Bobcat FEL's - 7TL, 8TL, 9TL what are your experiences?

[Mrb94]

Does it?? I ordered my CT235 with it. Even if it's 100lbs less because of the bracketry I think the versatility of having the BobTach outweighs (badum-bum) it.

From my manual on the 7TL:

Loader lift capacity at full height with Optional Bob-Tach=
Measured at bucket pivot=1480 vs 1605 on the pin type
Measured at 500mm in front=1090 vs 1225 on the pin type

Just in case you decide to get pallet forks, to full height 2' in front of the frame, the rating is 740 pounds.

I agree with you that the difference is worth it to have the skid steer quick attach system. I hear that Bobcat is coming out with a kit to have front hydraulics on these - just what I need since I also want to get a grapple.

 

[wallace]

From my manual on the 7TL:

Loader lift capacity at full height with Optional Bob-Tach=
Measured at bucket pivot=1480 vs 1605 on the pin type
Measured at 500mm in front=1090 vs 1225 on the pin type

Just in case you decide to get pallet forks, to full height 2' in front of the frame, the rating is 740 pounds.

I agree with you that the difference is worth it to have the skid steer quick attach system. I hear that Bobcat is coming out with a kit to have front hydraulics on these - just what I need since I also want to get a grapple.

There is already a kit we have been installing them on the Kioti's for years...I would think even though it is a different loader it will work with no problem they both have the same hydraulic valve placement.

 

[Kioti4me]

Ok, I'm just curious is there a way to increase the lift capacity? (within reason that is) I don't pretend to know anything about this, but I have the Kioti CK35 and I find the lift capacity 1155 lbs to be a little disappointing for my needs. Can you add? What determines the lift capacity? The tractors hydraulic pump output PSI or the size of the cylinders on the FEL?

Thanks
PS I love my Kioti.

To keep it fair the l3400 isn't really a good comparison as it is a size class smaller than the tractors you mentioned.

The L3400 falls into the class with the CK kioti's and the JD 3032 while the CT335 is in a class with the JD 3x20, DK kioti's, and the Grand L kubotas. I have compiled some breif loader specs for comparison

All lift weight are @ the pins

small class 30HP
CT235...........1605
CK35.............1155
JD3032..........1186
L3400............1142

Large class 30HP
CT335...........1650
DK35.............1412
JD3x20...........1598
L3540............1792

As you can see there isn't much difference when you stay in the same class of tractors. I will piont out however that the specs on the CT235 almost seem too go to be true. I don't know if it is a typo but lift specs only 45lbs below the CT335??? This is the same tractor that kioti only puts a 1155lbs capacity loader on. I wonder why????

 

[dfkrug]

What determines the lift capacity? The tractors hydraulic pump output PSI or the size of the cylinders on the FEL?

Yes, both.

Your tractor runs at an implement pump pressure of 2500psi. You can check
that you are getting the full 2500 at the FEL by testing with a guage. If
you are not, your FEL relief valve may be set too low. Adjust it.

You can change to cyls with larger IDs, but that is not recommended. Nor
is adjusting your system pressure over 2500psi.

Does your tractor have the new KL130 QA bucket? Sadly, both it and the
earlier KL130 have only a 5.5" pin spacing. This leads to a pretty wimpy
curl force (breakout force). I went to about 8" for my pallet fork frame,
which yields substantially greater force there. This can allow greater lifting
force within a narrow range of movement.

 

[radman1]

Ok, I'm just curious is there a way to increase the lift capacity? (within reason that is) Can you add? What determines the lift capacity? The tractors hydraulic pump output PSI or the size of the cylinders on the FEL?
QUOTE]

