Remote FEL joystick operation

[JDgreen227]

I'm unsure if this method has been described here before, and it may not be applicable to everyone's tractors. With that said:

Today I used the FEL on my Deere to pull about 30 rods that had been driven into the ground about 3'. Only the top 4" of the rods was exposed, and I used the FEL bucket hooks and a chain to pull the rods out. Problem was, I had no way to operate the FEL while I was standing in front of the tractor keeping the chain tight so it would not slip off the rods. So I used a 10 foot long, 1 1/2" PVC pipe with a 90 degree ell on one end to work the joystick from the ground and raise the FEL.

DISCLAIMER: Any risk you assume using this method is just that, YOUR RISK. And don't even think about doing this while standing in the FEL bucket!!!!

 

[jimpen]

I think this should be under the Safety titled as "This is not what to do." :thumbdown:

My :2cents:

 

[Zebrafive]

I would have called a friend and said I need some help, want to operate my tractor?

 

[JDgreen227]

I would have called a friend and said I need some help, want to operate my tractor?

All my friends were probably busy, my tractor is a hydro and the parking brake was locked, and I was standing well clear of the FEL bucket and wearing safety shoes. So, what makes this method so dangerous? I recall reading a post here some years back where another member described using ropes to raise and lower his FEL bucket...WHILE STANDING IN THE BUCKET....now THAT would be dangerous.

 

[J_J]

I would set the parking brake first.

If you had your tractor positioned correctly over a steel rod you wanted pulled, I see no reason that you could not use a long pole to push and pull the lever to raise and lower the FEL.

There is no reason to stand in front of the tractor.

I have reach around the rear to activate the 3pt lever trying to set the 3pt.

I have seen a device about 6 in lng and 3 in wide with a hole in it. You slip the adapter over the rod and as the lift goes up, the adapter tries to go straight and can't so it grabs the rod and pulls it up.

You could also make a hole in your bucket and place the bucket over the rod and tilt the bucket and lift and the rod will come up.

There are many ways to do this. A small clam shell device would work.

 

[Egon]

Fly by pipe!

 

[ENC]

That is when I go inside and ask my wife for help. A few more years maybe the kids.

 

[JDgreen227]

Perhaps I should explain my method more clearly: The steel rods were about 5/16" in diameter, and only about 4" above ground level. I used a length of 1/2" steel pipe to bend the exposed part of the rod at a 90 degree angle. If I used the chain link on the angle and stood by the seat to use the FEL, the rod would simply spin around and release the chain. If I stood on the steel pipe slipped over the bent part of the rod, raising the FEL a foot with the PVC pipe would yank the rod out far enough for me to bend it further so the chain link would not slip off, and I could walk back and use the FEL in the normal manner.

 

[bcp]

Piece of scrap metal and two holes:



If you don't have a thick piece, several thin ones stacked will work, too.

Bruce

 

[lostcreekranch]

All my friends were probably busy, my tractor is a hydro and the parking brake was locked, and I was standing well clear of the FEL bucket and wearing safety shoes. So, what makes this method so dangerous? I recall reading a post here some years back where another member described using ropes to raise and lower his FEL bucket...WHILE STANDING IN THE BUCKET....now THAT would be dangerous.

Only if you were standing on a ladder in the bucket. ;-)

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