Why A FEL?

[Harv]

This has been covered numerous times before, but as I think of some folks contemplating whether or not to order a FEL with their tractor, I think of how it was for me. I guess I was on the other end of the scale, 'cuz my mindset was more, "I'm getting a FEL. Wonder what kind of tractor I should put behind it?". /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Attached is a partial photo summary of my first year with my loader (which came attached to an L2500DT). Contrary to popular opinion, I don't take pictures of everything I do, so this really just scratches the surface. So to speak. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

There have been many other photos posted on TBN showing the interesting uses a FEL can be put to, but I can't recall them all right now. Anybody have some snaps to share?

p.s. As you can see from the picts, I also consider some sort of bucket forks as essential as the loader itself. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

 

[MikePA]

Harv,

What a fantastic summary of how a FEL can be used! I find that I have to remind myself, when I am faced with getting something done, that I now have a FEL. It's usually easy to think of using a FEL in those situations where you'd use a wheelbarrow, it's the other uses you show that are so helpful.

A few weekends ago I was cleaning up a hickory tree that had died and was not looking foward to dealing with all the little sticks, twigs, old hickory nuts, etc. I did not want to burn them since it's been so dry and I knew it'd take a long time to put everything into garbage bags. Then a lights shines, put all the stuff into the FEL, drive to the barn where we have a dumpster, dump it in. Job's done. Something I could not have done with the wheelbarrow.

Ditto for getting rid of the swing set. Saw it up, put it in the FEL, drive to the barn, dump it in the dumpster. Job done. No need to cut it up into small enough pieces for putting out with the garbage.

 

[njrqs]

Showoff !!!

Here's what I can do with a shovel and barrow.

Yep - Nothing !!

Cheers !!

<font color=blue>Neil from OZ.</font color=blue>

 

[Jeff396]

You really have to get one of these things. I always seem to live on property where the dirt always has to be brought up the hill....never down the hill. The digging the dirt up I never had a problem with. It was the getting it somewhere else that would kill me!!! Goodbye WHEELBARROW!!!!

Jeff

 

[njrqs]

I know I know....

Just can't seem to justify the expense (Read convince the wife)

Part of the reason I bought acreage was to get some excercise seeng as I have a desk job at home.

So I guess I have to do some things the old fashioned way!!!

<font color=blue>Neil from OZ.</font color=blue>

 

[theboman]

A wheel barrow with a motor!

Bo McCarty
Bluegrass, Pick It Up!

 

[MChalkley]

Well done, Harv! I saw a big orange cup ridin' high in several of those pictures, too! It's a wonder that thing stays on with all that heavy liftin' you're doing there... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

MarkC

 

[StanInCalif]

I like your approach, Harv- "What implements do I need and how much tractor do I need to run them?" The implements do the actual work; the tractor merely powers and controls them. I think it is wise for a prospective buyer to approach from this angle.

<font color=green>stan</font color=green>

 

[Mike_S]

Having owned several compact diesels without FELs, and now I am on my second WITH a FEL, I can make the observation that it is so useful as you illustrated so well, that if I were just mowing my yard and did not have a FEL, I would be better off with a Grasshopper, but the FEL is the single most important implement needed on the tractor for my uses. In addition to your uses I wishI could have posted pictures of me standing in the bucket (probably not the safest thing to do), or on a pallet on the forks trimming trees, painting, and standing on a step ladder on the forks in an effort to spray the tops of some tall trees. Of course its use as a $25K wheel barrow goes unsaid. Mike S

 

[StanInCalif]

Harv-
Indeed, the uses for an FEL are endless. My latest thought is to get a climbing belt and/or fashion some sort of a restraining device, so that I can strap my S.O. into the bucket, and, armed with a pole saw/pruner, she can trim my 50 year old shade trees. Of course, I will have to stress that the horizontal, twisted "branches" composed of two blacks and a silver are not to be cut.

<font color=green>stan</font color=green>

 

[MChalkley]

Stan - Or maybe even make it a non-issue by positioning the tractor in such a way that's it impossible to even reach the "black and silver" ones...

MarkC

 

[StanInCalif]

I will try to do that, Mark, but the problem is, I'm trying to keep the the green branches away from the black ones. If I go too far back, the branches will get too large in diameter, and I will get "static". BTW- ever price a hydraulic pole pruner? I didn't realize they were made of gold.

<font color=green>stan</font color=green>

 

[MChalkley]

Stan - No, I can't say that I have. In fact, I didn't even know there was such a thing... So, how much are they?

MarkC

 

[StanInCalif]

Mark- the one I saw was less than 10' in length, looked like about 1 1/2" capacity, and was priced at $1185. Whew! - Back to the girl in the bucket.

<font color=green>stan</font color=green>

 

[HR_Mutt]

StanInCalif
Similar trimming required here. I was considering a set of pallot forks, use a pallot w/ a sheet of plywood for floor and have my own manlift/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif. It's not OSHA but it'll work around here.

Harv
Nice looking page you made
regards
Mutt

 

[Youare]

Nice pictures!

I had to repalce the shingles on part of the house roof this fall, it's a single story house. Used the FEL on my L3000 to lift bundles of shingles to the staging level. Saved the work of lugging them up the ladder. I also use it to transport bucket loads of fire wood from the wood pile to the house.

Randy

 

[Rodneyd]

Harv,
What a timely post. You're right. I couldn't justify a FEL when I bought the L2500 but now I am looking to add one. Looking at the pics I realize all the things I could have made short work of if I had the FEL 2 years ago. Oh well. I guess I'll have to be satisfied with looking forward to the things I can do in the future. I'm also going to show those pics to the better half just in case she isn't TOTALLY convinced "WE" need a FEL.

Rod

 

[TerryinMD]

Harv,

When I looked at buying my tractor, I had problems justifying the $2k+ for a FEL. They wife, err CFO /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif, had even bigger problems with the justification.

Well, after looking around, fretting and hawing, and shifting of feet and begging and cajoaling, we decided (key word WE) that we could afford the FEL. Not having to pay sales tax was a big help also!!!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

At first, I though, well, every once in a while I would need the FEL. Now, I know I couldn't live without it. That one purchase has saved us tons of time and just like the pictures illustrate, it's uses are unlimited. I have pushed, pulled, lifted, banged, smashed, bashed, and crashed into (remember that thread /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif) many things.

I then added the toothbar. Woo-who!!! More fun!!

Cheaper to buy with the tractor than later on. Do it at the time of purchase!!

Terry

 

[Jag]

Harv.... thanks for the pictures.. Does my heart good.. Our tractors look so much alike... Yes everyone get a FEL. You will do more with one than you can even start to believe. I remember telling my aunt to get a Kubota with a Front End Loader when she started to replace her old Ford N. Her reply was "a Loader!!! what on earth for" She now knows and thanks me every time we talk.

 

[mikim]

Same idea here - sorta - bought an electric pole saw and a generator (that can be used otherwise) plan on setting the generator on a 3 pt platform, running a cord forward strapped to the fel, and put me in the bucket with the wife at the wheel and go up and down our 3 miles of "roads" in the woods trimming limbs that are encroaching (sp?) making it hard to mow those said roads.
mike