PT-1445 lifting power, early 90 model

[J_J]

I have posted in the past about my failure to lift the rated load of the 1445. I had replaced the seals in the lift cylinders, and removed the valve assembly to have it checked. It checked out ok. My last resort was to replace the lift and steering pump. On my 1445, it is a small Barnes hydraulic pump about 3.0 gpm. The new pump fixed all my problems. The old pump must have been leaking internally. Anyway, I have been lifting some large loads, probably at or above the rated load of 1200 lbs. Today, while using the forks with a ball on the end to lift a trailer, the rear end of the 1445's 3700 lbs slowly rose into the air. First time this has occured since I have had the machine. It was a strange feeling, since most every one on the forum has had the PT pucker factor. Anyway, I figured out why, the lifting point was to far out, so I used the close in ball mount and lifted the trailer with no problem.

 

[MossRoad]

Glad you have it working correctly, now.

As for the lifting point... leverage is amazing, isn't it? Get one long enough and you can lift the rear of your PT with the palm of your hand. I was loading cement patio blocks in our large bucket once. I had the bucket a couple inches off the deck of our trailer. I put in one too many blocks and the bucket came down on my foot. I took a few out and it went back up. So I pushed on it with my hand and teeter tottered it a few times. Interesting. I took half a dozen out and went about my business. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[ClintBlake]

I wonder if just sitting in the seat would have added enough weight to prevent the pt pucker without taking any additional blocks out of the bucket?

After similar experiences of my own and reading posts on this website, I have gained a lot of respect for what this little tractor can do to the human body.

 

[MossRoad]

I'm sure that adding my 200+ pounds to the seat would have tipped it up(you sure you want butter with that bacon, sir? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif). But I didn't want it falling on my toes again and was in no hurry to unload the blocks. They were those little 12" X 6" by 1.5 inch jobs and I had lots to do. I played with it a while just because it was fun. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

It gets you wondering how often we are close to the tipping point. We all talk about how much we lifted with the machine, but we are sitting about as far back from the front tires as the load is sitting in front of it. I wonder how much the machine will lift with no operator VS. a skinny guy VS. me. I think the lift capacity increases proportionally with the operator's weight. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[cqaigy]

<font color="green"> I think the lift capacity increases proportionally with the operator's weight. </font>

The PT diet is born. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[FOURTEEN]

<font color="blue"> (So I pushed on it with my hand and teeter tottered it a few times. Interesting.)

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<font color="red"> Simple pleasures, simple minds!!

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<font color="blue"> (I played with it a while just because it was fun.) </font>

<font color="red"> We have all done that from time to time!!

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[FOURTEEN]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I wonder if just sitting in the seat would have added enough weight to prevent the pt pucker without taking any additional blocks out of the bucket? )</font>


<font color="red"> Yes, but you have to be real quick to be in the seat and load the blocks at the same time!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

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