Bump up lift capacity of L3400/LA463 Loader

[mjfox6]

I increased the pressure of my hydraulics this past weekend. I boosted it from 2300 to 2500 psi by using a 0.4 mm washer. I ordered the washer with the rest of my annual maintenance items and installed it after I drained the hydraulic fluid.

I personally couldn't really tell the difference in loader performance just by raising and lowering it. Can't wait to get a loader full of dirt to really try it out.

 

[LD1]

I know this is an old thread but I was bored today and figured I'd breath new life into it as I have had a chance to check my pressure and play around with numbers some.

Basicall in a nutshell, what I have figured is that 1psi = 1 lb gained in lift capacity. My tested 2300 and I uped it to 2800 which should result in about 500lbs increase.

I have read places where people use the formula 400psi increase/2300psi starting pressure = ~21% increase. 1100lbs capacity before + 17% increase = 187 lb increase in capacity. But that is not accurate.

Taking some measurements off the loader geometry and doing some calculations I have figured that actual cylinder force (piston area x psi) x 21% = the actual force at the pins, which is like 2300lbs lift force. (yea I was really bored)

So why the difference.........the weight of the loader has to be taken out to give true lifting capacity. The weight of the loader itself takes about half of the force to lift, the other half is your "lifting capacity".

When you increase the pressure and take it as a percentage of the whole, you just allocated more force to lift the loader but it doesn't take anymore force than before.

Rough example without getting technical:
You can lift 1000 lbs, but it takes 1000lbs just to lift the loader. You have a total force of 2000lbs. Your pressure is 2000psi and you up it to 2500psi a 25% increase. 25% x 1000lbs capacity = 1250 lbs capacity...WRONG!
25% x total force of 2000lbs = 2500lbs. It still only takes 1000lbs to lift the loader empty. 2500-1000= 1500lbs lift force. You added 500lbs and ont 250lbs.

Sorry for the long winded post but its rough being laid off on a rainy day with nothing to do.

 

[Harvest Moon]

Cool LD1. Thanks for that, it makes sense!

 

[teg]

I just want to keep this thread active till I check mine Just got the gauge today and will rig it up so I can check what I got but will wait till the 200 service hours (at 178 now) to make any changes.

 

[LD1]

I forgot to add that when I did mine the shop vac on the fill hole really works. I didn't loose a drop of hydraulic fluid. All told it took me 10 min. Pull the plug, add a washer, put plug back. Easy as pie.

 

[Harvest Moon]

I just checked my pressure, it read 2350 lbs, which is basically factory max. I'm about to do the 200 hour hydraulic filter/hose service so I'm thinking nows the best time to change the relief setting.

Any of you who've bumped it up have anything new to report about performance? Is it worth it? Has it had any affect on your 3 point?

From what I can tell the specs. are based on WOT, so thats how I tested. What RPM did you guys test? I'm thinking of basing my pressure off PTO speed (closer to 2275 lbs) as I pretty much never go above PTO speed and shooting for a modest 2500 lbs.

So the fact is, 99% of all my loader work is actually done closer to the factory min pressure because 99% of it is done a few hundred RPM below PTO speed.

But I am interested in any feedback available before I bother. Thanks.

 

[ht1]

I increased my pressure to 2500psi so far no problems but I notice the extra lift capacity when using my forks I do like that.

 

[Harvest Moon]

ht1, do you know what RPM you set/read 2500 psi at?

 

[J_J]

LD1,

Did you take into account the angle that the cylinder is to the lifting arms. I posted some data in the Power-Trac Forum post #116

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/143470-tazewell-visit-suggestions-12.html

 

[SPYDERLK]

ht1, do you know what RPM you set/read 2500 psi at?

Pls. see post#66.
larry