Loader G3033 Actual FEL Lift Capability

seanbales · Feb 20, 2016

First of all, I am new to this forum and quite new to tractors in general. I recently purchased a 2015 LS G3033 (shuttle) w/FEL. The price was right and I really like the machine. We have about 12 acres in Wyoming and in the past three years it has really been a chore without a machine to help with the work. I haven't bought anything else for the tractor except putting on some LED work lights and a set of pallet forks/bale spear combo for the FEL quick attach.

Second, I purchased the tractor for a variety of reasons, but one of them is to move hay. We've purchased small square hay bales for the past few years but there's only my wife and I and it is just so much work. More interestingly, around here anyway, 3x3x8' bales are about half the price per ton than small squares are. Part of the idea here was that this new tractor would be able to unload 3x3x8' bales from my trailer and stack them in the barn. Now I am beginning to wonder if the tractor can do it.

Around here, a 3x3x8' hay bale is about 650-950 lb depending on moisture and how much grass versus alfalfa it is. The specs on the G3033 say the loader can lift 1600lb+ at the pivot pin, but that's really the best specs I can get. I tried lifting about a 500lb stack of empty pallets and about turned the tractor over.

So my question after all of that (sorry for being breathy) is, if you have a G3033, how much can you really lift with the FEL? What did you do for ballast in the back? I am a beginner and I am honestly open to any information I can get. I did search the forums to see if this had already been asked and answered and if I missed it, I apologize but I didn't find it specifically for the G3033.

If it helps any, what's listed here matches the manual... but the manual has so very little in it. TractorData.com LS G3033 tractor information

Thanks in advance!

gladehound · Feb 20, 2016

Welcome! After looking over the loader specs, I think it has the hydraulics to move the 600-900 pound bails and probably double stack. Don't know about triple stacking. Obviously, you need some weight on the back. One rule of thumb that tends to work is put as much on the rear as you put on the front, in this case, a 1000 pound weight box should be more than sufficient. I would also fill the rear tires for more stability.

Do a search for balast and you'll see all sorts of solutions. Some are quite creative.

Your situation is normal. Many modem CUTs can't lift anywhere near full capacity without a good amount of balast.

MtnViewRanch · Feb 20, 2016

First thing, fill your rear tires, Rim Guard or some other type of beet juice. Won't freeze up on you and is heavier than every other fluid used to fill tires. Second, I'm guessing with the property that you have that your driveway or other roads are dirt-gravel? If so, get a good heavy (700+lbs) grading implement for your tractor. Serves 3 purposes, rear ballast for your loader and added traction for the tractor and gives you a better way to maintain your roads-pathways than using your loader.

Good luck. :thumbsup:

seanbales · Feb 20, 2016

Thanks guys!

So I did a test today. See the attached pictures.

Basically there are 8 x 5gal buckets filled to the top with water and 6 x10gal tubs of water. I'm thinking this all adds up to about 850lb total, not counting the pallet forks. Water is about 8.3lb/gal, right?

The tractor had no trouble lifting the load but that rear left tire is clean off the ground.

I hear you guys loud and clear on rear ballast... But... I have folks here telling me that filling the tires ruins the rims. Does it damage the tires or wheels?

TSO · Feb 20, 2016

Calcium chloride, which they used to use, would rust and rot the rims.

That's in the past. Now they use beet juice, windshield washer fluid, or (bio-friendly) antifreeze

murphy1244 · Feb 20, 2016

seanbales said:
Thanks guys!

So I did a test today. See the attached pictures.

View attachment 457696 View attachment 457699 View attachment 457700

Basically there are 8 x 5gal buckets filled to the top with water and 6 x10gal tubs of water. I'm thinking this all adds up to about 850lb total, not counting the pallet forks. Water is about 8.3lb/gal, right?

The tractor had no trouble lifting the load but that rear left tire is clean off the ground.

I hear you guys loud and clear on rear ballast... But... I have folks here telling me that filling the tires ruins the rims. Does it damage the tires or wheels?

You need rear ballast or you will trash your front axles.

MtnViewRanch · Feb 20, 2016

TSO said:
Calcium chloride, which they used to use, would rust and rot the rims.

That's in the past. Now they use beet juice, windshield washer fluid, or (bio-friendly) antifreeze

To the OP, there might still be a few places that use Calcium Chloride, maybe your local shop is-was one of them. YOU DO NOT WANT TO USE CALCIUM CLORIDE. Any of the 3 listed will help out immensely with your loader problem, but you should still consider a heavy 3pt implement IMO.

Citydude · Feb 20, 2016

Welcome to the forum from NE Wyoming! Call the number listed on the Rimguard website. They will tell you who the tire dealers are in Cheyenne that sell it. Why they don't list dealers is kind of strange but that is how I found a dealer here.

They can load your rear tires without taking the tractor off the trailer by the way.

k0ua · Feb 20, 2016

If you put 900 to 1000 lbs on the 3 point hitch up close or a little less in the form of an implement that sticks out and load the tires you will be much safer In handling the weights you have in mind. , especially if you put your ROPS up. That a way if you do flip it over your chances for survival are somewhat better. Also as pointed out, your front axle will last a lot longer. Look at your photos. Not only is your front axle carrying the load up front but it is now carrying almost the entire weight of the tractor on the weakest axle of the tractor.

seanbales · Feb 21, 2016

So I borrowed an old 3-pt back blade and retried my test.

So the water adds up to about 1,050 lb (125 gal) and the tractor is completely stable now that it has the rear weight from the blade. But the FEL won't lift the load any higher than you see in the picture. It just stops lifting. I couldn't even put the pallet on my flat bed trailer.

I dumped 160 lb off and I was able to lift the load as high as I wanted to. That put the weight about 870-900 lb.

So I guess the G3033 can lift 900 lb. And it's rated for 1600 lb at the pin. I'm a little disappointed but glad I know now.

I might still get the tires filled with Rim Guard but it seems that a 3pt mounted ballast gives me what I need for stability.

Any last thoughts? Do you think it can lift more? If so, how?