find the ride uncomfortable at all.

No right or wrong answer here. Each situation is different.

 

[TerryR]

I mow with the FEL on. Even though it is quick detach I am always trying to conserve as much time as possible. Taking the FEL on and off cuts into my mowing time and with the Brown 472 attached to the back front ballast would be an issue. So then I am looking at adding front weights in addition to taking the FEL off. Again another time killer.

Putting weights on is a time killer? How do you do it? I'm sure I can mount mine in under 30 seconds.

Taking the whole FEL off is probably under two minutes. It's a real non-issue so far as I'm concerned. If it saves any effort in getting around trees, buildings, and other obstacles it's well worthwhile to me.

 

[CajunRider]

I mow in an area full of gumbo mud. I leave the FEL on so I can crawfish my way out when I get stuck in the mud.