For those of you who think the L3400 has a weak loader!!

[k0ua]

k0ua
I see this how are you planning on picking up 5000# on a tractor(L3400) that will only supposedly pick up 1985#s even with the 3 pt draft links? No one is going to have counterbalance weights to "your extremes". I believe in correct information on a discussion forum so here's what I'll do Tuesday: I'll take my M7040 with FEL to a certified scale. I'll weight frt axle with a rd bale on FEL no counterbalance weight,weight frt axle with bale of hay on frt & rear and report back. Well see how much difference in the ACTUAL WEIGHTS.

Yes that sounds like a good plan. The weights I mentioned are absurd.. I was attempting to use absurdity as a tool to explain a point. Sometimes when you "think outside of the box" you can get a better grasp of a concept. But I will certainly accept your real world test.

 

[Tx Jim]

Bluegill2
I bought my M7040 & loader used(134 hrs on tach) and received no manuals. I bought & read (cover to cover) the tractor operators manual but I saw no need to purchase loader OM. So the info you refer to may be in the loader OM

 

[Tx Jim]

The actual weights will be very similar to the old saying "a picture is worth a 1000 words". At my old age I've been wrong before but I choose not to believe everything I hear/read. It will be interesting to see the true facts(weights).

 

[Bluegill2]

Well Jim, I'm also interested in the actual weight. Good of ya to do this.

 

[Tx Jim]

When you get old and semi-retired similar to me one looks for something to occupy their time. The outcome will be interesting for sure. One never knows I may get another "education". I will try to provide photos if my camera cooperates.

 

[repete]

k0ua
I see this: how are you planning on picking up 5000# on a tractor(L3400) that will only supposedly pick up 1985#s even with end of the 3 pt draft links? No one is going to have counterbalance weights to "your extremes". Here's what I'll do Tuesday, I'll take my M7040 with FEL to a certified scale. I'll weight frt axle with a rd bale on FEL no counterbalance weight then weight frt axle with bale of hay on frt & rear and report back. Well see how much difference in the ACTUAL WEIGHTS

.I believe in correct information on a discussion forum

This I can believe in.

 

[repete]

I would think that it would be very dependent on where the weight is suspended. The more weight hanging on the top link, the more weight that is shifted off the front axle. I am going to make a counter balance and I am going to design it so that the weight rests behind the lift arm pins thus exerting a great deal of force wanting to tip it backward and relies on the top link to support it thus pulling backward on the tractor above the rear axle center.

 

[RaydaKub]

Actually I'm referring to whether or not counterbalance on the rear of the tractor will """"significantly relieve the weight and wear from the frt axle"""" on a tractor equipped with a frt end loader with say 1000"s on the loader.

I believe in the principle, but putting a big bale on the 3ph will be an interesting experiment. Even if it is only 5 or 10 lbs that shifts it demonstrates the principle, but I expect to see a few hundred lbs difference.
I would actually like several measurements if you had time and cooperation from the scale operator.
Weigh the tractor axles "on the way to the field". No bales. Weigh the bale. Weigh the axles with the front bale. Weigh the axles with the rear bale. Weigh the axles with both bales. That way you can see how the FEL lever arms multiply the bale weight as well the 3ph arms multiply it. Each tractor will be different of course but the levwrage principle will be the same.

 

[Bluegill2]

Also the heavier the tractor and longer the wheel base, the more weight will be needed to make a difference. My L3800 is light and has a very short wheel base. You can really feel the effect of weight added front and back.

 

[xring100]

I would think that it would be very dependent on where the weight is suspended. The more weight hanging on the top link, the more weight that is shifted off the front axle. I am going to make a counter balance and I am going to design it so that the weight rests behind the lift arm pins thus exerting a great deal of force wanting to tip it backward and relies on the top link to support it thus pulling backward on the tractor above the rear axle center.

Under normal circumstances putting the cg height of the mass higher in the air only results in the tractor being more unstable and prone to tip. It is best to keep the center of mass below the rears tires. If you were to draw a free body diagram in various operating angles you would find the main factor at play is how far behind the tires the center of mass is located. With a high 3pt mass you would find going down hill the tractor would be more likely to tip forward. Going up hill it would be more likely to wheelie on you. This is the same reason your loaders operators manual probably makes multiple recurrences to carrying the load in the bucket a close to the ground as possible.

While the tension load will increase on the top link as you shift the weight back farther behind the tractor its still ultimately the lower links that provide the support force and carry the weight. This does not really come into play If the same amount of weight at the same cg height and distance behind the rear axle was attached via the draw bar instead of the 3 pt the handling characteristic would be the same the load on the upper link does not matter in this case because it was eliminated.

If i take my 1400 lb 10 ft long brush hog and lift it 3" off the ground or 3 feet off the ground you will see virtually no difference in weight on the front axle on a level grade
( assuming the rear tail wheel is not in contact with the ground in either condition.) There will be some change as the 3pt is raised, as the arms travel through An arc. the distance of the rear pivot pins behind the axle will be the greatest when the lower links are level.

Keep it low keep it stable