Front end loader technique

[pfeathers]

I am a new BX25d owner. In the operators manual it say not to use the loader with the bucket in the dumped position to bulldoze. I have read on other sites, the bulldozing or pushing is not good on the cylinders and linkage.

What about scraping or back dragging with the bucket in the dumped position. Is this a bad thing to do or is it a common front end loader technique?

 

[85Hokie]

when you place pressure on the bucket going forward and it hits something hard like a root or concrete, it will try to bend the bucket "under"...
when you backdrag, if you hit something hard it will ride up and skip over ...
hope this makes sense.....
think of a wheel barrow full of concrete, and you run into a root, boom - you are hurting.... but backing over the root - you'll bounce a bit but not hurt parts of the body!

I have the piranha tooth bar, it works awesome when backdragging!

 

[Eric McCarthy]

Plenty of times I've had the bucket cut edge at about a 45 degree angle to the ground and put enough down pressure to lift the front end up and back drag that way. Been doing it for a while on loaders of various sizes and havent had a problem yet.

I read a few tips and tricks on loader work and back draging in a book years ago called Moving the Earth. It was published by a general land contractor and site engineer back in the 60's. The book is loaded with all kinds of useful info for site work and grading.

 

[Donystoy]

I frequently use my loader for bulldozer work as well as back dragging. I use common sense and watch that I am only moving loose material. My loader is not a Kubota model as Kubota Canada was only importing the tractor and mower when I purchased it new in 1985 (at least that is what I was told). After purchasing it I beefed up the end stops on the bucket. There is no issue with the cylinders since when at the end stops they are only along for the ride as they are not bottomed out.

 

[cerlawson]

Interesting. Someone who reads the book. Seems like over kill to worry about such things if you have common sense.

 

[SteveF]

Interesting. Someone who reads the book. Seems like over kill to worry about such things if you have common sense.

Knowledge is acquired by reading. Knowledge and common sense are a great combo. Castigating someone for acquiring knowledge is closed-minded. One will never know what one does not know.

 

[Kurtee]

Knowledge is acquired by reading. Knowledge and common sense are a great combo. Castigating someone for acquiring knowledge is closed-minded. One will never know what one does not know.

Knowledge is also acquired by experience. There is also always some type of payment made to acquire the knowledge. In reading the cost is the time to read about someone else's experience. In gaining the experience first hand the cost can be anywhere from wasted time and money to death and dismemberment. Common sense would be that reading is the fastest most cost effective way to acquire the knowledge.

The old saying that "ignorance is bliss" does not apply to equipment operation, ignorance is deadly.

KURTEE

 

[Eric McCarthy]

Why beat your brains in trying to figure things out the hard and costly way if you can pick up a book and read from someone else who has years of experiance and has been there and done that.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

If I had a few extra bucks to spend I'd buy the latest edition.

http://www.amazon.com/Moving-The-Ea...d=1388381460&sr=8-1&keywords=Moving+the+Earth

 

[Eric McCarthy]

SWEET I found it! Here is the eiditon my dad owns and from time to time when I was a kid through my teen years I'd pick the book up quite often and read it pretty much cover to cover several times though out my youth.

How many kids do you know reading books on dirt working??

http://www.amazon.com/Moving-Earth-...=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388381967&sr=1-8

 

[SteveF]

Eric, I can see by the joy your in your post you are enthused to have found that textbook. Must mean a lot to you, especially with the connection to your father.

I attended community college right of high school in 1969. That school had a two year program for heavy equipment operation. Though I don't know if "Moving the Earth" was a particular text in the curriculum, I'm sure the classroom did use text books. Reading is critical to learning but it seems to be losing importance with the what have you done fore me lately mindset coupled with the ease of repeating sound bites of our youth.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

No greater feeling in this world then beeing a hard headed teenager 14-15 and climbing onto the old mans tractor and showing him up and beating him at his own game of playing in the dirt. The priceless look on his face of me knowing how to operate and gettign something done when he didnt have a clue I had an ounce of knowledge about it.

