Can I increase the lift capacity of my JD 70 bucket on a JD790?

[Bearcreek1]

I would like to increase the lift capacity. The manual says it can raise 770 pounds to full height. Is it possible to increase that to 1,000 pounds? Thanks.

 

[teg]

Do you mean safely increase it to 1000 #??? Funny you list your location as "Accident, MD". Just having fun....

So for Kubota, several have increased the lift capacity 300 pounds and more and no one has reported a problem yet. I'm sure it can be done, I just don't know how to do it on a JD. Sure someone should be able to reply with a better answer....

 

[JimRB]

Lift capacity is based in part on tractor capacity. The loader I have on my tractor works on an 870, 970 and 1070. It uses different pivots on the bigger tractors. The bigger tractors probably have bigger tires, bigger wheel bearings and bigger king pins and such.

 

[George2615]

You can buy and install a shim kit for your pressure relief valve. The shim kit will increase system pressure. Not sure if you'll get it up to 1K lift but should be close. Just be aware increasing system pressure will put more stress on the cylinders, seals, lines, hoses etc. A friend of mine installed the shims on his 790 and said it made a big difference. Also make sure you have counterweight on the 3 pt. to keep the rear end from getting light.

 

[Bearcreek1]

Thanks to all who have replied. I will look into the shim kit. I understand the additional stress issue. I will also talk to our local JD mechanic and see if he has any experience with this. Thanks again.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I you can get the mechanic (or look in a service manual) to show you which poppet valve in the three point hitch control linkage is the pressure relief valve you can remove it and make your own shims and experiment till you get the pressure you want. All you need for gauges is a 0-3000 psi gauge and fit it onto a remote outlet. To check pressure just hold your hydraulic lever open on the outlet that has the gauge and read your pressure. Don't do this for long as it's hard on the hydraulic system. You just need to hold the lever long enough to get an accurate reading.

I would be careful doing this as you don't really want to go any higher with your pressure than you absolutely need to. If you decide to do this yourself take a pressure reading with the gauge before you change anything. You need a base line to start from. If your hydraulic pressures are already a lot higher than factory settings then you need to try to move lighter loads or buy a heavier tractor.

 

[Bearcreek1]

Thanks pmsmechanic, I am not a mechanic but do know when something is beyond my ability. I will show this blog to our local mechanic and see if he has experienced something similar.