FEL on 5045D

[jed1894]

It was recommended that I ask you guys this question:

I'm thinking about putting a 512 loader on my 5045D. According to the specs, it should pick up the largest of hay bales. I understand the ballast and tip over issues, I'm just making sure the loader will actually pick up the bales high enough to double stack them.

Anyone with experience?

thanks, jed

 

[Jeepin4fun]

It'll pick up 1850lbs 32" out from the pivot pins, which would be about the center of the bale, 114" high, so I guess it depends on the size bales you are using. I wouldn't forsee it being a problem, as even with 4x4 bales you would only need to pick it up 6 1/2 feet or so to double stack them if you stab it in the center. It'll pick up 2300lbs 6ft up at 31" from the pins so unless you have some abnormally large bales, I think you'd be fine. With a lot of ballast of course.

 

[ctlguy]

Is this just a 2wd machine? If it isn't why not spend the extra $500 and get the 553 loader and gain a little lift height?

 

[Jeepin4fun]

5045d is 2wd, 5045e is 4wd, 553 would definitely lift more.

 

[jed1894]

Thanks....ordered the 512 today. Don't want to invest too much in loader for a 2wd. Just wanted to make sure I could get the hay off my low trailer and into the horse pen.

thanks, jed

 

[jed1894]

Got another question:

Does anyone know the weight of the 512 loader. I have the weights installed on front now and my dealer is going to sway them for some back wheel weights for ballast. But, if the bucket is empty and I'm bush hogging, etc. I don't want it to bounce (like it did before the front weights were added). Does the FEL weigh enough to off-set this bounce?

thanks, jed

 

[jenkinsph]

How much front weight did your tractor require on the front to prevent the bouncing?

I have 420 lbs of front weight for my MX6 and works great, I suspect you could do the same without the bucket attached using just the loader frame.

 

[jed1894]

How much front weight did your tractor require on the front to prevent the bouncing?

I have 420 lbs of front weight for my MX6 and works great, I suspect you could do the same without the bucket attached using just the loader frame.

I'm not sure....I'll be at the farm later and I'll add them up. I believe I have 6 of those weight plates plus the mounting bracket. I'm sure the loader will at least weigh as much.

thanks, jed

 

[bglz42]

You are going to LOVE that rig! I've had my 5045D/512 for a year, and I find more uses for it every day...

Jim in Texas

 

[bennelli25]

I have the 5055d with a 512 loader. I use the loader for lifting logs. I had a big 30+ inch wet red oak log that I tried to lift with it. I looked online for a calcuator and it estimated it at 2500 lbs. The tractor and loader didn't seem to have any problems lifting it. So far I have been able to either lift what I wanted or the back of the tracker came off the ground. I'm still working on getting enough ballast. I have a 6' tiller that helps but I'm going to try for about 1500 lbs of concrete to make sure I have enough. The only thing I don't like about the two wheel drive is trying to move things without enough ballast. It doesn't work well especially in the snow...

Also, I have a big mower as well. Once you put the loader and bucket on you will not have any bouncing at all.

 

[jed1894]

REVIEW:

Since everyone was so nice and helpful, I thought I would post a small review of my FEL on 5045D. Just to recap, I stayed with the 5045D and added a loader (512).

Although I've only used it for a couple days, yesterday I had a half day on it and I and very satisfied. As stated before, I will not use this loader for heavy work--just around my 40 acre farm. It also does not snow where I live and my farm is on flat land.

I did not run into a situation where I needed 4wd. I am glad because I may have damaged the loader. The 2wd will probably keep me out of trouble. I pushed up some small stumps, lifted and moved some old farm eqp., move some dirt to some different locations. By-the-way, I picked up a full bucket of dirt with nothing on the rear except water-filled tires. I was expecting it to tilt, but it did not.

Overall, I'm pleased with the FEL on the 2wd tractor. We'll see how it works out as time goes on. Thanks again for all the advice and comments.

jed