Cliff Neubauer and Allan in NE - Farmhand 235 load

The only time we have had issues has been hauling manure and using the grapple fork to get a bigger load on - broke front end a couple times, spindle at least twice and then broke the main casting where the tube pivots once.

I like the shifting on it, 2nd gear high and reverse works out nice. Wish ours had the foot feed throttle to speed things up, though.

One thing I've noticed is that Allan is going to use the tractor hydraulic system to run the loader... Do you have the high volume pump? I ran a Hydro 86 with loader run through the system and it was SLOW. Our 1256 has a 540 PTO pump on it with separate reservoir and controls, makes it move nice and quick.

Anyway, always nice to see you guys sharing pictures - keeps my homesickness for the farm somewhat in check. I'll try to take and share more pics when I'm home in April and July...

You've just succeeded in scarin' the he!! out of me! :>)

Yeah, I've got the big pump and a new front end rebuild, but that front hangin' weight just absolutely drives me crazy. Dunno, I'm wondering if some under-bridging and cross-trussing isn't in order for the front axle?

Why can’t I use the narrow grapple head off my F-11? Aren’t they the same identical hook up? I know they do measure the same width on the dozer blade? Getting rid of that big heavy bucket would sure lighten the empty weight by about a 1,000lbs.

I sure like the quick way they hook/unhook tho. That’s just the cat’s meow. :>)

Allan

Allen, I wouldn't be too worried about breaking the front axle as long as you use some common sense. I try not to carry a bale on the loader unless I have one on the 3pt to counterbalance the weight on the loader and that helps alot. Our round bales are 5x6' bales out of a JD 566/567 baler and in the six years we had a loader on our 826 it was moving 500-600 bales a year, often 2-3 times a year and we never broke anything on the front axle which is alot lighter than what you have on your 66 series. When we took the loader off it we did discover than just about every wear part on the front axle was worn out but it had 11,000 hours and the front axle had never been rebuilt.

We did beef up the front end after it broke the last time, but all that does is show you the next weakest link.

Don't worry, you won't break it if you use common sense. And yes, your fork from the F11 will fit right on.

That little 5 foot fork will tame that big chunk of iron and my fobias too. :>)

Allan

I still have that image burnt into my mind of the old hay rack and that darned pitch fork. Every day, it was out to the field to manually get enough hay to get the critters fed because there was no such thing as loaders and hay movers.

Now, it's just a matter of pushin' a little button, sit back and watch things happen. :>)

Allan

That front end will be just fine under there if you use some common sense.

Every machine that is built can be broke if you abuse it enough.

Hauling a bucket full of manure that is as big as a bale of hay is alot heavier than that bale of hay.

When I worked at the weld shop we had certain customers that could break a D8 cat blade if they had one. Others can run a D8 all there lives and not bust a blade.

I've been using front loaders for 34 years now to handle bales and never broke a axle. First one was on a 460 with narrow front.

You will be just fine.

Gary

But, if I can take any un-necessay weight off, it sure couldn't hurt could it? Howard did it on his and I'd guess that my fork is even lighter yet.

Allan

Now if you really want to get the weight off get one of these.

I know you loose your grapple but if the tines are at the bottom of the frame you can use it as a forklift also.

If you had any trees out there they are great to pick up logs also. (:~})

Tim

Spears only for round bales, squeezes only on wrapped silage bales.