Publishing Loader Capacity Numbers That Far Exceed The Capacity Of The Axles

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

This popped up in my YT feed today and I found it quite interesting. The obvious question: Why would a manufacturer build a front axel that is already at capacity before the bucket is even loaded?

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Maybe they need to stop putting FELs on lawnmowers

 

[jaxs]

Maybe they need to stop putting FELs on lawnmowers

That to but there's a demand for loaders on lawnmowers. Larger tractors are designed primarily to handle ground engaging implements then loaders are installed as an afterthought. Going back,manufactures built engines,transmissions,differentials,wheels, axles and a few other components that were interchangeable across a range of horse powers then painted the finished product according to component package.

 

[sd455dan]

Not one word about proper 3 point ballasting to reduce front axle "static" loading.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

Not one word about proper 3 point ballasting to reduce front axle "static" loading.

This was found in the comments:

Brad Jenkins: "The more weight you put behind the rear axle, the more you take off the front axle."

Neil's Response: "Yes, but the amount required to correct it would put the rear axle way over capacity."

 

[Cataclysm]

Interesting and likely has a point. Thanks for posting that video.

I don't categorically agree with his numbers or methodology though.

 

[LD1]

Its just a whole lot easier when they didn't publish the axle capacities.
Clearly the axles can handle ALOT more than they are rated for. Probably just a MFG's CYA move to deny a warranty claim if they want to

 

[mikester]

Why would a manufacturer build a front axel that is already at capacity before the bucket is even loaded?

My question is why someone would buy a 1,500 lb lawnmower and expect to operate it like a 10,000 lb skidsteer?

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

Clearly the axles can handle ALOT more than they are rated for. Probably just a MFG's CYA move to deny a warranty claim if they want to

Or they purposely built them where they would be over capacity so the parts would wear out quicker requiring the owners to bring them in for repair sooner.

 

[CobyRupert]

Interesting that without ballast you can only put the weight of the tractor and bucket load on the front axle.
With rear ballast, and a strong loader, you can put a lot more weight (the tractor, bigger bucket load and additional rear ballast weight) on the front axle.

 

[5030]

In my view, none are over rated for capacity. It's the owner that overloads them by adding 'ballast' to the tractor, something I don't do.

It's the human factor at play and humans tend to push the boundaries of everything. Human nature I guess.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

In my view, none are over rated for capacity. It's the owner that overloads them by adding 'ballast' to the tractor, something I don't do.

It's the human factor at play and humans tend to push the boundaries of everything. Human nature I guess.

Did you actually watch the video?

 

[5030]

Candidly, no, I don't need to watch video's. With me, it's all hands on experience. and what works and what don't.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

You wrote:

In my view, none are over rated for capacity. It's the owner that overloads them by adding 'ballast' to the tractor, something I don't do.

Please explain as I want to make sure I understand you.

 

[5030]

No explanation required far as I can see.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

This intrigued me so much that I decided to reach out to Neil directly. He told me that he is going to make a follow up video. Out of respect for him, I will let him provide more explanation first before I give the CVF thought/opinion on it.

 

[Jchonline]

How many front axles ahve been broken on tractors by lifting something that exceeds the capacity?

It seems ridiculous the manufacturer would have a rated load on the front axle that is less than the weight added by maxing the FEL?

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

How many front axles ahve been broken on tractors by lifting something that exceeds the capacity?

It seems ridiculous the manufacturer would have a rated load on the front axle that is less than the weight added by maxing the FEL?

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Jchonline]

In my view, none are over rated for capacity. It's the owner that overloads them by adding 'ballast' to the tractor, something I don't do.

It's the human factor at play and humans tend to push the boundaries of everything. Human nature I guess.

The video shares that the front axle capacities are way under the load if you are at capacity on the FEL. These are manufacturer specs. Front axle capacity 1600 lbs, load on front axle with FEL at max capacity was 2000lbs.

Granted these are sub compacts...I wonder what larger tractors would show?

 

[sd455dan]

The video shares that the front axle capacities are way under the load if you are at capacity on the FEL. These are manufacturer specs. Front axle capacity 1600 lbs, load on front axle with FEL at max capacity was 2000lbs.

Granted these are sub compacts...I wonder what larger tractors would show?

That info does show up on industrial TLBs - even on tractordata but not so much for farm tractors or CUTs

SAE J43... is for wheel loaders and TLBs

Sae J43-2003 | PDF | Loader (Equipment) | Tractor

a highlight of some requirements when testing

The FEL IS mounted along with the heaviest recommended bucket
approved Rear counter weight- using the minimum recommended weight.

here is a Ford 555

Max front axle 10,000 lbs
4536 kg
8,970 lbs (SAE J43)
4068 kg
Max rear axle 12,600 lbs
5715 kg
12,550 lbs (SAE J43)
5692 kg

Seems like there should be a similar standard for smaller machines but have not seen it If I was a manufacturer would error on the side of caution for multiple reasons- which is what it looks like from Neil's reporting