Loader L3800 FEL Lift Capacity ... Ha Ha

[littlehorsefarm]

As many of you know, when I was deciding on the Kubota L3800 I was really concerned about the FEL capability, lifting capacity; and I was worried about lifting round bales. Thanks to all those who contributed information during my shopping research ... here is some proof related to what the L3800 can actually do ...

The picture of the truck with 2 round bales in the bed shows a standard 4x5 close to the cab, which weighs about 1100 pounds. This is normally what I have...

The bale hanging off the back is an anomaly ... The baler kicks out Texas bales which are 5x6 and weigh in at about 1800 pounds. These bales are rolled super tight, so much so that I need to really power into them with the bale spear to penetrate the center. Note the truck squatting ... that's a 4x4!

Lifting the Texas bale out of the the ol' F150 ... Drum roll please .... Once I had the bale speared, I had to spin up to about 2400 rpm in order to angle the load/rotate the bale in the bed. I pulled back on the control and the bale rose without difficulty. I lifted the bale just enough to clear the bed ... no pucker at this time! I heard the hydraulics working to lift the bale but no problems.

I backed away in R1 and was careful not to make any sudden moves. I stopped, lowered the bale and moved the bale about 20 feet with it hanging 6 inches of the ground at the end of the bale spear

I tested the hydraulics one more time by increasing RPM and lifting to a height of about 5 feet, and then back down.

Now I'm not saying it's a good idea to move this size bale on a regular basis, nor would I recommend driving any distance without more ballast on the rear ... I'll try the backhoe on the back the next time I have a bale like this.

What I am saying is in my opinion this little compact tractor packs a punch. I feel moving a bale like this on anything other that flat ground would be UNSAFE. I also think this bale is about the limit for lifting, however I'd be willing to bet that if an operator were to move slowly and load the hydraulic system progressively, not herky jerky; I think the L3800 could handle a job like this on a regular basis. If I break something I'll let you know!

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

[General Lee]

Impressive! I'm also impressed that Ol' F-150 is handling roughly 3,000 lbs in the bed.

[littlehorsefarm]

Impressive! I'm also impressed that Ol' F-150 is handling roughly 3,000 lbs in the bed.

I've got an extra leaf ... I carry 300 gallons of water out to the field in the bed of that truck regulary. The bed floor is buckling ... Poor old girl

[riprap]

I'm impressed that both the truck and tractor can handle that load on the face of a vertical cliff !

[taborekle]

According to the spec sheet on the LA524 loader, you are right at the capacity of what it can lift.

[LD1]

I am not trying to dispute your #'s, but IF that big bale weighs 1800lbs. that little bale ISNT 1100

Just based on volume of a 4x5 and a 6x5 bale, and IF the large bale weighs 1800, that smaller bale is more like 800lbs.

But yes indeed, these tractors ARE impressive.

The biggest thing you got going for you is the way your bale spear is hooked up. By ditching the bucket, the benefits are 2-fold. You get the bale in closer to the tractor, AND you drop the ~260# of bucket. But you would NEVER do that with a bolt on spear IF that bale does weigh 1800, even though these loaders are a little underrated.

I have the L3400, which is practically the same tractor. I have had no toruble lifting My 1100lb bushhog, or a ~1400lb propane tank right at the cutting edge, where the rated capaity is only ~860lbs

[bigbull338]

lifting a 5 by 6 bale is overkill for that tractor.although it can lift it i think id put a shredder on the rear end next time you unload hay.my new tractor had to lift 5 by 6 bales or the deal was off.but you have a stout tractor there.

[mjfox6]

... Note the truck squatting ... that's a 4x4! ...

4x4's normally have a lower payload capacity than 4x2's. Just saying.

2011 F-150 (5.0L V8)
4x2 = 3060 lbs
4x4 = 2770 lbs

2011 Ford F-150 | View Payload Specifications | Ford.com

[littlehorsefarm]

4x4's normally have a lower payload capacity than 4x2's. Just saying.

2011 F-150 (5.0L V8)
4x2 = 3060 lbs
4x4 = 2770 lbs

2011 Ford F-150 | View Payload Specifications | Ford.com

Good point ... I mentioned 4x4 because the truck sits higher than the 2wd. The axles were just about on the frame stops. FYI this is not something I do often (overload to this extreme). I was offered the oversize bale and thought I'd better take it while the offer was on the table.

[bigbull338]

i dont know how meny horses your feeding but bale wise you be better off with the 5 by 6 bale.because they last longer.but safty wise your better off with a 4 by 5 or 4 by 6 bale.