8 Common Operation Mistakes with Loaders on Tractors

[@johnmyers6097]

I’ve been operating for 55 years now. I learned from the best, my daddy. So many tractor dealers are just interested in the sale not you or your experience , expertise or lack of. Thanks Neil for taking the time to show new owner, operators how and how not to operate. Great job On the video.

[@Senkino5o]

Neil sure does have an easy-going confidence before the camera - He explains things real well and good to see from a business - Makes your business come across as open and honest and not corporate and aloof - Seems like you actually want our business. Good stuff and God bless.

[@Shovelups]

Being a new tractor owner, I've learned so much from your videos. Thank you!!

[@gtdude2883]

Ditto that.👍

[@goaheadmakeourdayscooterpe9644]

If your just about done leveling the dirt or stones back drag with a full bucket ,the added weight will help immensely.

[@deanbarr5740]

Good instructions Neil. I've operated loaders since 1978. Though I'm not an expert I'm not too shabby either. You explained things very well and especially using the "Curl and Lift" technique. Good job. I always enjoy your work. Thanks Neil.

[@frankiemiller1400]

Dude you are the Best Salesmen I have had the pleasure of watching. I am hopefully going to be buying a new tractor soon and you have gave so much information on these tractors. Thanks for your info

[@anthonysanchez9746]

I just bought the L47. That machine is an absolute beast. Great video Neil!!

[@Ramdodge582]

what did it cost?

[@anthonysanchez9746]

@@Ramdodge582 53k with the 3 point and 1% for 72 months.

[@rheidtech]

Great vid. Every homeowner should watch this at the start of every season.

[@Porty1119]

I don't own a tractor, but I've got a good bit of time running skid-steers and wheel loaders in mines and this is pretty much spot-on. It does give me a bit of heartburn seeing the load entirely carried on the cylinders with that loader design. Skid-steers and the LHD I own have load blocks to put the entire payload on the frame, which is necessary when the machine's ROC is half its operating weight!

[@earlwilson5002]

I've had my kabota 2620 for about 7 years now, and always learning techniques from your videos. Thanks and keep up the great service

[@bartonmd]

That is so, so true about the versatility of a loader. We use the forks on the 5320 (Deere) to load logs onto the car hauler trailer, then tow it home with full length logs on it, chainsaw into firewood length while standing straight up (not hunched over on the ground), then just roll them over onto the splitter, and the heaviest thing we ever have to lift in the whole process is the split pieces to stack them.

[@ProjectWildwood]

Great video even for someone without a Kubota

[@jobob9643]

Are you doing another season of Always sunny in Philadelphia?

[@tjedmiston]

Mistake number one, loaning out your tractor to friends

[@learnjcbskidsterchickensga7594]

My cousin bought in with me so I could not loan skiddy out.

[@awakentruth1116]

Or even worse... family 🤦‍♂️

[@imout671]

Old farmer told me he always said "let me get my hat and go with you"

[@bobjones1131]

@@learnjcbskidsterchickensga7594 An old guy told me that you don't loan out your wife or your tractor, cause most likely, a rod is going to get thrown in either one 😁!

[@markopalikko6986]

Great comment! Same goes for your chainsaw...

[@dannyfischer8336]

There is a lot of good information in these videos. I've been to other instructional videos for tractors, skid steers, etc, but your videos explain the do's and don't's whereas the other videos do not show what could happen like your videos do.

[@shandor2522]

Good advice! And clues about how tractors need to be completely redesigned to meet modern reality.

[@stanleygolumbiyevski7633]

Neil, thank you for the tips. Very instructive !

[@mackattack4202]

Just got our tractor man and ur videos get to the point. Keep up the good work. Thanks man.

[@aspitofmud6257]

Classic "You're doing it wrong!" video. Thanks Niel. We needed that. 😁👍

[@gscott5778]

You also demonstrated Mistake Number 9 - Putting an Unbalanced load in your bucket. On level ground that might not be an issue but turn the tractor around quickly or head into some cross terrain movement and as you demonstrated by loading one side of your bucket - you are setting up a potential problem - Even without transporting with the bucket up.

[@sheckyfeinstein]

Thanks. Fluid and very helpful.

[@robertberry7194]

95 B2400, loader on since new with the quick mounts.. only have had it off a handful of times in all these years. It IS the single most used and useful attachment on my tractor. It is a great feature to have when running the brush mower on a new unknown field, I set the bucket just off the grade while mowing, if something big is hidden I find it before the mower launches it or blow tires. Ballast, ballast, ballast!! AND SEATBELTS! A rollover can happen quick

[@moeshouse575]

MOE here. i worked at J.I. Case in the experimental shop in the early 70s. i learned a lot from the old timers. as this was when rollover bars, falling object protection was coming into use. by rights you should have a seat belt on, and a hard hat. if you have no seat belt and the tractor flips you bounce around like a ping-pong ball. find some really good old timers to help you.