Even to this day at me being 32 years old he constantly under estimates me and is blown away and dumb founded when he realizes I KNOW how to do something. I think maybe his memory is starting to go a little bit because dad still seems to think I'm in my early 20's.

 

[mike paulson]

Just gotta look at the angles and dangles of things to figure out what might hurt your bucket.

 

[SteveF]

No greater feeling in this world then beeing a hard headed teenager 14-15 and climbing onto the old mans tractor and showing him up and beating him at his own game of playing in the dirt. The priceless look on his face of me knowing how to operate and gettign something done when he didnt have a clue I had an ounce of knowledge about it.

Even to this day at me being 32 years old he constantly under estimates me and is blown away and dumb founded when he realizes I KNOW how to do something. I think maybe his memory is starting to go a little bit because dad still seems to think I'm in my early 20's.

Eric, my oldest son is 32... You are mistaking your father's pride in you for him allowing you to show what you know. With all due respect, some day you will understand! Btw, it is really hard to see that little turd who was always breaking things and getting into trouble turn into a responsible adult. Yup you are right you will always be a little boy! Happy New Year.

 

[TripleR]

Eric, my oldest son is 32... You are mistaking your father's pride in you for him allowing you to show what you know. With all due respect, some day you will understand! Btw, it is really hard to see that little turd who was always breaking things and getting into trouble turn into a responsible adult. Yup you are right you will always be a little boy! Happy New Year.

Some interesting points, I have been son, father, grandfather and great grandfather, I take pride in all things my offspring can do and often hop off the tractor and have one of my sons take over as they are better. There is an old saying, in part: "Poor is the pupil who does not surpass his master."

My forty-four year old is still my little boy and in my 60's, my ninety plus year old mom still sees me as her little boy; such is life.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

Nawh I'm serious if you ask my dad how old he think I am he'll tell ya I'm 21 or 22. I guess its kinda hard for him to realize the fact I've been looking him eye to eye since I was like 14/15 years old. I guess he see facial hair and thinks I'm atleast no longer a teenager.

And add to the fact I never get his approval on ANYTHING, never heard an "atta boy" or good job son im proud of you. He's an asshole what can I say....

 

[TripleR]

Nawh I'm serious if you ask my dad how old he think I am he'll tell ya I'm 21 or 22. I guess its kinda hard for him to realize the fact I've been looking him eye to eye since I was like 14/15 years old. I guess he see facial hair and thinks I'm atleast no longer a teenager.

And add to the fact I never get his approval on ANYTHING, never heard an "atta boy" or good job son im proud of you. He's an asshole what can I say....

That's truly a bad situation and one I can identify with; long story. I have a great relationship with my sons and daughters; takes work on the part of all involved and I make sure to compliment them and thank them for their help.

 

[SteveF]

Nawh I'm serious if you ask my dad how old he think I am he'll tell ya I'm 21 or 22. I guess its kinda hard for him to realize the fact I've been looking him eye to eye since I was like 14/15 years old. I guess he see facial hair and thinks I'm atleast no longer a teenager.

And add to the fact I never get his approval on ANYTHING, never heard an "atta boy" or good job son im proud of you. He's an asshole what can I say....

Eric, well that's your dad's loss! I can tell just from following your posts on this board that you are very knowledgeable and experienced in many things. Take solace during those times it gets you down of all the great things you can do.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

It is what it is and I undstand its just who he is as a person and a father. He will not change so no need in expecting much from him other then a hard time and alot of grief.

 

[TableRocked]

Hey guys, thanks for the tip on the book. I just found a 1976 printing (I was 6 years old) on Etsy for only $15 including shipping and ordered it. Granted, I'll have the book ahead of actually owning a tractor, but can't wait to do alot of reading while I save up the cash for my future toy.....