Adjusting Hydraulic capacity on DK45Se

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Hey all, I am wondering if I could/should try and adjust my hydraulics to get a little more umph out of it. Its a 2012 (at least that's when I bought it). It seems to me to hit the capacity too easy and won't lift. Sometimes when using the FEL and lifting the rear wheels come off the ground, but I rarely put on my ballast box too. My tiller is usually on there and that's maybe 350#.

Specifically I think it would benefit me when I try and curl a stump or rock as I try to get it out of the ground.

My thoughts are I DON"T... Want to blow a line or something like that.

I saw place where it's possible to adjust it but it's not something I would do willy nilly.

 

[Harry in Ky]

Then start with a pressure gauge and see what pressure it has when loaded. Then you'll know more about what you need to do next.

 

[IndyIan]

Digging stumps of any size will make almost any Ag tractor loader feel weak, they aren't really made for it. Have you lifted anything you know the weight of? Pallet of wood pellets?, if you can lift a 2000lb pallet, the pressure is probably fine.
A heaping bucket of gravel is 1200-1400lbs so you should be able to toss that around no problems, and my tractor has no issues at all with a 1000lb round bale hanging off the tip of a 3' spear.
The curl is the strongest function, not the lift, and I have lifted a rear tire with 1000lbs on the back trying to curl a stump out for the ground. I think the load on the front axle when I did that is around 8000 lbs, so its not a good long term plan... So what I try to do, is put the loader in float, and just use the curl to apply the 2 tons of force without stressing the rest of loader or front axle. I've put a small bow in the bucket doing that, so its pretty much all the tractor can or should do?

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I have not lifted anything with known weight near the limit. Heaviest thing I have is a 900# bucket that has a conveyor in the bottom for shooting out mulch, gravel etc. I can only fill it about 1/2 full of wettish mulch before it refuses to lift it. In times past I have moved around full buckets of gravel/dirt without issues. I will try the float method this week as I try and dig out some more stumps and trees with my new stump bucket.

I don't have a gauge to test the hydraulics with.

 

[IndyIan]

I have not lifted anything with known weight near the limit. Heaviest thing I have is a 900# bucket that has a conveyor in the bottom for shooting out mulch, gravel etc. I can only fill it about 1/2 full of wettish mulch before it refuses to lift it. In times past I have moved around full buckets of gravel/dirt without issues. I will try the float method this week as I try and dig out some more stumps and trees with my new stump bucket.

I don't have a gauge to test the hydraulics with.

So your mulch bucket half full is about 2000lbs? Its a ways out from the pin, but probably a bit under the 3700lb capacity at the pin I would think? Without a gauge we are guessing, so I would recommend getting one.
With my regular bucket, I just sharpened up the front edge with the angle grinder and it made cutting roots or digging in dry turf much easier, and it takes a surprising amount of digging rocks to dull it much. With stumps you want to cut all the roots you can, as you will probably break your loader trying to rip them out. Check your loader mount bolts and pins on the load often!

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I think my FEL is limited to 2700# if memory serves me. Th big bucket I think is about 1.3 yards or so is heavy (the 900# I am referring to above). I use that to throw mulch in between our blackberry, grapes, blueberry plants. About 5 acres worth on our fruit farm.