Shredding with FEL mounted

[droy]

TC 33 DA on R-4s, with 14LA fel,
I have scattered ruts on my 10 acres, nothing deep, just the kind you don't notice until you have bounced over them when shredding with the cruise on. I'm wondering if I could damage anything in the hydraulic system by going over these bumps with the fel bucket in the raised (for visibility and clearance) position. The banging noise helps add to the surprise of encountering those rough bumps, and has me wondering if I should remove the bucket prior to shredding.

I'm now wishing I would have gotten the QA bucket, which brings me to another concern- If I do remove the bucket, will I have a handling problem? My shredder is a Woods 60" Brush Bull, on a Case Quick Hitch, which naturally puts it furthur back on the 3PH.

I don't know which it is, but the 33DA seems to ride alot rougher than my old 1715.
a difference in wheelbase?
1715 had ag tires vs the 33DA and r-4s I know thats some of the difference
1715 no fel or Quick Hitch
or maybe all of the above.

I didn't nearly feel those bumps with the old unit.
Would waterfilling the tires help any? I'd prefer not to, but if it helps, I may.
The reason I haven't mentioned plowing, is that I'd hate to wind up with a 10 acre mudhole this winter and spring, but that may be my best route to take.

 

[jinman]

I think I would remove the whole loader and try it. If you don't have to mow a lot of steep areas, the 5' cutter may not be an issue. If it is set up properly to float, you shouldn't have full weight on the 3PH anyhow. Mowing/shredding with the loader off makes lots of difference. Also, tire pressure can be lowered slightly, but R4s are so wide they seem to multiply the bumps. Loading the rear tires would also be a good idea. If you need a little more front weight, loading the front tires is also a good idea.

 

[AndyG]

Agree with Jinman. Take the loader off, it will increase your visibility, manuverability, and safety. For goodnes sake don't drive around with the loader in the air unless you want to turn your tractor over! I finish mow and bushhog on my TC 40D with the loader off and it much more comfortable to operate that way. After about the secon time, you will find it is very easy to take on and off.

 

[droy]

I was afraid that would be the consensus;
It looks like removing and mounting of the entire fel would be a fair sized job, was hoping for some other alternative.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

The loader should be a quick tach loader which should only take a few minutes to remove and a few minutes to re-install. Pull out your operators manual on the loader and read up on it as it is very simple and easy. I do not have a 14LA loader but I am sure someone else on here does and can help walk you thru the removal process if you don't have a manual.

On my 1920, the loader stand is built in and automatically comes down as you remove the loader. On the TN w/ 32LA loader, I have to fold the legs out and extend them to the desired length before I pull the pins to remove the loader, but then it is just a case of disconnecting the four hydraulic lines and back away.

 

[jinman]

Robert is right. The loader is a breeze to remove and install. The hardest part is folding out the stand. Just follow the instructions in your 14LA/15LA Owner's Manual and you will see just how easy it is. After you do it a couple of times, you'll laugh about thinking it was a tough job. If you are uncertain about something, just ask. There are lots of us here who can/will help.

 

[droy]

Thanks again for the advice everyone. Had I posted the question sooner, probably could have prevented large gouge marks on west and north side of house, that magically appeared right after wife was cutting yard with tractor/shredder, due to problem with riding mower. Those marks are about the same height as the fel bucket rasied in the air- hmmmm?
And I won't talk about the dent on the fender of before mentioned riding mower, that happened as I , er, a stranger on my tractor was attempting to turn into parking area with the bucket about a foot off the ground. Stranger was sure surprised to see lawnmower shooting out ahead of tractor with no one on it, and where did that funny looking new dent come from?

 

[MikePA]

And now for an opinion from the other side....

First, I have a Class II, a TC25D with the 7308 FEL and not a Class III.

Second, I do not use my Woods BB60 to cut the lawn. I use it to cut 5 acres of wide open pasture.

I never remove the FEL to cut the pasture. In fact, I've only had the FEL off twice in the 5 years I've owned the TC25D. That was when I had the 914A mmm and used the 25D to cut my lawn. Since I sold the 914A 4 years ago, the FEL has not been off.

 

[390GT]

I have the 15la loader. It is very easy to remove/reattach to the tractor. Just wanted to mention that without the loader on, the tractor will feel & ride diffrent with heavy equipment on the 3pt. Greg

 

[droy]

And now for an opinion from the other side....


Second, I do not use my Woods BB60 to cut the lawn. I use it to cut 5 acres of wide open pasture.

Just to let you know, MikePA, we don't normally use tractor/shredder to cut the lawn, That black cloud of bad luck had made it's way through our homestead, leaving a wake of disaster-
within 3 months:
seldom used string trimmer chose not to start; need to replace carb. which is STILL backordered.
wife tried to mow over a large peice of concrete while trimming around the road ditch with our seldom used push mower, resulting in broken deck, and bent crankshaft on the motor. ( I chose not to replace it, )
A riding mower that stayed in the shop for almost three months due to a bad spark plug.
During this joyful time, our lawn really had some growth due to rainfall we had received, and the huge amount of fertilizer I had spread around, just before all the breakdowns, so it was either the tractor or a machete.
Another spell of breakdowns like that, and I will follow through with my threat of Roundup, 2-4-D, and a large sprayer for our entire 10 acres.

By the way, thanks for the opinions from the other side, guys