Finally got to really use my loader: Massey 1648

[TSO]

... and I'm pretty darn impressed with this DL130 loader! I'm removing an area of driveway that I've rerouted to a different spot, which includes gravel (crushed concrete base) along with an area of slab. The slab seems to be about 6" thick in most places.

Using my 60" "rock" bucket, I've been able to sink the 12" tines right in and pry up the rocks & the slabs.

So here's what really impressed me ... the big slab (pictured) was roughly 5'x9', and roughly 6" thick. That's 22.5 cu/ft. The general consensus is that set concrete weighs in at 150lbs per cu/ft, so that's around 3400 lbs. I'm not bragging or anything, but this loader really impressed me.

Anyhow ... it's always fun to break stuff with our tractors, so here's a few pics:

 

[grm61]

Looks like fun:thumbsup:

 

[RG1]

I'm not surprised at all. I could lift some impressive stuff with the 4500/460 FEL I had.

I would suggest putting some serious ballast on the rear for doing that kind of work though. It will help make the front axle last longer.

I know I've said it before, but I really like the looks of that tractor.

 

[TSO]

I'm not surprised at all. I could lift some impressive stuff with the 4500/460 FEL I had.

I would suggest putting some serious ballast on the rear for doing that kind of work though. It will help make the front axle last longer.

I know I've said it before, but I really like the looks of that tractor.

Thanx! Yeah, I typically always work with ballast ... I just happened to be driving by with the rock bucket and figured I'd spend a few minutes digging. I really don't have time for this project right now so I probably shouldn't have started it yet lol

 

[RG1]

I'm gonna have to hook up with you some time just so I can see that baby in person. LOL

 

[TSO]

I'm gonna have to hook up with you some time just so I can see that baby in person. LOL

Well, me and KenB2920 have been talking about setting up a Tractor-Test day again for this summer.

But seriously tho, now that I've found a loader that I think I could be happy with, I'm just wishing I had the 1652 instead of the 1648 ... bigger displacement engine, 20% more torque... I'll never be happy lol.

 

[RG1]

Well, me and KenB2920 have been talking about setting up a Tractor-Test day again for this summer.

But seriously tho, now that I've found a loader that I think I could be happy with, I'm just wishing I had the 1652 instead of the 1648 ... bigger displacement engine, 20% more torque... I'll never be happy lol.

A day like that would put me in the poor house because I'd be out buying a new tractor that I don't need ( at the moment anyway) the next chance I had.:laughing:

 

[Gary Fowler]

It is nice to have a big tractor sometimes. Best of both worlds is to have a big one and a small one for the little jobs. Not to long ago, I was doing similar job as you moving some big thick concrete slabs. I had picked up one with my LS and placed some boards under it. I was up at the place doing some work with my Kubota and I though I would see just how much my B 26 could do so I chained it to the slab. I couldn't lift it, couldn't even budge it with the tractor in L range. The LS struggled with some of the 40 foot long slabs that wouldn't break in to two or more pieces just dragging them. Even in 4 WD I was getting a lot of tire slippage, but I got them all out and stacked. They were all about 2 feet wide x 12" thick with max length 40 feet. The previous property owner had put them down to park a mobile home on and used them for tiedowns. I did use the B26 on a couple of them to dig the dirt from each side so the LS could pick them up. Ground suction was too great even for the LS, but after removing the soil from each side, I was able to pick them up and move them out of the trench they were in so I could put a chain around them and drag them off. I didn't calculate the weight, but it was all my 70 HP tractor wanted to pull and pick up on just one end.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I had bowed the bottom of the FEL on my LS back dragging and hitting stumps and rocks so it was about 1.5" high in the middle. After lifting all those slabs and bowing the lip in the down direction, it looks like the cutting edge is straight again so some good did come from torturing the FEL with those slabs.

 

[TSO]

It is nice to have a big tractor sometimes. Best of both worlds is to have a big one and a small one for the little jobs. Not to long ago, I was doing similar job as you moving some big thick concrete slabs. I had picked up one with my LS and placed some boards under it. I was up at the place doing some work with my Kubota and I though I would see just how much my B 26 could do so I chained it to the slab. I couldn't lift it, couldn't even budge it with the tractor in L range. The LS struggled with some of the 40 foot long slabs that wouldn't break in to two or more pieces just dragging them. Even in 4 WD I was getting a lot of tire slippage, but I got them all out and stacked. They were all about 2 feet wide x 12" thick with max length 40 feet. The previous property owner had put them down to park a mobile home on and used them for tiedowns. I did use the B26 on a couple of them to dig the dirt from each side so the LS could pick them up. Ground suction was too great even for the LS, but after removing the soil from each side, I was able to pick them up and move them out of the trench they were in so I could put a chain around them and drag them off. I didn't calculate the weight, but it was all my 70 HP tractor wanted to pull and pick up on just one end.

I would love to have two (or even 3 ;-) ) tractors! My next one will probably be a backhoe, then maybe a SCUT or small CUT for little stuff. Money being what it is, I just have to stick with 1 for now. I wish I had more HP, but for what it is, this 1648 seems pretty well balanced & capable.

Your setup is pretty ideal tho ... The big high HP gear tractor with mega-loader ... along with the little HST for little jobs (plus the backhoe to boot!)