Pulling a Ford engine with my Kubota

dkchandler · Feb 27, 2019

Hey guys, I have a question. I am pulling the motor out of my son's 1999 Ford F-150. The 5.4L engine should weigh about 550lbs.
It seems like my 2002 BX2200 with a LA211 FEL is having issues lifting the engine. Is that too much weight for the LA211??
Thanks
Dan

CobyRupert · Feb 27, 2019

I think answer is yes. According to Tractordata.com, lifting force (full height) is 460lbs at pins.

Perhaps if front of Kubota was raised so loader was low, you could be closer to utilizing the breakout force of 950lb?

Loader type: Kubota LA211
Height (to pin): 71.3 inches [181 cm]
Clearance, dumped bucket: 51.2 inches [130 cm]
Dump reach: 29.9 inches [75 cm]
Dump angle: 45
Rollback angle: 25
Breakout force (bucket): 950 lbs [430 kg]
Lift to full height (at pin): 460 lbs [208 kg]
Bucket width: 48 inches [121 cm]
Raise time to height: 2.9 s
Lowering time: 2.9 s

dkchandler · Feb 27, 2019

Coby, thanks for the quick reply. I will try it a a lower height. I may have to go old school and use a come-a-long and a nice tree limb to pull that engine.

4570Man · Feb 27, 2019

I doubt it’d going to do it. My L3800 just barley pulled a 454.

RNeumann · Feb 27, 2019

I’m no engineer but it would seem the more inline the lift cylinders are with the direction of lift the less force it “used” pushing against the pivot point.
In other words, wouldn’t you get the most lift with the bucket at the top of its travel? With the FEL lower the cylinders are having to push out instead of up.

If I’m on the ragged edge of a lift with my tractor I find that using curl gets me more lift. The other trick (as mentioned above) I use to lift heavy rocks is to attach the the chain as far “back” as I can. Like the chain comes off the back of the bucket instead of the front.

dkchandler · Feb 27, 2019

4570Man said:
I doubt it’d going to do it. My L3800 just barley pulled a 454.View attachment 593715

Wow, yep that is a good example. I bet I just need to use a come-a-long before I blow an o-ring. LOL
Thanks guys!

finn1 · Feb 27, 2019

Portable engine hoists are pretty cheap, and readily available at rental yards.

Buy one and resell it after you are done. You’ll minimize chances of damaging something with a purpose built, easily controllable tool.

sd455dan · Feb 27, 2019

finn1 said:
Portable engine hoists are pretty cheap, and readily available at rental yards.

Buy one and resell it after you are done. You’ll minimize chances of damaging something with a purpose built, easily controllable tool.

Yep- OP may be able to borrow a cherry picker from 1 of the part stores if he buys replacement parts there and they offer that service.

HillStreet · Feb 27, 2019

You have an LA211 loader. The first digit, 2 (hundred kilograms) x 2.2 (pounds in a kilogram) = 440 pounds. That is how Kubota rates their loaders. Now, I don’t know at what height or distance but that is how it goes. You probably won’t lift your sons engine with your tractor.