FEL Stress

[slowrev]

Slowzuki,
I don't see how a loader will damage an engine either other than possibly bolt up casting damage. The damage from riding the clutch described in another post will happen with or without a loader if you abuse your clutch. My loader attaches to the rear axle and to brackets over the front axle. I like this arrangement as it does not focus stress on the tranny mounting points as many loaders do. The only downside is that it is a bigger pain to take on and off, but then I seldom want or need to take it off anyway.
I have 1800 lbs of rear ballast on my tractor, works pretty good and has been on there for about 1,500 hours with no problems to the tractor. My rear tires are also loaded. The best thing is that I can do some serious digging with that weight back there, and don't have to worry about my tractor falling on its nose when lifting a heavy load. I have lifted an F150 Ford pickup up onto a flatbed with it, not bad for a 3,700 LB ( shipping weight ) 40 HP tractor. The truck was junk so the chain creases in the sheet metal did not matter /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif This tractor has been used in this configuration with the loaded tires and rear weights for 25 years with no damage to the tractor. It still has the origional rear axle bearings in it. A bit long, sorry off of my box now /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The truck was junk so the chain creases in the sheet metal did not matter )</font>

...pretty much descibes ALL F-150s. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
I just couldn't resist, Slowrev. You set that up so well. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[slowrev]

Jim,
Yes it does pretty much describe them /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif No offense here, not really a brand specific kind of guy. I do have an old 75 ford F 250 that sort of looks like it was chain lifted, but what the heck it was free and runs /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif The good thing is I don't feel bad when I add another dent/scratch /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[CMunger]

I think anybody that would be concerned about any of these stress related problems needs to study how these new mid-mount design loaders have been designed to address some of these problems.
Chuck M.

 

[normde2001]

Let's face it, guys, farm tractors were never designed to carry the weight and stress of a front end loader or backhoe. They are a relatively recent addon; however, tractor designs were never upgraded to accomodate them.

 

[slowrev]

Norm,
IH used to make industrial versions of their AG tractors with heavy duty front axles and such. Many of these tractors were designed for loader/backhoe work. They seemed to be the forerunners of the "real" backhoes. I think JD and Ford also made industrial versions.