Noob to tractors here. I would like something to move materials around the house as well as a 3acre lot I have. I only have access to the 3 acres with something 4ft wide max. Previously, I've used my uncles bobcat 632 that weighs 4k to move loose dirt around. I was very underwhelmed by its performance. I could barely fill a half a bucket of loose dirt before it didn't have the weight to push into the pile to make the scoop. Wheels were spinning on hard clay ground but couldn't push in to the dirt to take a bite. Lifting no problem. If I'm looking at a garden tractor with an FOL 4ft wide range, I'm envisioning only being able to scoop soft mulch or leaves. How far off base am I?
Set my FEL expectations
- Thread starter nate0918
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bearthebruce
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Not that I am an experienced operator, but, watching the guys who are I learned a valuable lesson: loosen the pile before trying to scoop. That is, climb up toward the top and back drag down the pile to loosen. Then pick some up and move it.
Maybe you are doing that already. But I found I could get a full bucket on my 33hp Massey if I would take the time to "loosen up". Seems I have been really tightly wound lately!
Maybe you are doing that already. But I found I could get a full bucket on my 33hp Massey if I would take the time to "loosen up". Seems I have been really tightly wound lately!
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Lot more than ramming into pile and lifting to get a full load. Lift, curl and drive have to come together just right to make it happen and then not tip the load onto your own head. In ANY machinery there is a lot of finesse to get the most out of the machine.
Jchonline
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Operator error most likely. You just dont know how to fill a bucket from a dirt pile! No worry we can help.
As you drive in, you have to lift up on the arms to help break the pile up. Keep moving forward as you lift at the same time.
If a 2 ton bobcat doesnt lift what you want...you are going to be sorely disappointed with a small tractor!
ericm979
Super Member
Back dragging with the bucket curled all the way down can bend the curl cylinders. Be very careful when doing it. A number of people here have bent theirs doing it.
I find that a combination of driving forwards, lifting the bucket and curling the bucket back is what works for getting a full bucket. It takes practice. Construction guys make it look easy because they have done it a few thousand times.
I find that a combination of driving forwards, lifting the bucket and curling the bucket back is what works for getting a full bucket. It takes practice. Construction guys make it look easy because they have done it a few thousand times.
WranglerX
Elite Member
This You Tube video pretty much addresses all the things you need to know..... One thing it does not cover may be a "bucket level indicator", which may be subject of another message thread, operator in this video just used his experience/skill to "level" bucket...
airbiscuit
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A tooth bar on the bucket will do wonders for the ability to pierce the pile.
kenmbz
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I have Diabase (iron chunk rock) here ans second the toothbar.
Without the dirt here would just stop the tractor while trying to scoop and not move when back blading.
With toothbar, I could drive into the dirt and scoop without issue.
Without the dirt here would just stop the tractor while trying to scoop and not move when back blading.
With toothbar, I could drive into the dirt and scoop without issue.
I will be the first to admit that I'm sure it's mostly operator error. I will say that the pile was very loose, I had just made the piles with a mini excavator and was moving the dirt from point A to B. I was under the naïve impression that since the dirt was loose that I could just drive the bucket right in. I did eventually try to curl the bucket while raising it at the same time I was driving into the pile. I was still surprised at the required amount of effort to get a full bucket. So, with an FEL on a small garden tractor I should reasonably be able to scoop materials like gravel and dirt? It sounds like a stupid question when I typed it out but I just want to make sure that it's a practical implement for a smaller machine. I'm a sucker for stuff that looks useful only to find out that it's not quite what I was anticipating. I guess it's a matter of scale, bucket size vs tractor weight.
Consider that a yard of loam, gravel or compost can weigh 2500 pounds or more, depending on moisture content. The smallest Kioti currently made,for example is a CK2510. It has 1840 LB breaking point rating yet weighs in at 3060 lbs, including the loader.