Anyway to make my loader lift more

[ironpig70]

I have a Kubota B7800 with an LA402 loader and it has about a 900 pound capacity. Well I am moving wet heavy cly dirt and I am filling it to capacity. What happens when this happens is the loader will not lift. If I roll the bucket forward and lift up I loose some dirt but get it a little more off the ground. Not a major issue but it leads me to some questions.


1) Is there something wrong with the hydralics? Filter(s).

2) Is there so kind of cheap fix/way to increase my lifying capability?


This tractor is used with 1478 hours on it. Bought it from a rental company. Figured it may have seen some idiots behind the wheel but it was probaly taken care o alot better than most folks.

 

[kennyd]

1) You can get a gauge and check the pressure to make sure it's up to spec.

2) No, not really without risking damage to the tractor.

 

[JJZ 109]

I have a Kubota B7800 with an LA402 loader and it has about a 900 pound capacity. Well I am moving wet heavy cly dirt and I am filling it to capacity. What happens when this happens is the loader will not lift. If I roll the bucket forward and lift up I loose some dirt but get it a little more off the ground. Not a major issue but it leads me to some questions.


1) Is there something wrong with the hydralics? Filter(s).

2) Is there so kind of cheap fix/way to increase my lifying capability?


This tractor is used with 1478 hours on it. Bought it from a rental company. Figured it may have seen some idiots behind the wheel but it was probaly taken care o alot better than most folks.

I've got an LA403. As you say, they're only rated for around 900 lbs (1091 lbs. at pivot pin, 783 lbs. 19.7 inches forward). You may get a little more out of it by shimming the relief valve, but it's generally not recommended to mess with it too much.
First thing to do it get yourself a gauge and see how much hydraulic pressure you have to the loader. Then compare that with the range given in the shop manual. Some guys have posted on here that the factory sets them a little low purposely. I found that mine was not low at all.
I thought about shimming mine to bump up the capacity a tad. But after checking the pressure found it was actually at the high end of the range so I left it alone.
Hopefully a couple of our posters named Kenny will chime in here and point you in the right direction.

Looks like ya beat me by a few minutes this morning Kenny! Must have not been awake enough to see your post.

 

[20 20]

You may be treading on thin ice if your planing on pushing it more then it should be. I quess I'll be the 1st to say, if everything is within specs PLEASE, don't do something that may cause you harm.

 

[flyingcow]

You may be treading on thin ice if your planing on pushing it more then it should be. I quess I'll be the 1st to say, if everything is within specs PLEASE, don't do something that may cause you harm.

+1. Wet dirt, whether it's clay or gravel or loam...is heavy ****. If you got to bucket it far, I'd go 2/3 of a bucket. A lot of stress on FEL and tractor "frame". If it has a frame. If it doesn't, there is always that possibility of cracking the ears off of the motor and tranny. And that wouldn't be good.

 

[J_J]

I am not recommended you bypass safety, but if your tractor is out of warranty, it now belongs to you. You can do what you want. Yes you can increase the weight lifting capability. The tractor probably is set up with safety in mind. They are probably not tuned to max. You can increase what you have by increasing the pressure relief setting. You can perhaps get larger cylinders. If there is a problem with tipping, then extra weight on the back will help. A smaller bucket might help some. Using a boom pole for lifting would help.

I haven't seen to many lift arms buckled.

The extra lift capability may pose a concern for the front axle, wheels and bearings.

People have modified things since time began, and some work and some don't. If you want to do it , it is your choice.

Install a 3000 psi gage in the circuit, and check and/or set the correct relief. Some are set by a threaded bolt, and others by shims. Install the gage before the FEL valve, using a hyd tee.

Do you know what the tractor is supposed to lift as compared to what the tractor is lifting now?

Does your relief activate when you are lifting now

Your pump may be bypassing due to wear and tear. My PT-1445 was only lifting about half it's rated capacity. New pump fixed the problem.

 

[Argosy]

Or breaking the front axle housing, blowing tires, destroying bearings. It's hard to tell why the limit was set at 900 lbs., but with wet clay it won't take a lot to reach it.

I moved 150 yards of wet clay last summer with a rear scraper bucket in two days. It's a pain but if you keep at it and don't break the tractor you will get done pretty quickly.

 

[ironpig70]

Thanks everybody.

Think I will get a gauge and test this. So with a gauge I just put it in line with one of my loder hoses at a time and see what I get? And then compare this to the specs?


I'd rather not do something that will destroy the tractor or myself.

 

[jlsmith]

They set these specs for a reason. That is what the loader and tractor is designed for. If one changes or alters these specs i dont see a good outcome. It might not happen for some time but something good happen causing a large repair bill. Maybe its just time for a larger tractor that will handle the stuff your tryng to do. JMO
Jeremy

 

[jlsmith]

Thanks everybody.

Think I will get a gauge and test this. So with a gauge I just put it in line with one of my loder hoses at a time and see what I get? And then compare this to the specs?


I'd rather not do something that will destroy the tractor or myself.

There should be a test port some where on the tractor. ask your dealer and they should be able to tell you where that is. Good luck.