Bigger boom cylinder

radman1 · Dec 14, 2008

Has anyone considered putting a larger boom cylinder on the TC? The current one is 3000 psi, welded, 2.5" bore, 1.5" rod and 22.89" stroke. I am considering putting on a 3000 psi, welded, 3" cylinder with a 1.75" rod and 22.75" stroke. The new cylinder is about .75" longer retracted but I can cut a little off of the base end to make almost the same length. However, the 3" cylinder will push about 50% more force. I am correct in assuming if the TC can lift 2000 lbs currently (although rated for 1500#), it will now lift nearly 3000 lbs with the 50% increase in force?

DEWFPO · Dec 14, 2008

I think it's a matter of balance. If you can lift 3000 lbs instead of 1500-2000 lbs, then you will need to add weight to the bed to be able to handle that load safely. As long as you don't exceed the GVWR then the question may be can the arm pins/mounts and suspension A-arms can handle it? But I am no expert by any means.

DEWFPO

radman1 · Dec 14, 2008

I can counter balance some of the weight with a 400# boxblade on my 5610 3 pt. I don't really need to lift 3000 lbs, but more like the rare 2200-2500 lbs of a tree spade with tree. A 3" cylinder is all I can find in the right dimensions. I can lift the tree spade (1400 lbs) now, but I don't think it will with the tree and dirt ball since the weight hangs far out front. I think the boom can take the weight with a straight lift of about 3-4 ft. The question is can the A arms take it? The rear blade counter weight should take some of the weight off the A arms and maybe the boxblade will be enough to make up for the weight of the tree/dirt. I talked with a bobcat rep once, and they (bobcat) thought the arms were actually overbuilt. I have not heard of a failure.
I would also like to lift seed pallets that weigh around 2200 lbs.

DEWFPO · Dec 14, 2008

I guess it is possible that the A-arms are overbuilt on the newer models. Since yours is a 5610 that would qualify. When I was looking at the 5600 earlier this year the salesman said they had been having a problem with a particular front suspension part breaking under certain circumstances. He didn't elaborate only to say the breakage was predictable under a particular circumstance. I thought he said it was a tie rod but I'm not positive now. He said they were replacing the broken part under warranty for anyone that had the problem. It make's sense that Bobcat would redesign the part to handle all situations it would encounter.

DEWFPO

yellowdogsvc · Dec 17, 2008

It's about $500 bucks to replace a shock if you overload it and bust one. I had one fail it is was no fun replacing it. I have to load a 2300lb mower often and I don't recommend lifting 3000 lbs. The tires aren't designed to handle that extra weight either.

3Bladz · Dec 17, 2008

Mine picks up pallets of fertilizer and ice melt. 49 bags at 50#each.

radman1 · Dec 18, 2008

3Bladz said:
Mine picks up pallets of fertilizer and ice melt. 49 bags at 50#each.

Thats about 2500 lbs. Can you lift that weight 3-4'?

DEWFPO · Dec 18, 2008

Add to that, the weight of the pallet forks attachment. Typically around 250 lbs.

DEWFPO

3Bladz · Dec 18, 2008

radman1 said:
Thats about 2500 lbs. Can you lift that weight 3-4'?

Hmmm, thats a good question. I lift them up out of the back of my F450 which is about 4 foot high. But I have not tried to lift them from the ground back up there. I usually carry them in to the shed and put them under the pallet rack. It is pretty cool having the reach of the boom though, I can even reach far enough into the bed of the dump truck to reach the second pallet. I do have the bobcat forks so the weight of them prolly is around 250#. The roll back cyl. doesn't hardly have enough power to tip it back so I try to have the forks tipped as afar as I can before I pick the pallet up. Other wise the pallet will be tipped forward too far when I lower it to the ground and I dont really want to spill the bags off. You do want to have plenty of air in the tires.