Front end snapped-- bummer

[Diamondpilot]

I'm sorry to hear that one must be so cautious when loading on these tractors.

Its simply a risk. I have 850 hours on my Jinma 284 and 500 or more of them hours are using the FEL in 4x4 either loading dirt/gravel or skidding/lifting logs. I have not had any issues but if and when it does I will fix it.

I know the risks.

Chris

 

[Gene :^)]

My 1999 Nortrac NT254 (Jimna) is holding up fine and I almost never take it out of 4wd. I load the FEL in 4wd all the time.

I never run the bucket fast into whatever I am loading. I always approach the pile, stop, put it in 1 low or 2 low, and crawl into the pile slow. This slow push into the pile allows me time to run the hydraulic control for the bucket to get the best fill. I fill the bucket heaping high then shift back to high range and go.

Gene :^)

 

[RonMar]

Yep, slow and steady works for me also. It gives me time to optimize the bucket, and also to stop if the bucket/tractor stops, before the drivetrain gets overloaded. I think the breakages mostly occur when things repeatedly get stopped suddenly(wheels) while the bucket is under load. Weight = Traction, that is one reason these tractors have so much pulling force for their size. They are heavy... You get that bucket into/under something that dosn't want to move, and load up and stall the front axle, you will find the weakest link in the drivetrain. It is by name and design a LOADER, not an excavator or bulldozer. In my experience, the larger in scale you get, the more important it is to have the right tool for the job IE: back in and tearup/loosen with the backhoe, then scoop out the loose bits with the FEL. That works well for me with this particular tool.

Good luck with your repairs.

 

[erj]

I believe that another consideration when using the FEL for heavy moving is providing a rear counter-balance to try to keep as much weight as possible on the rear wheels. Whenever I am going to do some heavy FEL work, I put the backhoe on.
RonJ

 

[Bob Rooks]

I believe that another consideration when using the FEL for heavy moving is providing a rear counter-balance to try to keep as much weight as possible on the rear wheels. Whenever I am going to do some heavy FEL work, I put the backhoe on.
RonJ

I know your intentions are good but in essence you are only adding more total weight to the tractor and the front axle - the fulcrum point. In essence, you are possibly overcoming design and axle limitations to get the task done.

IMHO.

 

[greg_g]

In essence, you are possibly overcoming design and axle limitations to get the task done. IMHO.

But not in the opinion of the tractor manufacturers. Got my new John Deere Monday, and have been going through the various operation manuals. They dedicated a surprising amount of space to ballast. Three different front loaders are optional for this tractor. Progressively heavier loaders require progressively more ballast. And John Deere is addressing just the weight added by the loader. Although unstated in the manuals, the recommended ballast weights/distribution probably also considers the lift capacity of each loader as well. In each case, the manual recommends optional rear wheel weights or filled tires. Depending upon how much weight that represents, they go on to give a specified amount of additional weight be put on the three point hitch. This is in the form of a purpose built ballast box, or an implement of equivalent weight.

And all this additional weight is just to compensate for the loader itself. Empty. Granted, ballast adds to the gross weight. But it's the amount and distribution of that ballast that actually relieves stress on the vulnerable front of a loader equipped tractor, ostensibly by shifting the center of gravity toward the rear.

//greg//

 

[Gene :^)]

I always have an attachment on the back end when lifting anything more than fluff with the FEL.

90% of the time it is the backhoe but sometimes the Box Blade or Chipper.

Otherwise the tractor is so light in the back end that the rear tires have close to zero traction and a sudden stop in 4wd with the FEL loaded and up high can lift the rear wheels off the ground.

2wd is useless with a heavy load in the FEL and no rear attachment because you just spin the tires... and forget about stopping on any kind of incline. You will just lock the rear tires and slide out of control, I have done it. I had to drop the FEL to the ground to stop me.

Gene :^)

 

[erj]

Granted, ballast adds to the gross weight. But it's the amount and distribution of that ballast that actually relieves stress on the vulnerable front of a loader equipped tractor, ostensibly by shifting the center of gravity toward the rear.

//greg//

Thank you, Greg.
That is the point that I was trying to make.
RonJ

 

[Bob Rooks]

And all this additional weight is just to compensate for the loader itself. Empty. Granted, ballast adds to the gross weight. But it's the amount and distribution of that ballast that actually relieves stress on the vulnerable front of a loader equipped tractor, ostensibly by shifting the center of gravity toward the rear.

The FEL mounts in approximately the center of the tractor. The support and reaction framework extends to forward of the front axle. The loader bucket is in front of the front axle, thus, the front axle is the fulcrum point. Any weight added to the rear is just excess baggage ("counterweight")(aft of the rear-wheel fulcrum point) until a load is applied to the FEL bucket, which in turn transfers a portion of that weight to the front axle in compensation. No weight will get transferred to the rear wheels during FEL operations unless you relocate the the FEL attachment points to the rear of the rear wheels. Thus the reason for the counterweight behind the rear wheels.

 

[greg_g]

I'm starting to get a better understanding as to why you like Obama Bob. You were against ballast before you were for it.

//greg//