Increasing the psi is the easier and cheap method. May have a screw to turn in or add shims/washers. Increasing the psi from 2500 to 2750 is a 10% gain and about 10% increase in lift capacity. On my JD CUT all it took was the loosening of a lock nut, turn in a bolt/screw, and reset the lock nut. Need a $20-25 gauge and connect it to a hydraulic outlet or hose to determine pressure. My baseline pressure was about 2300-2400 psi. Talked with JD mechanic. He said don't go too high because it can start to chatter. He suggested not going over 2800-3000 psi.
Changing cylinders is more difficult. Need to find larger bore with same retracted and stroke lenght. Might be able to find a cylinder with similar dimensions or may require modification. Also need to have ports on the cylinder that are in the right direction and location. Larger diameter cylinders will also make your loader function slower.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I looked at a CT445 today. What I didn't like about the 9TL was the hydraulic connections under the floorboard, what a pain that must be to connect. I'm used to the kubota where they are right up where you can connect & disconnect the loader without leaving the tractor platform. The other thing I noticed on some smaller tractors, maybe CT230, was the rusted nuts on the brackets that hold the hydraulic lines against the loader frame. It looked really bad. But the pricing is good on the tractors, or at least was with the "free" loader. The dealer I talked to said they only offered the free loader on cash only deals, you didn't get the loader free with the 0 percent financing, and he said that ends monday.
Also did not like the bobcat backhoe, how the whole underside has to come off. storing the hoe would be a pain. What I did like was the lift capacity. The dealer offered to bring the unit to my house for me to play with and try out. I want to see if I can unload 2000# pallets with it, so I might take him up on the offer.

 

[woodchuckcanuck]

I looked at a CT445 today.

Where you looking with cab or no cab? What pricing were you getting?

What I didn't like about the 9TL was the hydraulic connections under the floorboard, what a pain that must be to connect. I'm used to the kubota where they are right up where you can connect & disconnect the loader without leaving the tractor platform.

Yes, but how often would you be connecting/disconnecting to make it a PITA? With the Quick Attach on the load I would think you wouldn't be looking to disconnect for some time. I'd be more concerned about hoses underneath that might hook up on a stump or something similar.

The other thing I noticed on some smaller tractors, maybe CT230, was the rusted nuts on the brackets that hold the hydraulic lines against the loader frame. It looked really bad.

Yeah but its only a nut. Just back it off and replace. No?

But the pricing is good on the tractors, or at least was with the "free" loader. The dealer I talked to said they only offered the free loader on cash only deals, you didn't get the loader free with the 0 percent financing, and he said that ends monday.

I did the math on that too. If you pay cash and do your own financing (line of credit with your bank for example) the rebate works out to about the same in interest on a 60 month term. Only real savings if youare paying cash and HAVE the cash to do it.

Also did not like the bobcat backhoe, how the whole underside has to come off. storing the hoe would be a pain. What I did like was the lift capacity. The dealer offered to bring the unit to my house for me to play with and try out.

I asked for that too. The salesman said the tracor I was looking at CT335 was too big for thier trailer. I think that was an excuse because I lie 2.5 hrs away.

I want to see if I can unload 2000# pallets with it, so I might take him up on the offer.

 

[tinman955]

Im actually goin to do a test with forks on my 440 lifting skids of salt. 80lb bags on skids weigh 3000lbs I will try to lift, if I cant I will take of bags till I can to see what she'll do. Ill keep ya all posted!!!

 

[horticattleman]

I think the problem is people expect to buy a mid size CUT and expect full size Ag tractor loader capacities. I am not surprised you can't lift 1,000lbs of bark mulch with a set of 550lb forks with a loader spec'd at 1,700lbs. Not only are you almost at the max lift capacity but the load is also much further out from where a normal load in the bucket would be which severely lowers any loaders lift capacity. I doubt there is any other sub-40hp CUT tractor that will lift that so to be dissapointed in it's abilities makes no sense, for it's size and cost it performs very well compared to the other tractors/loaders in it's class.

The Kubota L3400 only has a lift capacity of 1,142lbs at the pins. The John Deere 3120 with 300CX loader is rated at 1,598lbs. The Bobcat CT335 is rated at 1,650lbs at the pins and 1,300lbs 500mm (19.68 inches) in front of the pins. If you need to lift pallets like that the CT440 is better rated for that at 2,600lbs at the pins and 2,050lbs 500mm in front.

I loaded it at another yard with a JD 34 hp which is much smaller. It had no trouble. Same basic weight on back.