Adding more lift to the FEL

[daveman]

Is there any way to get a little more lift capacity out of the front end loader? I received an order of animal food by truck this weekend. It was at 2,000 lbs per pallet. My Tractor says 1,750 is the max lift. But coming off the back of the Semi. I couldnt get more than 1,550. Are there any ideas? Is the Joystick control valve part o the problem? Or should I be happy with what I got and quit whining? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Note: This is a Compact tractor from Farmtrac. 360 TLB package.

 

[JerryG]

Dave,
There are a couple of ways to increase the lift. One is to increase the diameter of the cylinders by 1/4-1/2". The other way would be to increase the relief pressure by 10%. Let me also put in one warning. If either one of these are done, you may be in violation of your warranty. That would be a problem if the tractor was to break, but most are designed to be able to handle more that the way shipped.

 

[Dutch445]

The rating of 1750 lbs could be at the pivot pin, not out on a set of forks. Once you reach out further, your lift capacity drops quickly. Also, lift capacity changes as you go up in height. What you can lift off the ground, you may not be able to lift up at 4' in the air off the truck. Your hyrdaulics will only do so much, what it is designed to do, so I doubt there is a problem there. The system could be checked for flow and pressure if you suspected more of a problem.

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[JerryG]

<font color="blue"> The system could be checked for flow and pressure if you suspected more of a problem.</font>
That's right. The pressure needs to be checked. There is a good size number of tractors with loaders that are sold with the pressure below the specked amount.

 

[KirkMcD]

Also, if you do increase the lifting weight of the FEL, make sure that you increase the counter weight in the back.

 

[Dutch445]

Here is what I mean about lifting specs,,, they assign a different spec for every possible scenario it seems...
In this example, item U has max lift capacity to full height of 1598 lbs, where item V is only 1122 lbs.

Those values change, if only lifted to 59", W is 2125 lbs, and X is 1649 lbs.

So, as you can see, a maximum lift value may be only good for the weight at a certain position on the loader.

(these values are on the new JD 300CX loader!)

 

[Maka]

Dave, who makes the loader on your Farmtrac?

Maka

 

[GerardC]

Unless your getting shipments like that all the time, I wouldn't worry about it. Break down the pallet and take what you can.
If you get them frequently, see if they can ship the pallets in a weight load per pallet that your tractor can handle. Gerard

 

[daveman]

The loader is also made by Farmtrac. At least from everything I can find out! Also I forgot about the warranty. Glad it was mentioned. I hate to through that away. I had the pressure checked by the dealer and it's to spec. (Whatever that is? that was all they said.) According to the book there is an 8.5gpm flow on this unit. It did lift better when I shut down the flow to the backhoe. I guess for now I'm requestion the shipments be broken down to under 1,500 lbs Just to keep it safe. I don't want to break it before it's paid for. (Or after for thet matter.) Thanks for all the ideas! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[KennedyDiesel]

Yup, I just ordered a 3,000 psi gauge for this purpose. That and shimming an old Kubota for a friend.

 

[Defective]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I guess for now I'm requestion the shipments be broken down to under 1,500 lbs Just to keep it safe.)</font>

Dave,

The chemical warehouse I worked at for a while Ships a whole lot of ag products in the spring. You've reminded me of the serious backaches I don't miss at all. Most of our ag shipments involved splitting & weighing the pallets. Our usual target weight was half a ton. Believe it, The guys at the warehouse may complain, but they know the score and are quite willing to help you work safely.

 

[daveman]

Where would the best place be to mount a gauge instead of the idiot light? The light is only for temprature and not pressure and in this weather it's almost always on. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Our normal feed mill burnt down in December and is still rebuilding. They have been having the food ground at another mill which only ships on 1 ton per pallet. BUT I spoke with the trucking company and to save time they said they would gladly break it down to 1/2 ton pallet loads when it's at the dock if I can't get this other mill to do it.

 

[KennedyDiesel]

I figured the gauge would attach to a hose or rigid fitting with a quick coupler so I could plug it into a remote for an occasional checkup. Not really intending to monitor it, just periodically verify although the gauge is a nice glycerin filled 3,000 psi unit.

What light are you referring to?

 

[daveman]

There's an idiot light on the dash that is the symbol of a pump. It lites when you first start the tractor. Then when it's cold out it seems to never go out. The 60+ degree day we had last week. ( A real fluke in N.E. Ohio) the light went out right after I started it. When I called the dealer is when I found out that it was a temprature sensor that lets you know when the fluid is to hot. (Working to hard). He also stated that in the winter it seems to work the opposite and if it gets below freezing. It may stay on because the sensor can't tell the difference between to hot and way to cold! (Dumb sensor /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif)