L3800 FEL storage

[Islandguy]

I just got a new L3800 and have a question about the front end loader. When it was delivered we took it off, put it on and took it off again so perhaps the procedure would be imprinted on my brain.
That single lever control is going to take some getting used to after using my old tractor for thirty years or so. My question is, will a tractor shed with a gravel floor be a problem for, more or less, long term storage of the FEL? Is it critical that the floor be a solid material to make reinstalling go smoothly. I know that support is needed under the kick stands, I'll use some plywood. Thanks

 

[gpreuss]

I don't think you will have a problem, particularly if the floor is old, packed and dry. If you have it to spare, use a couple of pieces of plywood on each side. When you are ready to disconnect, make sure you curl the bucket all the way, to lift the FEL frame as high as possible so you can for sure get the tractor front tires under the frame when you are ready to reconnect. As long as the rear wheels and the bucket are in the same plane and you can get the hydraulics connected, you should be OK.

 

[Islandguy]

Thanks for the reply. I'm just building the new tractor shed now, my wife will want her carport spot come winter. I haven't got to the floor yet but I was thinking of using quarter minis crushed rock and I guess I could rent one of those little, what ever you call them, steam rollers to pack it good and hard. The plywood you mentioned would be for under the kick stands, right? I guess it wouldn't be a good idea to put stickers under the bucket? The new 3800 will be used mostly for mowing so the FEL will spend allot of time resting. What a pleasure it is mowing without the FEL.That roll bar is going to require some trimming of tree limbs tho.

 

[gpreuss]

Yes, plywood under the kickstands. If you are going to rent a plate compactor, and your ground is rich, black stuff, I'd recommend 1-1/4 or 1-1/2 minus crushed rock to get some structure in the floor.

 

[Kingcreek]

check with a local asphalt/paving contractor and have them come in for 15 minutes with a roller compactor. They might do a better job than a plate compactor for beer money.

 

[ShaunRH]

Jumping jacks have the highest compaction rating (even greater than a full size asphalt roller with vibration!) but they are harder to work with on gravel, light or heavy. We did it with a first pass using the standard plate and a second with a larger 2' x 2' plywood buffer to 'finish pack' the look of the gravel. It worked but it wasn't as good as a roller compactor would've finished it.

For the small cost, where your are going to store your FEL, you may want to consider concrete bricks or inexpensive pavers. You can level those and set heights you want with them, and fill gravel around them. That way, even if you need to 'relocate' the spot you can just move pavers and within a half hour your spot is back in working condition. It's almost as cheap as plywood but with far tougher and more adjustable results.

 

[Islandguy]

Some good suggestions, thanks all. I will go with the larger crushed rock. I am assuming the reason a hard floor is needed is the elevation difference between FEL and tractor must not change. Any change would make it very difficult to get the FEL back on? Or maybe theres a little lee way when rotating the bucket (that would be resting on a piece of plywood or stickers)? I can visualize jacking up one or the other to get things to line up. I appreciate the help folks.

 

[D2Cat]

If you're going to use crushed rock, you could just order a load of "screenings" to spread on top. You can take a garden hose and wet it down a couple of times and soon it will be as tight a concrete. This material is the left overs from the crusher and will pack tight. It's also the cheapest material in the quarry.

 

[Islandguy]

If you're going to use crushed rock, you could just order a load of "screenings" to spread on top. You can take a garden hose and wet it down a couple of times and soon it will be as tight a concrete. This material is the left overs from the crusher and will pack tight. It's also the cheapest material in the quarry.

Good, Thanks Tomorrow I'll call about getting a couple P/U loads of crushed rock and a load of screenings to put on top. I use quarter minus on my 500+ foot driveway and it packs nice and tight, trouble is when it rains it tracks in the house.

 

[Bluegill]

My FEL lives in a dirt floor shed, no problems.

 

[D2Cat]

Islandguy, if you're tracking in off the drive after a rain, you can order some small washed rock and spread it as thin as you can/want. It will eliminate that.