[@AvgJoe0007]

As Neil pointed out, not having enough rear ballast for the load weight on front easily causes losing rear wheel traction from the rear wheels being lifted partially or completely off the ground. It's not a good idea to do that, but if you are going to insist on doing that, putting your front wheels into 4-wheel drive, if you've got it, can allow you to move with your rear wheels losing traction. Using 4 wheel drive can get you out of nasty predicaments you foolishly got yourself into by overloading the front, but that can get you into worse predicaments. It's very dangerous to drive around powered by your front wheels with hardly any traction or no traction at all on your rear wheels. Hitting bumps can cause your rear end to rise high in the air and your front load to pitch down throwing you forward in your seat, or even out of it if you don't have your seatbelt on. It's also much easier to tip your tractor over with too much weight on front and your rear center of gravity high in the air. And if you're turning in that configuration, you're not doing your 4 wheel drive gears or steering mechanisms any favors by using them that much overloaded where you have the entire weight of your tractor plus your load on two small patches of rubber in front and on your front mechanisms. That's not how you tractor is designed to operate. But ... four wheel drive can help when you're overloaded in front. Be careful. Don't ask me how I know.

[@scotcoon1186]

Aw hell, moving 2x2x6 concrete blocks with the old 555b, we'd extend the hoe and balance on the front tires.

[@sandramotichak3066]

A few more tips . . . 1. Do not proceed down a steep hill with a loaded bucket unless you are in 4 wheel drive. If you do not have 4 wheel drive don't go down the hill. 2. If when winter is just about over (March + - ?) when the ground is thawing, with mud on the upper portion of deep frozen ice in the soil below, just stay home and do not even think about going down that hill with any tractor (loader or trailer). My kids still talk about this adventure at family gatherings. 2. Do not snap roll back the bucket when in the fully up position to seat the load. Debris will fall all over the hood of the tractor and if they are rocks, will make a big negative impression on your hood. 3. No matter what do not stab the load with the tractor. Running into the mound of dirt will destroy the loader. Work the pile into submission, then lift.

[@nicholaspaque7838]

Just subscribed to your channel. I've watched this video several times and it helps each time. Thanks for the great material.

[@prjndigo]

a bucket indicator is one of the easiest things to make and put on, if you're not using one you really should. a degree reader is superior and easy enough to mount too

[@sharonkelly1766]

I live in Washington, Maine and agree with you. Idiots are in the government! !

[@johnnyturbo8460]

Lol is it bad i sing along to the Messicks song? Lol wooohooo Neil is back!

[@lololollaughatlife1431]

I bought an LS tractor about the equivalent size as the one in this video. I’ve never operated a tractor before so I am trying to learn all I can to be safe!

[@swampwhiteoak1]

Outstanding! Always buy a front end loader.

[@mekosmowski]

This was very informative. Thank you.

[@kevinashby3784]

I just bought a new Mx5200. I learned a couple of things that will help me do a better job.

[@iamfrankstallone]

Great video and tons of links in the description -- except for a link to the video on back dragging mentioned in this video. 🙈

[@NuclearPower45]

Would like to see you and Dennis and Charlie do a video together. Sweet Dee could join too.

[@russelllangille5969]

#9 digging into a hard pile at an angle or cornering into pile this is hard on the pins, arms and hydraulic system. work the face as flat as possible working one way and then picking up wind rows plus the face of your cut, much more efficient. the island of dirt at the end center the pile and it will be picked up easily. good job, russ

[@eyemanm6045]

Always clear advise

[@georgeschuster8718]

Thanks Neil

[@catskinner3254]

Leveling the bucket, what do you think the two metal L brackets on the top of the bucket are for? They are the bucket levelers, they are parallel with the cutting edge.

[@garyjerniganjr]

Do yall have a video on backhoe attachments?

[@shiteetah]

I don’t drive tractors or use front end loaders but if I ever do, I’ll have a good idea of what to do and what not to do. Thank you.

[@jimhiatt5279]

I'm just learning to operate my new/old used L39Tlb. -- My info is to let the engine warm up at the lowest rpm it will run at until it hits 3 heat bars. The engine will pay you back in more years of service and less rebuilding. Got some flack on this but Low rpm warming before you go will let you go for a few years longer.

[@MessicksEquip]

That same engine is used in refrigerator trucks, it goes between off and full throttle over and over its entire life. In that application they last 20000 hours, will way out last the rest of the tractor.

[@tmp7504]

those flat sheet metal triangles ON the top bucket edge are visual reference to level of the bottom of the bucket

[@karvtek]

Very informative. Thank you. I just got my first tractor.

