Max28 Improvements ?

[Scrambler82]

Hello to all,

I have owned this Max28 for approximately 4 years, 250 hours, it is OK and does what I need, but it is lacking in FEL Lift and an over all power.

I am mechanically inclined but getting older, and not up on Tractor, Hydraulic, and Diesel mods and could use a lot of help in determining what I need to do to mod the tractor for additional power and FEL Lift.

I have been thinking on a new Tractor something in the 40HP range, a little heavier, and more FEL Lift but I have held off because of the dollars involved. Retirement is great but you need to evaluate what you spend your money on a little more than when you worked all day.

So my idea is, does anyone know what to do to get a little extra power and FEL Lift from this Max28, don't be afraid to add detail if you know them, I am getting a little slower than when I was in my 60s.

Thanks for reading, thank for any help you chose to share !

 

[jeff9366]

Does anyone know how to get a little extra power and FEL Lift from this Max28?

I have to rain on your parade.

VIDEO: So you want to TRADE UP for a new Tractor? - TMT - YouTube


To significantly increase FEL lift you need four (three?) larger hydraulic cylinders. Without increasing hydraulic flow via new, higher flow hydraulic pump, FEL movement will slow significantly. With larger cylinders installed, strain on existing FEL frame will increase beyond design parameters.

The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers. Heavier tractor weight is more important for most tractor applications than increased tractor horsepower. Bare tractor weight is a tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used. Within subcompact and compact tractor categories, a significant tractor capability increase requires a bare tractor weight increase of 50%. It takes a 100% increase in bare tractor weight to elicit MY-OH-MY!

Max 28 is a tad over 1,800 pounds, bare tractor. You need a tractor with a bare weight of 2,700 pounds to 3,600 pounds. Consider Mahindra 2538.



Five reasons owner/operators trade up from Subcompact Tractors:
More tractor weight.
More FEL lift capacity.
More ground clearance.
Three-range (3) HST (Lower LOW, Higher, HIGH) ~~ rather than two-range (2) HST.
Larger wheels and tires yield more tractive power pulling ground contact implements and logs, pushing a loader bucket into dirt and pushing snow. Larger wheels and tires permit heavier tractors to bridge holes, ruts and tree debris with less operator perturbation.

 

[RNeumann]

A guy on here has done a curl cylinder swap and has posted his specs and results. Others have followed suit. Several folks have bumped the hydraulic pressure a few hundred psi to get more out of the FEL. ThE Kubota BX series has a cult following and someone (I assume BX Expanded) has a kit to bump the pressure. Bumping the psi 200 would be about 10% more pressure.
All of these items are, of course, at your own risk..::::

 

[s219]

I've used a neighbor's Max 28 and my opinion is that the tractor size is already borderline for the rated loader capacity. It's a strong loader for its size, but the tractor frame is small and you're limited on footprint, stability, and ballast. I'd look for a larger tractor rather than try to make the Max into one.

 

[RNeumann]

Weak Loader Curl Possible Solution For the Max28
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=353387

 

[Scrambler82]

Thanks for the comments, interesting to add things to think about before proceeding.

I've considered the two factors I have been wanting to increase in this Tractor, the weight and the lift capacity.

When looking for a new or used tractor, most tractors that have both of the factors I want, are wider than I wanted to content with and the cost jumps quickly.

My Tractor really does what I need, I would just wanted to feel that there was a little more to work with IF I needed it !

I have heard of some help in the lift department, it includes new Cylinders from a model up tractor, something to think on.

The weight might be a moot-point..., I associate it to the lift capacity and if I can't/don't increase that then there is really no reason to increase the weight of the tractor.

Another reason I don't want to get rid of this tractor is the width, I am interested in a tractor under 60 inches, 58 would work; this size tractor958.6" wide) fits in between things a larger tractor won't.

As pointed out, there is more to consider when you you think you can modify a tractor, without consequences.

My first step is to look up that posting about the Max28 about Loader Curl, and then determine if it will pickup a load safely.

Again, Thanks for the advice ! :drink::drink::drink:

Ltr

 

[Molalla1]

Scrambler . . . My smallest tractor is a 2011 Mahindra 3016 . . . which I think yours is a scaled down model of such. My front loader picks up over 1600 pounds, and that can be a bit sketchy at times . . . If you are maxing out your lift capacity . . . you need to use one of your bigger tractors or get a bigger tractor .

 

[Scrambler82]

Scrambler . . . My smallest tractor is a 2011 Mahindra 3016 . . . which I think yours is a scaled down model of such. My front loader picks up over 1600 pounds, and that can be a bit sketchy at times . . . If you are maxing out your lift capacity . . . you need to use one of your bigger tractors or get a bigger tractor .

Thx, I get it... DON'T OVERLOAD !

It isn't that I am going to increase the bucket volume or keep pricing on a rock with one or both rear tires in the air, but I just want the tractor to do what it does... easier on itself !

My overall goal... :cool2: is to make the tractor operate easier, more free, not to overload the tractor.

Again, I am thanking all for their comments !

Ltr

 

[RNeumann]

Have you added ballast to the tires? What do you have on the 3 point? Both can add a good amount of weight.

Don’t overlook checking and adjusting hydraulic pressure. That’s an easy one that can cost little to no money.

Also check out the BX Expanded website. My buddy has several of their mods on his Kubota. Some of those ideas may work for your machine.

 

[Molalla1]

Have you added ballast to the tires? What do you have on the 3 point? Both can add a good amount of weight.

Don’t overlook checking and adjusting hydraulic pressure. That’s an easy one that can cost little to no money.

Also check out the BX Expanded website. My buddy has several of their mods on his Kubota. Some of those ideas may work for your machine.

Good question RN . . . I know for a fact (and I always have rear ballast) that the little Mahindra can pick up a lot more than what it is rated for . . . but one MUST be very careful . . . or go get one's bigger tractor.