Got the tractor back up the hill with my friend's help (and his ATV). Just pulled very gently and after a few feet of help, the tractor climbed the rest effortlessly.
Pulled the FEL today to try out the MMM since the grass grew just enough to be able to actually see where I cut. It cuts really nicely and the tractor is a whole different animal without the loader - super maneuverable. I also found that I don't think I need wheel spacers. The rear tires are loaded with beet juice. I tried cutting some of the slopes that I cut with my old x500 (maybe 15 degrees sideways) and the stability felt really similar. I got off a few times as I gradually got to steeper inclines and gently rocked it and it's firmly planted.
I do need to practice reconnecting the FEL more, though. I had a heck of a time lining up the left side. I'd get the bottom to hook, then as I curled the bucket to get the top to hook the right side went fine but the left side would pop the bottom out. Just as I was going to walk away and try again later, I looked and it was in position, I locked it, and it was good to go. First time I removed and remounted it as a test, I didn't struggle nearly as much. I'm wondering if it's because my garage floor has a slight slope to a center drain and previously I did it on a totally flat concrete pad under a canopy out back.
Pulled the FEL today to try out the MMM since the grass grew just enough to be able to actually see where I cut. It cuts really nicely and the tractor is a whole different animal without the loader - super maneuverable. I also found that I don't think I need wheel spacers. The rear tires are loaded with beet juice. I tried cutting some of the slopes that I cut with my old x500 (maybe 15 degrees sideways) and the stability felt really similar. I got off a few times as I gradually got to steeper inclines and gently rocked it and it's firmly planted.
I do need to practice reconnecting the FEL more, though. I had a heck of a time lining up the left side. I'd get the bottom to hook, then as I curled the bucket to get the top to hook the right side went fine but the left side would pop the bottom out. Just as I was going to walk away and try again later, I looked and it was in position, I locked it, and it was good to go. First time I removed and remounted it as a test, I didn't struggle nearly as much. I'm wondering if it's because my garage floor has a slight slope to a center drain and previously I did it on a totally flat concrete pad under a canopy out back.