Tractor noob question. I've been watching videos of folks moving rocks and other stuff with their tractors, and some of it looks really surprising what they're asking of the equipment. Obviously they know best as it's their machine (and their risk) but I'm curious to know if I can screw it up when I get my tractor. I know you can break the things, so I don't mean trying to lift something stupid...I mean if a rock or a log or some such thing looks like it's within the capabilities of the machine and I give it a go, will the tractor stall or some other 'self preservation' thing if it becomes too much or does it go until it breaks? Things like lifting up the other end of the tractor and/or the 'bogging down' sounds they make are certainly clues to stop and reevaluate, but I'm hoping to get insight from some of you folks. Thanks.
Will the CUT let you know you're asking too much?
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jeff9366
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The tractor may stall if HST.
Clutch could slip if traditional clutch and gear.
First thing to check: Is the parking brake on or off.......
Clutch could slip if traditional clutch and gear.
First thing to check: Is the parking brake on or off.......
ericm979
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Lifting something too heavy won't stall the tractor or slip the clutch.
If it's too heavy you'll trip the relief in the loader valve. If you lifted the object part ways and the relief trips, you won't be able to lift it any farther. All loaders can lift more at the bottom of their travel (the "breakout" value) vs the top.
If you lift the back of the tractor then the object you're lifting is too heavy. And you need a heavier counterweight.
What can be dangerous is lifting something heavy that doesn't lift the back end... until you go down hill or hit a bump or jerk the loader or do something else that shifts the tractors weight forwards. Keep in mind that the front axle is on a pivot. Lateral stability is provided by the back tires on the ground. When they're not on the ground you don't have it.
When you lift something anywhere close to the tractor's capacity you need to be mindful of what you're doing. Keep the load as low as possible, go slow, back down steep hills slowly. Be ready to drop the load to the ground at the first sign of trouble. Make sure the load is not out of balance to one side. It's possible to bend the loader frame doing this, and it would make the tractor less stable.
If it's too heavy you'll trip the relief in the loader valve. If you lifted the object part ways and the relief trips, you won't be able to lift it any farther. All loaders can lift more at the bottom of their travel (the "breakout" value) vs the top.
If you lift the back of the tractor then the object you're lifting is too heavy. And you need a heavier counterweight.
What can be dangerous is lifting something heavy that doesn't lift the back end... until you go down hill or hit a bump or jerk the loader or do something else that shifts the tractors weight forwards. Keep in mind that the front axle is on a pivot. Lateral stability is provided by the back tires on the ground. When they're not on the ground you don't have it.
When you lift something anywhere close to the tractor's capacity you need to be mindful of what you're doing. Keep the load as low as possible, go slow, back down steep hills slowly. Be ready to drop the load to the ground at the first sign of trouble. Make sure the load is not out of balance to one side. It's possible to bend the loader frame doing this, and it would make the tractor less stable.
nybirdman
Super Member
Relief will trip on "loader lift" if too heavy;will not stall the tractor.If you are trying to "pull to much" it could stall the engine.
If the back gets light ,add more counter weight.
If the back gets light ,add more counter weight.
Roadworthy
Elite Member
Beware lifting too heavy items. It is possible to apply enough force to the loader to raise the rear of the tractor off the ground if it can't lift the object. Of course that won't happen with the rear end weighted.
metalbender
Veteran Member
Yup, my loader screams at me if I try too much weight. Safety built in for a reason. Counterweight does make a difference in "feel"
4570Man
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The tractor can’t hurt itself using lifting force alone. If you’re trying to make it a dozer it very much can hurt itself.
ericm979
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One more thing- you'll sometimes see videos of tractors being operated with the loader up high. Don't do that. It puts a lot of weight up high, especially if there's something in the bucket. That makes it much easier to tip over.
Keep the loader low and learn to look over, around or through the load.
Keep the loader low and learn to look over, around or through the load.
Thanks, all. The loader relief valve was the kind of thing I was thinking when I asked the question. If I understand correctly, for straight loading, the system will prevent you from exceeding the max pressure capacity via the pressure relief valve. That's good to know.
A little offshoot from the original question. Did a little reading, and someone please confirm or correct...I think I read that the pressure relief valve serves the entire hydraulic circuit, to include the FEL and the three point hitch. So, if a Kioti NX4510 has a max breakout force at the bucket of 2990 lbs, and the 3ph max is 3177 lbs (TractorData.com Kioti NX4510 tractor attachments information), could I conceivably screw things up trying to lift, say, 3050 lbs with the FEL? That weight would exceed the FEL capacity (at the bucket), but be less than the capacity of the 3ph, so the relief valve would not relieve until after 3177 lbs (otherwise, the tractor couldn't lift that much with the 3ph).
A little offshoot from the original question. Did a little reading, and someone please confirm or correct...I think I read that the pressure relief valve serves the entire hydraulic circuit, to include the FEL and the three point hitch. So, if a Kioti NX4510 has a max breakout force at the bucket of 2990 lbs, and the 3ph max is 3177 lbs (TractorData.com Kioti NX4510 tractor attachments information), could I conceivably screw things up trying to lift, say, 3050 lbs with the FEL? That weight would exceed the FEL capacity (at the bucket), but be less than the capacity of the 3ph, so the relief valve would not relieve until after 3177 lbs (otherwise, the tractor couldn't lift that much with the 3ph).
dodge man
Super Star Member
Sometimes a pic helps. I’m exceeding the lift capacity of my tractor in the pic. It’s not hurting anything, it just won’t go higher. So the lift capacity of my tractor is about 500 pounds so many inches in front of the pivot point to full lift height. In this case I’m over that limit, plus the load is further out on the forks. Doesn’t break anything. This is also an example of how NOT to do it. I should have counter weights on the back, I just did this for the pic and normally carry something like this about a foot off the ground.