[@jedetraktor_cz]

thumbs up for perfect audio ! :-)

[@zanymosquito]

K

[@ritterjon]

💥great tips! Keep on tractoring!

[@Rick-se5qm]

The loader is used often on my BX I hate to remove it for mowing. Over the years I learned how not to crash the bucket into trees and large rocks while mowing .

[@lonnieporter8566]

Drove a forklift professionally for forty years. Understanding the Stability Pyramid is just as important using a tractor.

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks Neil. Great video. So very helpful for us new guys. Cheers!

[@oldcountryman2795]

The loops on the top of the bucket are level indicators. If your eye can't tell when they're level glue a bulls-eye bubble level on one of them.

[@lawrencedelong9748]

GREAT VIDEO. I never met Neil Messick at a Kubota Dealer Annual Meeting; nevertheless; I can say his family dealership is STRONG and TIGHT. Therefore, they earned my motto: " OH YEA ! "

[@StefanBacon]

Once you start to lift into the pile, don't you want to roll the bucket forward a little to maintain your cutting angle? Looked there like you were just pushing the bottom of the bucket into the cut face. Thanks for making the video though, I did learn something!

[@RayWoosley]

Awesome video!

[@cabbyhubby]

I like big buckets and I cannot lie!

[@wolfmaan]

Great video! Cheers mate!!

[@oldfarmsawmill3098]

The way you demonstrate "mistake number 8" is exactly what you don't want to do. You drive into the pile too fast and curl the bucket too quickly. It requires a lot more finesse that what you are doing. Also. If there is a pile of hard dirt, just simply back-drag material off the pile and than scoop it up with the loader. It will work like a charm, even with a much smaller machine.

[@robertbalawender3367]

I totally agree. Very good point. Plus, that helps put a more level load in the bucket.

[@jeffreysheldrake3243]

Technique is the answer. I learnt on an old manual industrial tractor. Good hydraulic system..water in the wheels and NEVER ride the clutch. You choose a low gear ..engage diff lock..run slow into it and use the hydraulic power. I only used the clutch for starting stopping and raising but not for slipping to load

[@recyclebills]

Modern tractors are too easy to run. Any fool can run one but that doesn't mean the fool can operate it correctly. You had to be smarter to run those old tractors and trucks.

[@bern_2298]

I have a Kabota 7060 the throttle pedal seems like it sits off to the right with the loader bucket controllers it’s almost like you have to turn your foot out to push the throttle is there a fix for that. Thanks And great videos

[@jamespeterson9619]

Love you work, keep it up.

[@ColeyCLogan]

In the video you did a corner lift with the bucket. I think it called a corner lift. For that machine it maybe fine. But lifting or forcing just the corner into material and lifting is bad or bad for lighter machines or can be bad over time? Seeing the demonstration of the curl and lift was useful. I may have missed some of the warnings related to my question.

[@zjorvis95]

Great Video! Well explained! Thanks!

[@Brad772006]

I installed the bucket from a Cat 998 on my loader. It works terrible.

[@aaronwoods4551]

Another point is don't ram the machine into a pile like he did. Also dont push dirt with the bucket tilted all the way down you can brake your cylinders doing that.

[@wwsenecado]

Love the videos also. Have a BX1880 with loader. Turf tires say 38psi. Manual says 17psi. Video says to go to top end of tire rating when using loader which would be 38. Parts guy at dealership says 25 psi. Any advice would help.

[@sinksks]

Very good

[@mikenoble8517]

Strive to make all operations smooth. Smooth is control.

[@rabtfarm]

I personally believe you can easily tip over a tractor with an empty raised loader...all you need is turning on a slight slope.

[@larrycainjr]

Great tips! Thank you!

[@Mark-Aussie1529]

What’s your opinion on, loading tractor tyres with fluids?. I personally say use counterweights. Anyway appreciate your opinion. And are warranty issues a problem with those who add fluids to tyres?.

[@vincegordon3394]

Excellent!

[@brucerusso1970]

Great stuff Neil !

[@vaztion]

In love with that L47

[@squeaky61]

No link to backdragging video?!

[@cuper4295]

One trick on getting your bucket level on the ground is to 1) put the loader in float, 2) let the bucket fall to the ground approximately flat, 3) slowly rock the curl/dump, 4) it's then easy to see the low point (i.e., the bucket is flat when the arms are at their low point).

[@gregnewlin1074]

Just a little additional information.. Adding a skid steer quick attach will move your load 3 inches farther forward. This degrades the lift capacity about 300 lbs. Anything that move the load forward of the lower bucket hinge pin is not good!

