Your tractor should have a bucket level indicator. There are different types, mine is a simple rod in a tube on the right arm. When I curl or dump the bucket, the rod slides in and out of the tube. I set my bucket on the level concrete and marked the rod. I then cut the rod at a taper with the back side of the cut at the tube, my bucket is dead level.
When approaching the pile, set your bucket level and low. Not typically on the ground unless its very hard. Remember, the more weight the bucket gets as it loads, the more it will 'push' into the ground.
Come into the pile at a comfortable speed. This should be fast enough to fill the bucket, but not so fast that you get ejected from the seat when the tractor comes to a stop.
Just before the tractor comes to a stop (careful not to spin the tires), start to curl the bucket and raise the FEL at the same time. Watch the bucket fill and and dont curl too much. You dont want to push the pile with the bottom side of the bucket.
Come to a stop and lift/curl the bucket until your load is level. Not the bucket, the load. Shake it a few times to settle and load into the back corners of the bucket and to shake off any excess that might fall off during transport. Do not backup without lifting and curling, you'll inadvertently dump part of the load.
Back away from the pile and lower the FEL to a comfortable height. Remember, never carry a loaded bucket too high!
The more you do this, the more it makes sense and easier it gets. It becomes second nature. Take things slow.
