When buying a compact tractor, what is the deciding factor in the load capacity for lifting with the loader? I need to lift alot of weight with my bucket but want to minimize the size of the tractor. I assume HP would be the biggest factor but maybe not?
Load capacity
- Thread starter shawna
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Glenn9643
Veteran Member
Generally the manufacturer offers their brand of FEL designed for various lines of their product. I don't know about others but JD, NH, MF, Kub do. I would check on the capacities of the different recommended loaders (usually product literature is available) and size the tractor from that standpoint if that was my primary concern. If you prefer an aftermarket FEL such as Great Bend, Bush-Hog, etc. your dealer can assist with determining the model that you need.
Casimir
Gold Member
The more weight you need to lift in the bucket, the more ballast you will need on the back end to keep it on the ground. The ballast can be a combination of filled tires and an implement or ballast box on the 3-pt hitch. At some point, it may be possible to put so much weight on the tractor that you overstress the front axle. That is why it is best to go with the loaders designed and recommended by your manufacturer for that particular tractor. If you have to lift more than the rated capacity for that tractor/FEL combination, then you'd best step up to a larger tractor.
You might want to consider a skidsteer loader (such as a Bobcat) if loader work is your only concern.
Good luck.
You might want to consider a skidsteer loader (such as a Bobcat) if loader work is your only concern.
Good luck.
Look closely at specs... (or Not /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif), as a tool for comparison they sometimes can let you down. You'll see a post elsewhere on the board about not getting overly hung up on manufacturer spec sheets.
When I was comparing it seemed many of them used slightly different measuring points and other things that could lead you to believe one was stronger than another. I think there are several factors that come into consideration - hydraulics, structure (mounting points), ballast.
More important than any of the specs is Try Them! Look at lift heights and other factors that help make the loader a useful tool.
Good Luck with your shopping and research.
When I was comparing it seemed many of them used slightly different measuring points and other things that could lead you to believe one was stronger than another. I think there are several factors that come into consideration - hydraulics, structure (mounting points), ballast.
More important than any of the specs is Try Them! Look at lift heights and other factors that help make the loader a useful tool.
Good Luck with your shopping and research.
jmc
Elite Member
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Strictly speaking, horsepower affects how fast you can lift the load rather than how much load you can lift. But since the manufacturers match both horsepower to tractor size, and lift capacity to tractor size, there is an inadvertent link between HP and lift capacity.
rockyridgefarm
Elite Member
Talk to the Dealer about WHAT you want to lift. A 1200Lb round bale weighs more than 1200Lb's of sand. Or, at least it looks that way to the tractor, because of the additional leverage due to the size of the bale.
If the dealer cannot speak with authority about the things you want to do, find a good one who can.
Your topography can also be a factor. If you are on a flat parking lot, there is not nearly the concern as uneven, hilly land...
If the dealer cannot speak with authority about the things you want to do, find a good one who can.
Your topography can also be a factor. If you are on a flat parking lot, there is not nearly the concern as uneven, hilly land...
Henro
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Generally there are two factors related to the amount of weight you can lift. Well maybe just one...loader lift rating.
For example you are not going to lift 2,000 lbs with a loader rated at 1,000 lbs. Why? Because the pressure relief valve will kick open and the loader will stall.
Additionally, the more you want to lift, the more weight you want behind the front axle as a counter ballance. So a manufacurer would not put a loader that could lift 10,000 lbs on a small tractor. It would be unsafe. The small tractor could do the work...maybe slowly due to GPM flow of the hydraulics, but it could. No, it really could not...all that would happen would be that the rear wheels would lift off the ground...since the tractor would weigh much less than the load...
I think the rule of thumb would read something like "Heavy lifts = heavy tractor." And heavy tractor usually means more HP.
So if you want to lift really heavy things, then you will end up with a really heavy lifter. Could be a tractor, a skid stear or something else...
Hope I did not repeat too much or what everyone else said... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
For example you are not going to lift 2,000 lbs with a loader rated at 1,000 lbs. Why? Because the pressure relief valve will kick open and the loader will stall.
Additionally, the more you want to lift, the more weight you want behind the front axle as a counter ballance. So a manufacurer would not put a loader that could lift 10,000 lbs on a small tractor. It would be unsafe. The small tractor could do the work...maybe slowly due to GPM flow of the hydraulics, but it could. No, it really could not...all that would happen would be that the rear wheels would lift off the ground...since the tractor would weigh much less than the load...
I think the rule of thumb would read something like "Heavy lifts = heavy tractor." And heavy tractor usually means more HP.
So if you want to lift really heavy things, then you will end up with a really heavy lifter. Could be a tractor, a skid stear or something else...
Hope I did not repeat too much or what everyone else said... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Woodbeef
Veteran Member
Just how much weight do you expect to be lifting?
rockyridgefarm
Elite Member
OK, we're closer.
Are you on level ground or hilly?
Is the ground smooth, or are there depressions...?
Is it a dense material (gravel) or bulky (mini round bale)?
Why small (working in a barn, under trees, etc...)?
In the John Deere lineup this would put you at a 4210 minimum (the 4115 with 410 loader maxes out at 800 Lbs.) The 4310 is slightly larger with an eReversor or eHydro option. All the Deere's are 4WD as std equipment.
Are you on level ground or hilly?
Is the ground smooth, or are there depressions...?
Is it a dense material (gravel) or bulky (mini round bale)?
Why small (working in a barn, under trees, etc...)?
In the John Deere lineup this would put you at a 4210 minimum (the 4115 with 410 loader maxes out at 800 Lbs.) The 4310 is slightly larger with an eReversor or eHydro option. All the Deere's are 4WD as std equipment.