Filling in my basement. Using 10cu bucket, mini h

[stray]

Well said Moss. No where did you tell any one not to do or even that they shouldn't. You just made some very sound points. Common Sense is good. Common sense plus Knowledge is better.

 

[FOURTEEN]

It's the weakest link thing! When you go beyond the normal load, something will suffer! When the rearend starts to lift off the ground, that is a clear sign that you are nearing the limit. If you add rear weight, then something else, sooner or later, will fail. The easiest and safest method is to make more trips! Is it really that hard to make nine 800# trips rather than eight 900# trips??!!

When I take a full bucket of crushed stone, with no added rear weight, my PT-425 is near its limit. It is light in the rear, but still fully maneuverable. Even so, a quick stop can raise the rear! So usually to make it easier on me and the PT, I transport a 90% full bucket and make a few extra trips. So what!!

I have the ability to lift a log this size, but don't, except to show off, because it's too big to maneuver!! So I cut one of these in half, or in thirds, then transport it, well within the PT's OEM lifting capacity!!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[pairodime]

I have almost 100 hours on my PT425. Almost all of it pushing the tractor to the limits while moving dirt around with the 4n1 bucket. I have overloaded so many times I am almost comfortable with having PT pucker. My PT has impressed the snot out of me. However, the PT has shown some signs of wear-- the welds cracked on the bottom pivot mounts on the lift plate and the lift plate itself shows some stress cracks and is no longer perfectly straight. No big deal and Terry offered to fix, but it was easier to just take it to a guy I know and have it welded right back up rather than wait for it to go through the mail.

I'd hate to think what I would have damaged if I'd added an extra 100lbs to the rear of the tractor to increase my lift capability.

 

[Clarke]

The little bit of weight I am considering on the back hitch would not be there to make a 1430 out of a 425 just to make the machine a little more stable within its envelope.. Trust me I can overload this machine and have done it many times. I have 110 hrs at this point so far haven't damaged anything. I keep 8 PSI in the front tires and can almost tell the load on the machine by looking at the tires..

sg

 

[MossRoad]

Yep. I watch my tires, too. When they squish to just the right distortion I know I'm pushing my luck. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[BobRip]

Good point. However, beyond the tractor limit the hydraulics will not lift since a relief valve opens. As long as you don't adjust this limit, I believe it will be OK.

 

[MossRoad]

I've yet to have my FEL not lift. The reliefs have never opened. The rear has always come off the ground. The only way to test the reliefs would be to start hanging weights on the rear until the reliefs let loose or the unit breaks. The problem with these little beasts is the hydraulic system is too powerful for the size of the tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[tracdoc]

MR,

That's what I like about these "beasts" as you call them! An oppportunity for a guy who has always been impressd with the power and precision of hydraulic equipment to play (err.., I mean work) with a piece firsthand. Gotta love it...