Bump up lift capacity of L3400/LA463 Loader
- Thread starter Goog
- Start date
- Views: 271021
sgtboz
New member
Well, I tried my hand at this mod over the weekend and figured I would share my results as well. My motive was not even 100% just to increase the lift capacity of my loader. I was also motivated by the desire to try new stuff and learn about things I've never done before. Of course, I couldn't have done it without this forum (along with countless other things I couldn't have done without this forum.
This was the 'before' state at the beginning of the project. You can see the quick coupler and fittings mated up to the pressure gauge. Multiple readings settled in right at 2250psi. A quick tip before you start - obviously you are trying to find the relieve pressure so you'll have to run your system to the max. This may seem obvious to everyone one but me but it's easiest to find relief pressure on the bucket roll function than the raise/lower function. I was doing this in my garage though and didn't have a ton of extra room. I also made pressure measurements at PTO speed.
This is the 22mm bolt that was removed (under the right foot on my L3700SU). Using the "shop vac in the hydraulic fill hole" tip, I didn't lose a bit of oil while the plug was out and this suction also kept the bolt and spring from falling out even when there were no threads engaged.
Here is the plug and spring as they first emerge:
I had ONE spring in my entire garage that was less than half an inch in diameter. And of course I dropped it never to be found again. Crap! I sure as heck didn't want to drive to town just to get a tiny washer but I couldn't find much of anything worthy of making a shim like I needed. I finally found another washer that was about 0.55 in diameter and 1.5mm thick. When's the last time you tried to build a tiny washer out of a tiny washer!?
What a dang nightmare. Anyway, after some burned fingers and extra time on the bench grinder, I had a reasonably uniform shim/washer.
Ready to go back together.
I actually wrote down my new max pressure goal before I started. I have a tendency to get a little 'greeder' or to just push the envelope a little bit more...thus, I had to do something a little extra to keep myself in check. My goal was 2500psi and by some great luck I hit it right on the nose my first try!
I took it out the next day after church and popped some 3-5" cedars out of the ground. Could I tell a significant difference? Not really, but I'm glad to have the experience under my belt and know that I have a little extra oomph in the system should I need it some day. Hopefully this will help someone else have the confidence to give it a try if they're so inclined.
This was the 'before' state at the beginning of the project. You can see the quick coupler and fittings mated up to the pressure gauge. Multiple readings settled in right at 2250psi. A quick tip before you start - obviously you are trying to find the relieve pressure so you'll have to run your system to the max. This may seem obvious to everyone one but me but it's easiest to find relief pressure on the bucket roll function than the raise/lower function. I was doing this in my garage though and didn't have a ton of extra room. I also made pressure measurements at PTO speed.
This is the 22mm bolt that was removed (under the right foot on my L3700SU). Using the "shop vac in the hydraulic fill hole" tip, I didn't lose a bit of oil while the plug was out and this suction also kept the bolt and spring from falling out even when there were no threads engaged.
Here is the plug and spring as they first emerge:
I had ONE spring in my entire garage that was less than half an inch in diameter. And of course I dropped it never to be found again. Crap! I sure as heck didn't want to drive to town just to get a tiny washer but I couldn't find much of anything worthy of making a shim like I needed. I finally found another washer that was about 0.55 in diameter and 1.5mm thick. When's the last time you tried to build a tiny washer out of a tiny washer!?
What a dang nightmare. Anyway, after some burned fingers and extra time on the bench grinder, I had a reasonably uniform shim/washer.Ready to go back together.
I actually wrote down my new max pressure goal before I started. I have a tendency to get a little 'greeder' or to just push the envelope a little bit more...thus, I had to do something a little extra to keep myself in check. My goal was 2500psi and by some great luck I hit it right on the nose my first try!
I took it out the next day after church and popped some 3-5" cedars out of the ground. Could I tell a significant difference? Not really, but I'm glad to have the experience under my belt and know that I have a little extra oomph in the system should I need it some day. Hopefully this will help someone else have the confidence to give it a try if they're so inclined.
LD1
Epic Contributor
Spec is like 2450. so 2500 wont hurt anything
Thanks LD1! if they say we are good to 10% over then I should be good to just under 2700psi. and if I use your 1 pound per 1 psi for lift I should gain 350 pounds at 2500psi and 550 pounds if I go to 2700psi. am I thinking in the right direction here?
LD1
Epic Contributor
I have had mine at 2650 for a long time and no issues
sgtboz
New member
Here are the McMaster parts I used for determining hydraulic pressure in the loader system, just in case it makes things quicker/easier for anyone:
Item 50925K345 - Compact Extreme Pressure, Steel Thread Fitting, 3/8 Male x 1/4 Female Pipe Size, Hex
Item 95825K82 - Steel ISO-B Hose Coupling, Sleeve-Lock Socket 3/8 Coupling, 3/8 NPTF Female
Item 3846K146 - Multipurpose Gauge, Steel Case, 2-1/2" Dial, 1/4 NPT Bottom, 0-3000PSI (not a fluid dampened gauge)
Item 50925K345 - Compact Extreme Pressure, Steel Thread Fitting, 3/8 Male x 1/4 Female Pipe Size, Hex
Item 95825K82 - Steel ISO-B Hose Coupling, Sleeve-Lock Socket 3/8 Coupling, 3/8 NPTF Female
Item 3846K146 - Multipurpose Gauge, Steel Case, 2-1/2" Dial, 1/4 NPT Bottom, 0-3000PSI (not a fluid dampened gauge)
kennyd
Advertiser
For $6 more we have one that includes a liquid filled 0-5000psi gauge, a 30" hose, and it's assembled ready to go.
If you just need the ISO7241 "B" Type nipple, we have those for only $6.50.
While I love McMaster Carr for their quality products and fast shipping, they are not always the best source.
Have my 3901 at 2650 as well, mine was close to yours at the factory a hair more if I remeber correctly. I have a pretty big oak stump on my property that the 3901 could get one side maybe a foot off the ground before the mod. After bumping up to 2650 it still wont lift it entirely but I was able to stand it straight up and flip it end over end to the burn pile. So yea it was a big improvement and so far no problems but only been about 20 hrs since the mod.
