4520 and 400x fel pitiful power

[rollbar]

I have 12 hrs. on my tractor and loader and am really dissapointed with the hydraulic power of the tractor. If I am reading the manual correctly the loader should lift around 2400 lbs. I tried to lift a pallet of brick(around 2250lbs) and it would'nt even budge. A friend just bought a 4320 and he said he was also disgusted with the lifting power. Does anyone know the amount of weight that their tractor has lifted?
I need to see my dealer. Is there any adjustment that can be made on the pumps? Any comments or information would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[tillboy2001]

4120 here - I don't know the weight or force involved, but I've buried the bucket in simple loads of damp dirt (in piles - pretty deep though) and have run into issuse with it not wanting to lift out of it. I'd usually have to back up a slight bit so it could start to rise. But again, as far as weight goes, I don't know what it would be in my case. Once I have a full bucket of damp soil in my bucket though, I just about lift the rear wheels off the ground and the loader doesn't complain about loads like that. (I need a ballast). Wish I had something I knew the weight of to test it, but all I can say is I've been a tad surprised at when and how the loader decides it can't lift anymore. But if for example I bury the bucket in the ground accidentally while doing a little dirt scraping, I can pretty much always lift the rear wheel off the ground if I keep pulling back on the joystick.

 

[JDFANATIC]

Even on my 2210, when you exceed the lift capacity, and I'll bet that's a "loaded" term -- where it's measured etc -- it hits what I guess is some kind of pressure relief valve. As for pz31g22 needing ballast, I have the rear tires loaded and for heavy (in my world) lifting use the ballast box filled with concrete. I estimate this is 860# total for a tractor that is rated at 620# lift capacity. ...If mine only would lift 2400#!... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Oh well, if fishes had wishes, I would be a whale!

 

[beenthere]

There are limits to everything.
Do you have the large FEL (I see yours is a 400X, and wonder if there is a 400CX as in the 300 FEL for the 3X20 series)?
I suspect the rating is at the pivot points of the FEL and your forks take that load out beyond those points.
I recall the neighbor with a pallet of bricks that I whistled over to unload from his trailer with my 4300. No way. Just picked the rear end up. Put more weight on the rear, and reached the max of the bucket. I won't say which brand (bigger tractor) CUT tried it next - no go.

 

[KennedyDiesel]

Lift ratings are at the pivot pin typically. Using pallet forks and a skid, you move the center of the weight out significantly.

I too would like to see more lift, BUT with loaded tires and a 500#+ Rear blade, I can still see a need for more ballast in some conditions...

 

[Sadler]

I think you have to subtract the weight of the bucket or pallet forks from the loader lift capacity and depending on the geometry of the lifting possibly derate the lift capacity some additional amount.

Looks like forks or a bucket might bring your loader's capacity below what you're trying to lift.

 

[dsgsr]

As others have said, the lift capacity is at the pivot pins. For example my JD 460 loader has a lift capacity of 2,325 lb to full height (at the pins) It can actually lift 1705 lb in the bucket.

If I put on the pallet forks in place of the bucket and lift my welder which weighs about 1800lb's, it can only lift it about 4.5' off the ground (including pallet)

David

 

[timb]

Everything said above as to where the lift number is generated (pins or bucket edge) and taking into account the weight of the forks is all true - but something still doesn't seem quite right. The lift number rating is also to *full height* (think "clean-and-jerk"). Find the loader spec chart - low down you should be able to "budge" far more than that.
The 400x should move 1742lb/2368lb to full height (bucket edge/pivot pin) - but the rating to 59" high is 2181lb/2734lb. Plus the breakout/rollback force at ground level is 2641lb/3273lb at ground level.

400X Specs

You're right at the limits of a 400X - but I am surprised it just sat there and ignored you. What RPM's are you using? My 4710/460 does need a little throttle to start working well.