lifting 900 lb. generators

[zapelectric]

Hello folks,
I'm relatively new to TBN, I have been pestering the orange folks with a few questions about the L3130. However, the dealer I talked to today is trying to steer me in a blue direction. I need to unload 900 lb. generators from a truck and place them in nice residential yards. He pointed out the NH's great visibility, ease of use (I'm a newbie) and talked about the TC35 and TC40. I have since been reading many of your threads and looking at NH specs and my question is do you think the TC33 could handle this task?
Thank you for any input.
Cindy

 

[jcollins]

It would depend on where you are trying to lift from. I.E. which area of the loader are you going to lift from. See below at the specs taken from the NH website.

http://www.newholland.com/FILES/tbl_s25SeriesText/PDFUpload290/1796/Comp_specs.pdf

Lift capacity to maximum height at bucket pivot
pin, lbs. 1,256
(V) Lift capacity to maximum height at 19.7 in.
forward of pivot pin, lbs. 878
(W) Lift capacity to 59.1 in. at bucket pivot pin,
lbs. 1,596
(X) Lift capacity to 59.1 in. at 19.7 in. forward of pivot pin, lbs. (kg) 1,183

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I use a Kubota and a New Holland but not either of the models you are looking at. What I can add is that the NH loaders, with their curved arms, and the NH tractors with their sloped and curved hoods are vastly easier to use for delicate work simply because you can see much closer to the front of the tractor. On the Kubota you can't see the ground for roughly 6' in front of the bucket lip, on the NH your visibility is about 2' in front of the lip. The NH also allows you to see the top corners of the bucket. I've not used it with pallet forks, but I would think it would also be much easier to use pallet forks if you can see them!


EDIT:
It should be pointed out that most loader capacities do not include the weight of the bucket or the the weight of the pallet forks.

 

[jinman]

Cindy, please let me add my take to the excellent advice you already have received from Jason and Bob. No matter which tractor you buy, there are several things you have to consider when handling 900 lb of cargo on the FEL. The three primary ones are:

(1) How far out on a truck/trailer will you be reaching?
(2) Will you use pallet forks to keep the load close to the loader's pivot points?
(3) What kind of surface are you going to be moving the load on?

The NH 16LA loader that fits on the TC35/40 tractors will give you quite a reach advantage over the 14LA loader that would be on a TC33. The tractor is taller and the physical dimensions of the loader make it able to reach a load without running the nose of the tractor into the side of the truck or trailer. If you undload pallets from the back of a flat-bed, you'll appreciate this advantage.

If you get a quick attach loader with pallet forks, your loader's ability to lift heavy loads is substantially increased over the kind of pallet forks that clamp onto the bucket. Those clamp-on forks are great, but if you are lifting 900 lb generators and the weight is centered out 3 feet from your loader's pivot points, you may struggle to lift the generator even with the 16LA loader. I'm sure it would likely be impossible with the 14LA. Make sure whatever tractor you buy, you get the loader configured for lifting as close to its maximum weight as possible.

Finally, once you get the generator off the truck/trailer, what are you going to do with it? If you are unloading in a paved parking lot, that's one thing, but if you are unloading and then hauling over rough ground to a jobsite you better have a tractor with enough counterweight to keep from tipping over on it's nose. Essentially, you have to be safe for both the operator and the load you'll carry. The extra size and ability of the TC35/40 will be another big advantage in this situation. I think you should also seriously consider a hydrostatic transmission too. The ability to constantly vary your speed and change directions without removing your hand from the steering wheel and loader joystick is a tremendous advantage when handling cargo. You can concentrate your attention on the load rather than operating the tractor.

So, for the job you describe, I'd certainly recommend the TC35DA or TC40DA as the tractor of choice. If the weight was only 500 - 600 lb, I'd say the TC33, but I believe you will never regret the larger tractor for handling 900 lb generators. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[MrJoe]

I'd be the first one to advocate using a tractor for everything but brushing you'r teeth, /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif but--- is this the right tool for the job? Are you going to use the tractor for anything else but unloading and placing generetors? Do you need a new machine to do that? Do you need a tractor? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Take a look at a skid steer, it might be closer to what you need. Compact, powerfull, wide choice of EZ change front end attachments. Buckets, forks, platforms etc. etc. Plenty of used ones out there, lease a new one if you want. Good Hunting.

 

[PineRidge]

Not tying to sell you a NH but I can tell you from first hand experience that the Class III Boomer that Jim mentioned is a real pleasure to work with. Ours is configured with the quick attach and we use a set of pallet forks regularly to unload semis, full of pallets loaded with merchandise in the range of 800-1500 pounds each. It will make short work out of a 45 foot container believe me. Our TC-40D is set up with wheel weights and a 3-point weight bar for stability when moving pallets, and the HST makes moving with the pallets over rough terrain a real pleasure. We actually purchased the TC-40D with the idea that it would be handling pallets on a regular basis and we are very happy with the choice that we made.

 

[zapelectric]

Thank you all so much. I really appreciate your thoughts and experiences. My eyes are crossed from looking at specs online, but it looks like I would be asking too much of the 33 and will definitely price the TC35 and TC40 with HST. Tomorrow I'm headed to the dealer to try them out (with some good information thanks to you all!) Thank you jinman for going in to such depth.

I have priced the skid steers, but too $$ - especially if you want something that won't eat a yard. Plus I'd like to TRY brushing my teeth with a tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'm sure I will return with more newbie questions. THANKS!
Cindy