Larry, do you think that the manufacturers have a safety factor figured in, or do they list exactly what the tractor will lift? Maybe purposely have a certain weak point?Seems like everything will break at some point. I suppose that we should figure in a safety factor of our own? Or just take it real easy when we are at or close to the machines limits. My feeling is that the tractor should hold up to what ever the published ratings may be.
In your case, did the extra 14% put your tractor at or over its limits? If not, then in my view, you had a faulty part, and you are right, with the extra length, the leverage is greater and that bump exceeded the capacity and you ended up with a broken part.
Like you said convenience at what cost? Just another reason to have the factory extendable lower links.
There is a safety factor, but for this specific manufacturer I don't know what it is.
I do know that it is unlikely to be for the worst case scenario.
Example; One COULD design for the biggest possible bump that the tractor could withstand (without breaking in some other very significant way) in conjunction with the maximum weight that the 3ph could lift, in conjunction with the highest speed the tractor could reach, on and on, ,,,,, That design is very unlikely outside military applications.
Much more likely is an assumption that not ALL factors will be at their extremes at the same time, something like ONE factor at it's rated limit with all others at 70%.
and yes, almost anything you do to extend/lengthen, increase leverage, etc has a multiplying effect on the probability of failure.
