Ford 575D Loader Capacity

[ETD66SS]

I have a 1993 575D that I'd like to use to remove a counterweight off of my CAT 255 excavator. The counterweight weighs 5700 lbs. I'm trying to find the specifications on the 575D loader to see what it can lift before I just go ahead and try it. Does anyone know where I can find this info? So far my Googling efforts have failed to locate a spec.

 

[ETD66SS]

I guess I'll have to figure it out myself knowing the pressure in the cylinders is 2400 psi. I'll just have to find the bore diameter of the loader cylinders.

 

[LD1]

I think the only way to know is to just try it.

Most of the old ford TLB's had a lift capacity to full height of ~4500-5500#. And that covers about all the models from the 420, 555's, even up to the big 755's.

But the issue with specs is, those are measurements at the pins, AND to full height. Neither of which will likely apply in your situation. The lower the lift height, the more it can lift. The further out the load is, the less it can lift. A ford TLB that is rated for ~5000# is actually capable of closer to 10k near the ground, just the way the loader geometry works. And knowing the cylinder diameter and pressure is only a piece of the puzzle. If you want to know the lift capacity you would also need to know the angle the cylinder is on in relation to the loader arms AT THE HEIGHT YOU WANT TO LIFT AT, then you would need to know the distance from the upright post to where the cylinder attaches and where the cylinder attaches out to where the load will be attached (leverage), then you would need to know how much of your power is used up just lifting the loader frame and empty bucket.

So again, easy way is to just try it and see. If it dont lift it, you can try taking the bucket off. That should gain you another ~700-800# capacity. If that dont work, you could build a dirt ramp to drive up, thus making the loader lower (more power down low remember) when attempting the lift.

 

[LD1]

Found specs on the 575E and it shows 6900# lift to full height at pins. On the newer ford stuff, I dont know the differences in the models. I assume the 575e was what followed the 575d. But dont know what came before the 575d?

 

[Bigkrank]

I know my 655D will do that at the pins easy enough.

 

[ETD66SS]

If you want to know the lift capacity you would also need to know the angle the cylinder is on in relation to the loader arms AT THE HEIGHT YOU WANT TO LIFT AT, then you would need to know the distance from the upright post to where the cylinder attaches and where the cylinder attaches out to where the load will be attached (leverage), then you would need to know how much of your power is used up just lifting the loader frame and empty bucket.

Yep, I am a mechanical engineer by trade so planned on drawing a free body diagram to figure it all out.

In no way would I be lifting the excavator counterweight anywhere near full height. Right now the chain hooks are about 5 ft off the ground on the counterweight, so add maybe 2 ft for chains to the hooks on the loader bucket. I only need to lift from there about 1 inch and then back the TLB up about 10 ft and lower the counterweight. Then ofc put it back on when I am done working on the 225 engine.

If a 575E can do 6900 lbs to full pin height, it sounds like I'm going to be ok.

Thanks for the info guys

 

[LD1]

Let us know the end result one way or another.

 

[ETD66SS]

Let us know the end result one way or another.

I chickened out, I decided not to remove the counterweight. I think I can get the oil cooler off the CAT 3208 without removing the CW. I think I would get it off ok, but getting it back on might be a bit dicey by myself, and I don't want my 83 year old father anywhere near it.