Lifted 640# of salt with BX2230

KeithInSpace · Jan 4, 2007

Wondered if she was still working to full capacity after 85 hours of semi-abuse. Threw all eight 80# bags of water softener salt on the loader and played with it just to see what she would do.

No problem! Pretty amazing for an implement rated for only 500#. Not that I would do it every day...the front tires were a little flat. And I sure took it slow on any cross-slope.

Almost a full year of ownership and I'm always impressed.

milkman · Jan 4, 2007

There you go again, taunting all the non believers.

How high were you able to lift it?

KeithInSpace · Jan 4, 2007

Solid 4 feet off the ground before I figured I had proved my point. Didn't want to "pop" something (hose, seal, tire, etc.) and have a REAL mess on my hands.

ByronBob · Jan 4, 2007

I know you wanted to prove a point but this seems foolish to do. Would you be upset if you snapped a gear or something in the front axle?

MOPAULY · Jan 4, 2007

I'm sure there is a factor of safety built in for this type of thing. People are just going to do it no matter what you tell them, it's human nature. I would have expected no less then it to lift that much if not more.

Barnboy · Jan 4, 2007

What would be the difference if he was getting a load of dirt or rock. You dont know how much weight you have. You just have to rely on the pressure relief valve. I think Kubota is conservative on the lift specs and those BX Kubota tractors are a good work horse. If i had under 5 acres i would own a BX.

Ifixcars · Jan 4, 2007

How would you tell if you had too much weight in the loader if you pushed into a pile of rocks and lifted it up? I would think if you can pick it up without straining the hydraulics, the tractor's frame and axles should hold it, no? I'm not saying to deliberately over load, but I don't weigh a bucket full of crushed stone either, if I get it full and it comes up ok, great.

Barnboy · Jan 4, 2007

Ifixcars said:
How would you tell if you had too much weight in the loader if you pushed into a pile of rocks and lifted it up? I would think if you can pick it up without straining the hydraulics, the tractor's frame and axles should hold it, no? I'm not saying to deliberately over load, but I don't weigh a bucket full of crushed stone either, if I get it full and it comes up ok, great.

I think we posted at the same time.

kwolfe · Jan 4, 2007

I agree. Not to mention, I would think a tire would be the first thing to go. I think most of them are 4 ply not 6.

KeithInSpace · Jan 5, 2007

Not that I was trying to be overtly abusive, but when pulling stumps and such, I've routinely crossed the threshold of the bucket not rising when pulling the lever straight back at WOT. I guess I was wondering if my FEL was 'weak' (weaker than rated) or if I was, indeed, exerting 500# (or whatever the rating is at the front lip of the bucket) of upward pressure on whatever I was yanking on.

As it turns out, it seems that the FEL is still a bucking bronco. Hadn't even begun to consider upsetting some other element of the tractor. If the front axle and steering assembly is any indication of how everything else is built, it looks like I could park my wife's car on it and nothing break. That power steering assembly looks as nice as any car I've owned and the axle is as large a diameter as my old 4Runner and covers less than half the span.

I really think I'd pop a tire and/or bend a rim before anything else 'tragic' would happen. And I just didn't want take the chance of cleaning up or otherwise wasting that much SALT. Never was too worried about the tractor.

I, too, live by the mantra "If it's struck and lifts up, then it's good...but heaping's always better."