MX5400 breakout/lift strength?

[Jason280]

I have a new MX5400 with the standard loader/bucket (LA1065) and 3rd function valve with a grapple. I put about an hour on the tractor a couple of days ago moving crusher run to spread around a new barn, and I've been a little underwhelmed with the lift/"breakout" strength (if that's the correct term) of the loader when scooping crusher run out of a pile of rock. This tractor replaced an '07 L4330, and the 5400 feels like it doesn't have the lift strength of the older 4330. Specifically, when trying to scoop up gravel, it basically wouldn't do anything until you took some of the pressure off the bucket (either backing up, dumping, etc). I can't bury the bucket in a pile of crusher run, and expect to roll the bucket up or lift it. I never had this issue with the 4330, especially not to this extent. My other tractors are an L48 backhoe and 7060, and while I know you can't compare it with the 7060, it doesn't seem to have the "scoop" power of the L48 either.

Specs show this tractor to have a higher lift rating than the older 4330, and I haven't tried lifting anything with a set of pallet forks...but I have been less than impressed with the loader so far. It almost seems like the hydraulic pressure itself is too low....I may need to check and confirm that the hydraulic fluid isn't low.

I guess I just expected this tractor & loader to be noticeably stronger than the L4330, but so far that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[jeff9366]

How much rear tire/wheel ballast is installed on your new MX vs. old L4330?

How much Three Point Hitch counterbalance are you carrying when do gravel work?

These two weights, especially the TPH counterbalance, make a big difference in what the Loader can lift.

Kubota LA1065 Loader on MX
Height (to pin):	111.2 inches 282 cm
Clearance, dumped bucket:	85.5 inches 217 cm
Dump reach:	26.1 inches 66 cm
Dump angle:	46°
Reach at ground:	78.1 inches 198 cm
Rollback angle:	42°
Breakout force (at 500mm):	3102 lbs 1407 kg
Lift to full height (at pin):	2275 lbs 1031 kg
Lift to full height (at 500mm):	1691 lbs 767 kg
Bucket width:	72 inches 182 cm

Kubota LA853 Loader on L4330
Height (to pin):	113.6 inches 288 cm
Clearance, dumped bucket:	89.8 inches 228 cm
Dump reach:	20.1 inches 51 cm
Dump angle:	45°
Rollback angle:	40°
Breakout force (lift):	3,125 lbs 1417 kg
Lift to full height (at pin):	2,374 lbs 1076 kg
Lift to full height (at 500mm):	1,764 lbs 800 kg
Bucket capacity:	0.5 cu yd 0.4 cu m
Bucket width:	72 inches 182 cm

 

[Jason280]

It doesn't seem to be a ballast issue, as its not trying to move or lift the rear. Granted, I need to check and see how much weight is in the rear tires, but I can't tell you how many tons of crusher run and #57 I have moved with the 4330 (using the exact same box blade on the rear).

 

[Fladogman]

Are you keeping your rpms up? If so there might be a problem with the pump. I do believe the bucket is larger on the MX but still it should lift a full load of dirt. How does the weight of the rocks you're lifting compare to the weight of dirt?

 

[TMGT]

Crusher run can be pretty heavy, especially if wet due to all the fines. The first thing to do if the hydraulic performance seems to be down would be to check the system pressure and make sure it is within spec.

Also what was the capacity of the bucket on the L4330 compared to the MX?

Sent from my SM-G715U1 using TractorByNet mobile app

 

[Jason280]

RPMs are up, and the bucket is actually the same one I've used on the 4330. The 5400 came with the same size bucket as the 4330, except I'm actually using the bucket off the 7060....which I've also used extensively on the 4330.

I need to get some more seat time on the 5400, I just expected a little more....but looking at the chart posted above, looks like the loader assemblies are rated very close to one another.

 

[jyoutz]

I have a new MX5400 with the standard loader/bucket (LA1065) and 3rd function valve with a grapple. I put about an hour on the tractor a couple of days ago moving crusher run to spread around a new barn, and I've been a little underwhelmed with the lift/"breakout" strength (if that's the correct term) of the loader when scooping crusher run out of a pile of rock. This tractor replaced an '07 L4330, and the 5400 feels like it doesn't have the lift strength of the older 4330. Specifically, when trying to scoop up gravel, it basically wouldn't do anything until you took some of the pressure off the bucket (either backing up, dumping, etc). I can't bury the bucket in a pile of crusher run, and expect to roll the bucket up or lift it. I never had this issue with the 4330, especially not to this extent. My other tractors are an L48 backhoe and 7060, and while I know you can't compare it with the 7060, it doesn't seem to have the "scoop" power of the L48 either.

Specs show this tractor to have a higher lift rating than the older 4330, and I haven't tried lifting anything with a set of pallet forks...but I have been less than impressed with the loader so far. It almost seems like the hydraulic pressure itself is too low....I may need to check and confirm that the hydraulic fluid isn't low.

I guess I just expected this tractor & loader to be noticeably stronger than the L4330, but so far that doesn't seem to be the case.

I don’t have that issue with my MX6000. The loader is very strong with no hesitation on the curl and lift with full loads of dirt/gravel. You need to talk with your dealer service shop. The 1065 loader is the same on both the 5400 and 6000, and the hydraulic flow rate is also the same.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

I have a new MX5400 with the standard loader/bucket (LA1065) and 3rd function valve with a grapple. I put about an hour on the tractor a couple of days ago moving crusher run to spread around a new barn, and I've been a little underwhelmed with the lift/"breakout" strength (if that's the correct term) of the loader when scooping crusher run out of a pile of rock. This tractor replaced an '07 L4330, and the 5400 feels like it doesn't have the lift strength of the older 4330. Specifically, when trying to scoop up gravel, it basically wouldn't do anything until you took some of the pressure off the bucket (either backing up, dumping, etc). I can't bury the bucket in a pile of crusher run, and expect to roll the bucket up or lift it. I never had this issue with the 4330, especially not to this extent. My other tractors are an L48 backhoe and 7060, and while I know you can't compare it with the 7060, it doesn't seem to have the "scoop" power of the L48 either.

Specs show this tractor to have a higher lift rating than the older 4330, and I haven't tried lifting anything with a set of pallet forks...but I have been less than impressed with the loader so far. It almost seems like the hydraulic pressure itself is too low....I may need to check and confirm that the hydraulic fluid isn't low.

I guess I just expected this tractor & loader to be noticeably stronger than the L4330, but so far that doesn't seem to be the case.

I just got the New Holland and I seem to be getting the same experience although I've only put about 5 hours on it mostly moving snow. The two loaders are near equal according to TractorData.com (breakout 3191NH and 3102K and lift 1849NH and 1691K) so I am wondering they are being detuned a little to keep the corporate lawyers happy. My old 1715 isn't in the same league, but it would lift or curl just about anything I sank a bucket into.

 

[sd455dan]

It doesn't seem to be a ballast issue, as its not trying to move or lift the rear. Granted, I need to check and see how much weight is in the rear tires, but I can't tell you how many tons of crusher run and #57 I have moved with the 4330 (using the exact same box blade on the rear).

Maybe time to plumb in a gauge on the FEL and see where the relief is actually at and if the pressure is low, bump it back to the factory spec-ed setting,
Or better yet have the dealer do it if new.

 

[newbury]

Look up under spec'd loaders on this forum.
Within the last 15 years there have been at least a half dozen threads about Kubota dealers deliberately setting the pressure low.
It's very possible the dealer did it.