Using Front End Loader for Personal Lift??

[coyote_hills]

Hello -

I haven't done it, but, I'm wondering what people's thoughts are out there on using a FEL as a personal lift for certain jobs (ie painting, tree trimming, etc). I know it sounds dangerous (and it is), but, could it be safer than using a ladder (which you hear all the time of accidents on)?

Thanks
Ken
L3710 HST, FEL

 

[beenthere]

Both have their risks, and I do both, depending on the situation. Being careful is important to your own safety, and the safety of others may also enter into the equation.

Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do, to get the job done, just be careful and smart doing it. Keep your insurance paid up. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[RobS]

Years ago someone posted pics of a cage they built for their FEL. Looked pretty slick /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[PhilNH5]

Someone suggessted this last year TBN Link . Up until then I never thought of it. Now I prefer to use the bucket. Mind you I have a BX2200 so we are not talking a lot of lift.

Prior to this I used a M shaped ladder. Even if placed on wood for stability I did not feel as secure as I do in the BX bucket. So if I need to gain just a little height I prefer the BX to the M ladder.

Phil

 

[Spiffy]

Beenthere summed it pretty well about being carefull whatever you choose.

For painting I take the high part; whoever paints lower areas (not directly under me, I like to splatter paint) then runs the tractor for me. Works pretty well.

Now at the risk of safety police frowning upon me....[read do as I say, not as I do /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif]: you want a little pucker factor:

Get the bucket about 20 feet up then put an extention ladder another 20feet up from the bucket [I think extending the ladder is more dangerous than climbing it!].

Or anyone remember the cable tilt FarmHand model F10's with a single lever valve......hydraulic, but would dump almost as fast as a trip-dump bucket? Now get yourself about 20 feet up and hope your wife can remember which direction dumps and which lowers!!! Spooky!!!

Now that I think about it for some reason 90% of the times I need the tractor for lift, the only other person available to run the tractor has limited experience. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Let's see...wife tried to run me into a tree....mother tried to dump me into a flag pole.....sister tried to run me into a garage [killed 60HP!]. Does anyone else wonder if all the women in my life hate me! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Oh well, the FIL's nephew actually did dump him like I mentioned on the same F10; somhow expecting it, he wrapped his legs around a reinforcement bar and hung like a possum for a minute. I think he needs one of those cages like Rob mentioned....but then what would he do for entertainment! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[beenthere]

Spiffy
When I was 16, I and a 'college grad' painted the side of a barn using a 40' extension ladder in the bucket of a 'C' farmall tractor to get under the 50' eaves of the barn.

Tired of coming down each time to move, we decided he would carefully manuever the tractor and I would stay on top. That worked until the tractor wheel found a small hole. The bucket moved a bit too far, and I and the ladder came down along the side of the barn. The ladder hit a large corner post at the corner of the barn, and I ended up standing upright with one hand on top of the post. Splintered the 40' wood ladder into many many pieces. That was a ride to remember. Now NO ONE is around the tractor when I have the bucket up with a ladder in it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Now, try to put your wife on the ladder and you run the FEL /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Spiffy]

Beenthere that one has me beat by far!

<font color="blue">try to put your wife on the ladder and you run the FEL </font>

Yeah.....just aint' gonna happen! [actually, minus the ladder, she doesn't mind painting from the bucket] But, the time she almost put me through the tree, there was no ladder involved, so I did trade with her. Unfortunately, her chainsaw prowess [which she occasionally uses on the ground without problem] was less than her FEL prowess:

despite my initial instructions, then evey effort to get her attention while cutting, she made the first cut + instead of - angle; the branch came back a little as it fell. This caught her hand leaving a minute, but just enough of a scar for her to always point out I get the bucket. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[SkyPup]

Be sure your wife's life insurance payments are up to date prior to getting her into the FEL bucket! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Jstpssng]

I use my bucket asa work platform to get up on my roof; put all necessary tools in, raise it, then tie my ladder to the loader arms. After having a ladder kick out once as I was climbing onto a second story roof I can attest it is MUCH easier stepping onto the roof from the bucket.

 

[755inNY]

Guilty. But I was smarter than the rest of you /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif . I did it alone. Position the tractor under the tree to be trimmed. Set the parking brake (must be thinking safety here after all I am on a slope). Stand in the bucket and using a long 1x3 push the loader lift lever back. Ride the bucket up to the desired position. Having thought ahead about the eventual need to come down, I had nailed a short piece of 1x3 at the end of the long 1x3 thus forming a "T". I used the "T" to pull the lift lever forward to lower myself back to the ground. Worked well but I would not recommend it.

Jeff

 

[EddieWalker]

I hate heights and ladders don't make me very comfortable. Since I work along most of the times, I've found the bucket to be a handy platform for lifting things with and to work from with a secure footing.

I lower the outriggers to lock myself into position. Then use my ladder to get into the bucket when it's in position.

See attached photo.

A guy I know was trimming branches along his fenceline last year with his grandson operating the tractor. He cut a branch with the chainsaw, the branch twisted around and swung at him, knocking him out of the bucket. The chainsaw went one way, he went strait down landing on a different branch with his ribs.

He lived, but the bruises were pretty severe.

Eddie

 

[Spiffy]

<font color="blue"> Be sure your wife's life insurance payments are up to date prior to getting her into the FEL bucket! </font>

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I just have to make sure that it's enough to cover one of those fancy self propelled man lift's and I'd be set. Ohhh, and a new tractor....and a dozer......and...and..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[keeney]

I see residential framing contractors using their construction forklifts (Lull or similar) as man-lifts more often than for lifting or moving materials. Almost every one I have ever seen has a hand-built wood platform/box that is typically three-sided and open on the working end. Some do have commercially-built steel patforms.

They do it so much, I am surprised that there is not a remote control kit available so they can drive around from up top. Its a pretty boring job for the poor guy stuck driving the thing who has to sit there waiting to take verbal orders to move every few minutes.

- Rick

 

[TractorLegend]

If you saw my ladders you would opt for the tractor bucket Im sure.