[@MessicksEquip]

Your right, but it's not nearly 300lbs. I have several videos testing this with load cells

[@gregnewlin1074]

@@MessicksEquip I work in the forklit industry and that is around the average for a hang on side shifter attachment.

[@MrFrankturbo1]

Great vid Neil !

[@motoboymatt]

He reminds me of Mac from Its always sunny in Philadelphia

[@jjfore0921]

Damn. That’s spot on! I will never take him seriously again!😳

[@davec.3198]

I'm heading to the gym to oil down dudes.

[@mabamabam]

Country Mac?

[@dwaynerobare1153]

Are there attachments that throw snow instead of pushing it?

[@UncaDave]

Thanks new subscriber!

[@grant2k]

I'd also mention keeping the front wheels on the ground when back dragging or loading. Wheels in the air aren't doing any work.

[@scotcoon1186]

And float takes care of that

[@dreamingtree]

Great videos! Women drive tractors too.

[@bobgay2480]

My Kubota Backhoe refuses to take grease into the lower pivot fitting. I cannot tell if it is taking grease as the fitting seems to be clogged. I have repositioned the backhoe in all 4 positions. any ideas?

[@chatkat9765]

Great Information, Thanks

[@warren6891]

Look behind you when backing up.

[@fourgedmushrooms5958]

Yea counter weight is mega important. My sub compact loader is useless without something on the back. Wheel spin is the main problem

[@BornRandy62]

the loader arms can shift weight from front to back. for example pulling a loaded wagon out of a drive onto the roadway. as the tractor leaves the dirt or gravel drive the agle of approach will change and suddenly the back tires will be spinning. lifting the loader up all the way will pit enough weight back so that you can leave the drive. of course lower the arms afterward

[@imatt6566]

the two Angle Brackets at the top of the bucket are usually parallel to the floor of the bucket.

[@scotcoon1186]

The top of the end of the bucket on things bigger than fancy toys.

[@justindavis1546]

Another great video. Thank you for all your videos, I've learned a lot from you.

[@stevesmith-wc2gb]

Wish my tractor had come with that style skid steer quick attach coupler I would be more happy and a backup alarm and flashing warning light bar

[@ffjsb]

Even snow can be overweight. There's a HUGE difference in snow weight when it falls at 30 degrees or 20 degrees.

[@frenchfryfarmer436]

On back drag. ...weld on a sharp heavy angle iron across the back to create a good edge with bucket level.

[@damocuddihy7920]

Good job 🙏🤗

[@joehardy3692]

I’ve never had a problem of my 2501 lifting double the lift capacity...I’d be happy if it just lifted rated capacity - rating at the pin means less real work

[@mr.redneck2715]

I worked for a company that had a no spin-policy, spin the wheels while loading ( pick up your check). No exceptions. And you My friend are fired!!

[@michaelcipperley5129]

NEVER EVER TRAVEL WITH THE BOOM IN THE AIR PERIOD AND IF U DO U WILL EVENTUALLY GET URSELF INTO TROUBLE

[@conorcrowley989]

michael cipperley wouldn’t agree with you Michael. Ok I will admit I am driving completely different tractors 110hp or a 170hp but when I am driving along the road I always lift the boom when at cross roads and going around turns in the narrow roads of Ireland

[@zorroonmilkavitch1840]

Lifting and driving with a Full Bucket load of piglets I want to keep them pretty high so that they won't want to jump out then when you squish them with your tires it gets real messy

[@HarryHound1]

Hi Neil Great videos, keep it up. Question, with the new hydrostatic pedals linked to the throttle engine speed, what happens if you have a mower on the pto at 540 when you slow down to turn? Does the mower stop cutting? Would make a good video Michael

[@MessicksEquip]

You'd turn off auto hst to decouple them

[@HarryHound1]

Messick's thanks, I didn’t know that was possible Michael

[@pcicchin]

Another problem with the latch pins not fully engaging on skidsteer attaches is that ONE will get seated BEHIND the plate with the hole in it and jam back there. It's a real pain to get it unstuck! Also, I had a coworker tear the counterweight off the 3pt on a case 560 loader (no hoe). They never got it fixed, and 6-8 month later the frint left tire flew off on me. All that front weight had worn through the axle (NOT 4wd) and they wound up having to replace both axles!!

[@tommac8602]

I'm needing a narrower bucket. 48" wide to get into a livestock trailer. Do you have such?

[@MessicksEquip]

Yes

[@golfy808]

Tip 9.. Kubota (for many many years) welded those brackets behind the top side of the bucket showing (parallel).. It's even labelled

[@MegaBobcatt]

I never noticed how small the tires look compared to the tractor we have which is 40 hp. How big is this tractor?

[@MessicksEquip]

47hp, it's an industrial tractor

[@andythomson2706]

Traveling with the loader in the air is just crazy.