Tractor Sizing How Much Can A Sub Compact Tractor lift?

[LD1]

No that pretty well covers it. Those of us that have operated for some time with heavy loads have all experienced the ability to get a heavy load up off of the ground, but often seem to run out of "power" to lift some of these heavy loads very high. You have just put to paper and pencil what we have all experienced and have learned from that experience.

Hopefully that will clear it up for those that havent experienced it yet. Since my earlier attempts didnt seem to be believable since my only reasoning was reasoning of experience and basics. Now theres hard data and proof.

 

[TJP89]

I took a picture of the lift vs height graph in my manual and figured I share.

All loaders will have a similar curve, weather or not there is one in print somewhere.

View attachment 446427

Notice that at ground level, lift at the pins is in the 1200kg range (2640lbs) Which is over double its 1100lb rating to max height.

And the 500mm forward point (bucket edge) is in the 850kg range (1870lbs), again, alot more than its 850lb rating to full height.

To a height of about 1000mm (40" truck bed height) it looks to still be good to ~650kg(1430lbs) at 500mm bucket edge and ~800kg (1720lbs) Not hard to see why I can lift a 1200# pallet with clamp on forks to load in the bed of a truck, especially with my relief set 300psi over spec. And able to lift some pretty good logs just high enough to be out of the dirt to cut.

All this on a loader only rated for 850# at the bucket edge to max height.

Loader underrated? No. Just the geometry of the design and where the ratings are taken from. The MFG ratings IMO are probably pretty close. Just understand that it is able to lift alot more at lower heights.

This image shows the difference in angles from ground level to max height.
View attachment 446426

Since the formula for cylinders on an angle is the power of the cylinder times the sine of the angle

My cylinders are 1.77" diameter and factory spec is 2347psi each cylinder can push with 5775# of force, or 11,550# for the pair.

On an 20 degree cylinder to arm angle, only 0.342 (or 32.4%) of that is used for vertical force. That gives 3950# upward push at the cylinder mounts at ground level. (Loader cant actually lift that obviously, cause factors such as the dead weight of the bucket and frame, plus the leverage effect. Bucket is pretty far out in front of the cylinder pushing points.

At max height, the angle is closer to 5 degrees. Thats 0.087 (8.7%). So that 11,550# available translates into 1006# pushing vertically.

Those of you questioning the fact that as the loader goes higher, the movement becomes less vertical and more horizontal (travelling around the arc) and "should not" cause a reduction. THIS is your answer. The lift height vs capacity curve accounts for that. Notice that on the curve the lift capacity at the pin goes from ~1200kg down to 500kg. Thats a reduction of 58%. You have 58% less capacity at the top than at the bottom of the loaders range of travel.

All that was done though, while loosing 75% of its push from the cylinders.

So...loose 75% power out of the cylinders, only loose 58% of the lift capacity.

Any questions?

This is why I am a Chemist, not a Physicist.

 

[dragoneggs]

This is why I am a Chemist, not a Physicist.

Oh I am sure you can spin us around with your babble if you wanted to.

 

[LD1]

I am not either one of those either. But I did stay at a holiday in express once.

 

[Egon]

Does sleeping in a tent count?

 

[LD1]

Was it an express tent?

 

[Egon]

Was it an express tent?

Naw; just leaky. But I have slept in in a sleeper car!

 

[drajj5]

My view on any Sub-compact tractor is....... it beats the heck out of a shovel!! Brother owns a Yanmar/Cub Cadet SC2400 which is a (pint sized tractor) or (lawn mower on Steroids'). I owned nothing at the time, and was grateful to use his for a project at the house. Itty bitty with a little bucket hanging off the front; I giggled and thought man this thing looks like a toy! 3 hours logged on the hour meter and I was sold!!

No way could I describe how much back breaking work this (toy) saved me. I am sure that it wouldn't lift 800lbs but in that bucket was a good sized, "wheel barrel load for transport". I didn't load it/lift it/unload it - manually that is!!

Within a couple of months, I was in the market for something that looked like his toy. I settled on a tractor that was just a tad bit bigger than his. The only reason I went a little bit bigger...... Sub compacts do not mix well with loading pickup truck beds with--- whatever.

Moral of the story, "anything beats a shovel/wheel barrel or 5 gallon bucket"

These "little tractors" are easy to transport, easy on the yard, and are more capable than most believe. I would suggest to anyone out there looking for a tractor whether they owned 1acre or 100acers to check them out. It might surprise you; as well.

 

[CDennyRun]

My view on any Sub-compact tractor is....... it beats the heck out of a shovel!! Brother owns a Yanmar/Cub Cadet SC2400 which is a (pint sized tractor) or (lawn mower on Steroids'). I owned nothing at the time, and was grateful to use his for a project at the house. Itty bitty with a little bucket hanging off the front; I giggled and thought man this thing looks like a toy! 3 hours logged on the hour meter and I was sold!!

No way could I describe how much back breaking work this (toy) saved me. I am sure that it wouldn't lift 800lbs but in that bucket was a good sized, "wheel barrel load for transport". I didn't load it/lift it/unload it - manually that is!!

Within a couple of months, I was in the market for something that looked like his toy. I settled on a tractor that was just a tad bit bigger than his. The only reason I went a little bit bigger...... Sub compacts do not mix well with loading pickup truck beds with--- whatever.

Moral of the story, "anything beats a shovel/wheel barrel or 5 gallon bucket"

These "little tractors" are easy to transport, easy on the yard, and are more capable than most believe. I would suggest to anyone out there looking for a tractor whether they owned 1acre or 100acers to check them out. It might surprise you; as well.

I think that there doubt that SCUTS are handy as all getout. My TZ24DA did so much work around our property, it was completely transformed. They certainly have their place! What I noticed is that I was always pushing it to it's limits, and in some cases it got kind of dangerous. I also wanted the ability to safely load things into my truck bed. Thus the reason I sold it. I came to the conclusion that I shouldn't have a machine that is always maxed out.

Anyone that says they're worthless, must mean that they're worthless for their application. Because they're definitely not worthless!

Chris

 

[TomSeller]

There is not a bad tractor size out there. One size does not fit all no different than one wrench does not fit all.