First Time I Really **NEEDED** Rear Weight

[Diggin It]

Not a preference or reduction of risk, but required. Could not do the task without it.

I have a carry all that I rig up into the FEL to use as makeshift pallet forks. Roll your eyes, but it works quite well. Problem is it puts the weight farther out front, reducing capacity. Had a pallet sitting on a trailer with a 400+ pound generator bolted to it. Got the 'forks' under it fine, added some straps to secure it and went to lift. Very slow and cautious since I wasn't sure it would work at all. Pallet raised an inch off the trailer and the rear wheels came up. No danger, no pucker because I was watching every point possible. There was no possible way at all it was going to work.

Unhooked the straps and backed out, went and retrieved a 5' finish mower I've been working on. Got back in position and strapped in place and she lifted just fine. No risk felt at all. Moved it into place a few feet away and set it down on some 4x4s until I'm ready for the next step.

No pictures because I too intent on getting it done safely.

 

[seville009]

probably just about everyone on here has been in that situation.

I usually have my 900 lb brush hog hooked up as a counterweight when using the loader, plus my rear tires are loaded.

 

[Avenger]

Rear ballast is a must when lifting heavy loads with the FEL.

The heaviest thing I lifted was my backhoe attachment. The Wood's BX90-X with a subframe bolted to it. We brought it home from the dealer (it was on consignment) on a flat deck car hauler trailer, and I used my "crane" attachment on the FEL. Puts the shackle about 2-1/2 feet from the pins. Rigged it up with a bunch of straps to the shackle. I had the (at the time) heaviest 3pt attachment I have, the rototiller on the back. Plus beat juice filled tires.

My plan was to simply pick the BH up, back up from the trailer, drive to where I wanted it set down (in the "lot" where I keep my implements) and be done with the job. That was not going to happen. When I started picking the BH, I realized that this thing is MUCH heavier than I anticipated. I was only able to take the pressure off the trailer suspension!!! The tractor just couldnt do it.

We re-rigged it a few times, trying different things. Was able to get the rear of the BH up off the deck just slightly, and my friend drove the trailer out from under it. Fortunately, it didn't come crashing down when the front (bucket end) of the BH came off the back of the trailer. I was able to drive it, slowly forward, and set it down on the side of my driveway. If it had dropped down suddenly, it was only maybe 2ft off the ground, so I wasnt too worried. But was an eye opener of (1) just how heavy this BH was. (2) just how much length from the pins effects the lifting capacity of the FEL. And (3) just how important rear ballast really is when picking heavy loads.

I could not have picked this backhoe with nothing, or even a lighter implement on the back.

Backhoe sitting where I left it. This was a long time ago, fyi.

 

[rbstern]

I bought my MT225e with the sub-frame mounted backhoe. At the time, I had no idea how valuable it would be as a counterweight, and in general, as a stability aid. I pick up relatively heavy stuff (logs, equipment pallets, stone, dirt, etc.) with the FEL and forks all the time, without much concern because of the BH weight and low CG. When I have the backhoe off, and I have something like my 5' box blade as the counter, I have to remind myself to operate with more awareness of the potential limits. Today, I had a heaping load of red clay in the FEL, and the back felt a bit light with only the box blade (about 400lbs). If I didn't have the backhoe, I'd have my rear tires filled.

 

[oosik]

For sure - he who has not been "lite in the loafers" has not really "used" the FEL to lift. My 1050# Rhino rear blade is a permanent fixture on my 3-point. Except when I use the Wallenstein chipper. It's just too easy to be out on the property and want to move something with the grapple. Then because there is nothing on the 3-point - you find that the rear end is lifting right along with the load in the grapple. Teeter-totters have their place. Tractor is NOT a good place.

 

[mred2]

Using the FEL is the main reason I have the tires filled. I can move a 1,000 lb roll of hay without anything else on the rear.

 

[airbiscuit]

I'd like to see a pic of your loader mounted carry all.

 

[Diggin It]

I'd like to see a pic of your loader mounted carry all.

Old thread about it: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/412889-how-stupid-idea-related-pallet.html

 

[PCABE5]

Using the FEL is the main reason I have the tires filled. I can move a 1,000 lb roll of hay without anything else on the rear.

Loaded tires are nice but they don't count as ballast for the FEL.

 

[oosik]

Hmmm! Learn something new every day. So...... what my tractor Op Manual says about adding liquid ballast to the rear tires to offset the FEL is DEAD WRONG.

PCABE5 - it would do well if you read your tractor Op Manual again. This time with a little understanding ............