LOADERS: do we expect too much from them?

slowrev · Sep 20, 2004

Yes I think most of us expect too much from our loaders. But for the most part they are sized to the machine they are mounted on. You can't expect a loader mounted on a 2000 lb machine to pick up an equivalent weight in the bucket. And if the loader was strong enough to do that ....well can you say broken tractor.....and or injured operator.....My loader will no do everything I would like, but it is maybe a size stronger than should be on my tractor. I have 800 lbs in loaded rear tires and an extra 3/4 ton counter weight on the rear and can still lift the rear tires off the ground if I am tackling something bigger than I should. We just need to realize the limititations of our machine and if it does not fullfill our needs, get a bigger rig /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gifAlso do you have a material bucket or an excavation bucket ? Different buckets for different jobs.

sneaky_pete · Sep 20, 2004

( The way I look at it is it can lift WAY more than I can, and therefore saved me a lot of work and back-ache. I have had my loader beyond it's lift capacity moving some very WET mud and gravel, I just made 2 trips instead of one. Still beat the heck out of a shovel and wheel-barrow!!)

I'm with MicroPilot on this one. My little LA272 with a 48" bucket might be wimpy compared to a bigger one on a bigger tractor, but I'm shickled titless to have it every time I've used it, so I guess it's plenty good enough for me. I guess if I had a more powerful loader/tractor I would find things to do with it, but right now I have no complaints at all about my current setup.

Varmintmist · Sep 20, 2004

Anything that is not designed for a specific purpose is a compromise. A CUT FEL is a compromise, it is a heck of a lot better than a shovel, but it isnt as good as say a skid steer that is designed AS a loader. That said, to move a lot of loose stone, you want a articulated loader, or to root and grub out a hole or a bank, a track loader would be the machine of choice. All of them can do the job, but if you apply the skidsteer to 6 hundred ton of stone to load into trucks, its going to take some time. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The nice thing about CUTS, while they dont do everything as good as a job designed machine, is they will pretty much do everything, as long as you know their limitations. You have the option to stick a implement on it to do specific job.

Compact UTILITY Tractor. Utility is the key word. Jack of all trades.

slowzuki · Sep 20, 2004

I expect a lot out of a loader. I want to be able to fill the bucket with whatever I have to move. I want to be able to pick up that huge tree, etc.

I'm spoiled now from using TLB's and the Case/IH 2250 loader. I used to think the 2250 was weak ofter the TLB. Come to find out the 2250 has better than 4000 lb lift capacity. Going to be hard to drop even lower with a CUT.

beenthere · Sep 20, 2004

I don't expect any more than I get. Everything has its limits. I bought the size tractor that I did, and when I reach a limit, that's it. No more thoughts about it. If I want more, I will buy more as 'more' is available.

All FELs are not created equal between brands. I twice had occasion to run and test CUT's of all the big three brands and a few of the imports. The real differences showed not so much in how much the FEL would lift, but in how fast it would do the task. Of course, ballast on the rear was important. If one hasn't operated different loaders in same conditions (dirt, traction, etc.), its hard to compare. And even then, it is hard to say which one is better or which is built to take the loads (recall the recent thread about bending the front wheel rim apparently with a load in the bucket).

Jackrabbit_Slim · Sep 20, 2004

I'm not unhappy with the LA402 on my B2710, but I don't expect to hang the moon with it either. I quit farming and stepped down from a JD7810 to this tractor, (a "toy" I thought) and I've been pleasantly surprised on more than one occasion at what a little work horse it is.

I'm certainly not looking to grapple large square bales with this machine, but for the most part, I find with a little patience, I can usually finesse pretty much anything I want. A lot of what I used to accomplish with brute strength just takes a little more time (OK... sometimes a lot more time) and patience. Fortunately, as I've aged, I've got a little more of both. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Slim

Bob_Skurka · Sep 20, 2004

I expect a lot out of a loader. I want to be able to fill the bucket with whatever I have to move. I want to be able to pick up that huge tree, etc.


That reminds me of a guy at work who borrowed a pick up truck. It was a small Datsun or Toyota, back when they made those little trucks and they were just becoming popular (so I am showing my age with this story). Anyway the guy who borrowed the truck didn't take LOAD CAPCITY into account, he just filled the entire back end of that little pick up with dirt, broken concrete, bricks, etc and then proceeded to break the frame of the truck!!! His logic was that they shouldn't have put that big of a cargo box on the back of the truck if they didn't expect people to fill it. I knew both guys, and so I went to the guy who broke the truck and told him he realy should pay for the damages, he argued he didn't have to because the truck was faulty and then explained his logic to me. I asked him if the truck should hold a full bed of LEAD WEIGHT and he said no. I asked if it should hold a full bed of hay or straw and he said yes. I asked if that meant there was a maximum load limit that is reasonable. He said yes, but it should hold whatever he filled it with. Needless to say, the 2 of them are not friends anymore. And, by the way, I never lend that guy ANYTHING, not ever.

Mark4510 · Sep 20, 2004

I think Varmintmist is about right. I like my CUT for 95% of the work I have to do. If I need to push over 40' oaks or move a bunch of dirt then its not the right machine and I will either rent one or hire it done.

It does not sadden me too much to see 3 wheel barrows leaning up against the shed as I drive off in the CUT. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

OkeeDon · Sep 20, 2004

I originally went into my New Holland dealer to buy a TC33D. Not because I knew what I needed or had a clue what I was doing, but because it "looked" like the coolest size. The TC33D is a Category II machine (a mid-size frame in NH's CUT range).

When I got there, I discovered that the Category I (small frame) machines had a 12LA loader that nearly equaled the ratings of the 7308 loader on the mid-size machines. The loader was the most important factor in my purchase, so if I could get nearly the same capacity on a smaller tractor that cost less, the decision became a no-brainer. At the time, the 12LA was available on TC24D, TC21D and TC18. They all had the same size frame and the same loader; the only difference was horsepower and fancy, expensive features like swivel seats and wrap-around headlights. Never being accused of spending a penny more than needed, I bought the TC18 and have been ecstatically happy ever since.

Since the loader does pretty much the same amount of work as that on tractors 50% larger and 1/3 more expensive, obviously I'm happy with the performance of the loader.

Now that the 14LA loaders are available for the TC33DA, I might have made a different decision. The LA series of loaders (with the curved arms) are nothing short of fantastic. I suspect that the fellow who is disappointed with his 16LA is expecting a bit too much.

slowrev · Sep 20, 2004

Slowzuki,
I have a 2050 loader, so I know what you mean. I can pick up an F150 pickup less motor and tranny. Never tried one with the motor and tranny cause I am just clearing junk. The tail end is real light though /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif