Scary Sight (Safety Topic)

Jim_Becker · May 21, 2004

While driving home from lunch today, I observed a fellow mowing his lawn with his BX2200...with the FEL on the machine. That, in itself, is no big deal if you have the manuvering room to leave the FEL on, but this fellow was mowing around "lawn features" on a side slope with the FEL almost completely raised up. The hair on the back of my neck was standing up! Can you say, "Roll Over Danger"?? Sheesh!

Don't do that folks...it's just not safe.

Edhill · May 21, 2004

good way to check his ROPS if nothing else

ED

Junkman · May 21, 2004

I had to mow the lawn today with the loader and the backhoe attached. Too many projects going at one time and not enough time to do them all. It was difficult, but not impossible. Just had to keep my radar going in both front and rear. I just don't do any slopes!!/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Duncan · May 22, 2004

My FEL has never been off the BX2200 since it was delivered. The FEL is very handy for so many chores that I just leave it on. You just have to pay atention while mowing. I learned real quick to keep the bucket low on a slope. You only have to bail out one time to be cautious in the future.

mathteacher · May 22, 2004

Some people just don't understand center of gravity. Or maybe he did and he was just very BIG to make up for the extra weight overhead. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

But then again maybe he just didn't read the safety part in the manual because he felt that he didn't need to read. In my limited days I have come to the conclusion that when people do stupid or dumb things that their luck does run out and that it will catch up to them.

Donald B.

BotaGuy · May 22, 2004

Junkman....How did the mower work with the other items attached? I picked up my unit after they installed the MM mower, and the tech said not to use the mower with the BH installed as he rear lift arms could bind?? Did you notice anything by the 3 point set-up?

drcollie · May 22, 2004

Wow. Some of you never take your FEL's off? Really? This is such a fast operation once you get used to it, that I can remove my FEL in the same time it takes me to fill the little diesel tank on the BX22.

That FEL is unforgiving if you strike the side of your house, deck or a tree with it. It will damage whatever it hits. I've mowed the yard one time with the Backhoe and FEL on the tractor and it was cumbersome to say the least, plus that's a lot of added weight to rut your yard faster.

I'm not kidding when I tell you the FEL can be removed in 90 seconds once you get used to doing it, and hooked up again just as fast. Be safe...take it off when mowing is my advice.

-Duane

Jim_Becker · May 22, 2004

The FEL comes off in less than two minutes and goes back on in about the same. There is a huge difference in manuverability and agility when mowing with the FEL off. Try it sometime. I doubt you'll continue to mow with it on...

Junkman · May 22, 2004

I didn't notice any binding of the 3 pt arms, but then again, I wasn't looking for it. Since the arms go down by gravity I don't see where this would be a problem. It is a nuisance to be watching both front and rear ends when mowing, so I don't recommend it, however I was running out of time getting things done. It doesn't take long to get either of them removed, but I have to do it in the rear of the house where there is no solid surface to put them on. It does make it more difficult to reinstall them when they are on the lawn area, because they are never level. I have more than once come close to wrinkling the fender when reinstalling the hoe. I have scrapped some paint off the edge of one of them as a result. The other thing that is a problem with the hoe is that it will settle to the ground if it is off for 24 hours. You have to get close enough to hook up the hydraulic lines and raise it before you can reposition the tractor to accept it into the saddle. I like to leave both in the garage when possible, but space is limited at present and that isn't a possibility...... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

GerardC · May 22, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ....but I have to do it in the rear of the house where there is no solid surface to put them on. It does make it more difficult to reinstall them when they are on the lawn area, because they are never level......The other thing that is a problem with the hoe is that it will settle to the ground if it is off for 24 hours.)</font>

Why not use some 3/4" plywood?? That would solve the problems in the above quote. G