Bump up lift capacity of L3400/LA463 Loader

[newbury]

First, you really should to start a new thread, since this thread is from a different model (and issue)...

...as for if you should test the FEL with a leaky valve and/or cylinders, I personally don't see a reason to do it. You don't know how much hydraulic oil is actually dead heading into the gauge giving you an accurate reading vs. how much pressure will be leaking around the valve. I don't think you will know if it's an accurate reading or not.

Doing it to know what the reading is, yea fine. But I would not try to adjust the pressure based on what readings you get... I can easily be wrong about this but seem to me, rebuild the the cylinders and/or valve, first to make sure that was your problem. Adjust the pressure as the last step.

Another vote for test it but don't adjust it until fixed.

 

[Drewdaman]

Thanks for the replies, and I'm following the advice given - I tested the system and the high reading was almost 2600 but I won't adjust it higher until I get the cylinders rebuilt and possibly have the valve looked at, too. Thanks again!

 

[LD1]

The valve should be the first priority.

I wouldnt rebuild the cylinders just for the **** of it. Test them. If they need rebuilding then fine.

 

[Einthewoods]

Very disappointed. I was hoping my L3301 was light on pressure and had this thread bookmarked for weeks. I ordered a gauge and bought some washers. Tested it tonight and it is right at 2350psi.

I have been let down several times expecting it to lift more and was hoping it was going to be a couple hundred psi under spec. I don't plan to bump it up past spec....though I am tempted to try and get it to about 2500psi.

Being this is my first tractor, I didn't have the right expectations for what the FEL would lift. In my next lifetime when my better half lets me get another tractor, I will take the lift capacity more seriously with the knowledge I now have.

Thanks for the thread and all the comments though, very informative!

 

[ritschner]

I understand your feelings. The spec on my older L2800 is 2347psi, but after finding this thread in 2008 I raised the pressure to 2700psi and never looked back. I am very thorough on maintenance but still work the tractor hard at times, including enlarging a couple of ponds east of San Antonio in black clay country. Having the extra pressure with it's lift and breakout capacity made a big difference. I believe the primary risk of the the increased pressure and carrying is a decrease in safety margins you get from carrying and lifting the extra weight. Having enough counterweight and being on level ground when performing a high lift definitely come into play with these smaller tractors.

 

[Tomtint]

It’s been a while now since I put the shim in the valve of mine, no problems to report .. but I certainly like the added lifting capacity

 

[davedj1]

Very disappointed. I was hoping my L3301 was light on pressure and had this thread bookmarked for weeks. I ordered a gauge and bought some washers. Tested it tonight and it is right at 2350psi.

I have been let down several times expecting it to lift more and was hoping it was going to be a couple hundred psi under spec. I don't plan to bump it up past spec....though I am tempted to try and get it to about 2500psi.

Being this is my first tractor, I didn't have the right expectations for what the FEL would lift. In my next lifetime when my better half lets me get another tractor, I will take the lift capacity more seriously with the knowledge I now have.

Thanks for the thread and all the comments though, very informative!

One thing you have to keep in mind with these smaller tractors is that the loader is more of an after thought. They were not built to have loaders on them, they are for pulling implements and the loaders were thought of along the way. If you need serious lifting power buy a loader or skidsteer as they are built for the task.

 

[Fallon]

One thing you have to keep in mind with these smaller tractors is that the loader is more of an after thought. They were not built to have loaders on them, they are for pulling implements and the loaders were thought of along the way. If you need serious lifting power buy a loader or skidsteer as they are built for the task.

Other than "smaller" in front of "tractors", you are right. Bass backwards impliment on the wrong end of the machine to maximize its effectiveness. Still handy though.

 

[davedj1]

Other than "smaller" in front of "tractors", you are right. Bass backwards impliment on the wrong end of the machine to maximize its effectiveness. Still handy though.

No question that it is probably one of the handiest things you can own! I just think people expect too much from them.

 

[stoyan79]

Just about all manufacturers sell their sub-compacts and compacts running @ about 2,700psi from the factory, using comparable components.
I have no idea why Kubota sets theirs so low. I bumped mine @ 2,650psi few years ago, and she has been great!

Only thing is, I had to increase the weight of my counterweight from 1,100 pounds to 1,400, as I started lifting the rear end once I bumped the pressure.

Very disappointed. I was hoping my L3301 was light on pressure and had this thread bookmarked for weeks. I ordered a gauge and bought some washers. Tested it tonight and it is right at 2350psi.

I have been let down several times expecting it to lift more and was hoping it was going to be a couple hundred psi under spec. I don't plan to bump it up past spec....though I am tempted to try and get it to about 2500psi.

Being this is my first tractor, I didn't have the right expectations for what the FEL would lift. In my next lifetime when my better half lets me get another tractor, I will take the lift capacity more seriously with the knowledge I now have.

Thanks for the thread and all the comments though, very informative!