Loader XR4150HC Loader Curl Issue

[alexsbuddy]

Glad that you all fared okay. Will continue to keep those less fortunate in my thoughts and prayers. Let us know what you find out about the curl issue after you check it out.

 

[abco]

First, thanks to everyone who posts often, I learned a lot here. I will try and do the same in the future. I bought a new LS XR 4150HC and it was deliver Saturday 10/14/2017. I have noticed some loader issues with it. I have round bales which I had made light so my old Ford 3000 could move them. The guy who baled them estimated them at about 800 pounds. I had to move them this weekend (about 25 of them) and noticed the lifting ability of my new FEL was good at ground level but it was challenging to move the bales on the second level. Apparently the FEL lift capacity at near full extension is CONSIDERABLY less than at ground level. Again, the bales weight less than 1000 pounds and although I did get them moved it was far more challenging than expected. Of specific note was the inability of the tractor to roll the bales either at extension or at ground level. Sometimes, if I kept at, it I could get them to roll and other times I could not. The old Ford would curl them at the second level but of course I had trouble with spinning rear wheels even with a 600 pound counter-balance. Does this sound right to those of you with more experience than me. It is still a huge upgrade from my ford and in the few short days I have had it, I have loved it. I am lucky it has a full cab as I was piling some manure and hit a bees nest, they were mad but they couldn't get to me!

 

[LD1]

To answer weather it sounds right....it depends.

Too many variables.

To start with....your 800-1000# per bale is just a wild guess.

Second....are you using a clamp on bale spear or a quick attach where you remove the bucket.

If a quick attach....sounds like either your pressure setting is low, or you have grossly underestimated the bales.

If a clamp on bale spear....for starters, throw it away and get a quick attach one. Clamp on moves the whole load about 2' further forward, and due to the geometry, it effects the curl at a faster rate the further forward the load is. Which would explain why it wouldn't curl. And lifting that much, that far forward, including all the dead weight of the bucket itself.....again....get a QA spear.

What loader was on your old Ford. Old Ford loaders we're quite strong. And tough heavy tractors.

 

[abco]

Yep you hit it right on the head, clamp on bale spear, your assessment makes sense., I'll have to start saving some money. I'll only have to move a few bales a month this winter but maybe by next hay season I will have a real bale spear.

The old Ford has a Koyker 210 on it and it is a beast for the ford. It has a bigger bucker and all (although not as wide as the tractor which made snow removal a pain.

 

[jdom84]

Maybe I'm wrong... but even with a clamp on spear I would think with a loader lift capacity of 2,713 lbs could lift a "1000" lbs bale. Check the hydro pressure or call the dealer and see what they think, maybe they will come out and check it for you :thumbsup:

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Yep you hit it right on the head, clamp on bale spear, your assessment makes sense., I'll have to start saving some money. I'll only have to move a few bales a month this winter but maybe by next hay season I will have a real bale spear.

The old Ford has a Koyker 210 on it and it is a beast for the ford. It has a bigger bucker and all (although not as wide as the tractor which made snow removal a pain.

They aren't all that expensive. Just in case you did not know.

Hay Spear Attachments - Quick Tach Attachments - Tractor Attachments

 

[LD1]

Maybe I'm wrong... but even with a clamp on spear I would think with a loader lift capacity of 2,713 lbs could lift a "1000" lbs bale. Check the hydro pressure or call the dealer and see what they think, maybe they will come out and check it for you :thumbsup:

I assume that's lift capacity at the pins. The bucket edge is a few feet forward of that. And the center of a round bale another 2-3 feet beyond that. So 5' forward of the pins is a big deduction on capacity. Ditch the 300# dead weight of the bucket and get the bale 2' closer and it will seem like a new machine

 

[abco]

I talked to the dealer and he thinks the pressure is set right but would have to test it to be sure. He said he would go out to one of the other tractors he has and see if the down pressure will lift the tractor (mine will not without rolling the bucket) If they do, it could be a sign something's wrong with mine. He's a small outfit, 6-8 LS tractors and a few used ones. Nice guy but not a big dealership with a lot of expertise.

 

[LD1]

Alot of tractors won't lift the front without rolling the bucket. You run out of cylinder travel so that's not an indication of "it won't".

Try dumping the bucket first. Now lower to the ground and see if it will lift the front

 

[abco]

That was it, out of cylinder, I hadn't even looked. My old Ford would lift the tractor over a foot off the ground. Different loader set up. thanks again, when I get the QA bale spear I'll let you know how much difference it made.

 

[LD1]

That was it, out of cylinder, I hadn't even looked. My old Ford would lift the tractor over a foot off the ground. Different loader set up. thanks again, when I get the QA bale spear I'll let you know how much difference it made.

Looking forward to the report on how it works.

 

[abco]

Moved a couple bales today still using the bucket attach bale spear. Really didn’t have any trouble. Still couldn’t curl the one on the second row but I poked it low and was able to lift it enough to get it off the pile. Set it on the ground and could curl enough and lift all I needed to. When I get a chance (and the money) to buy a QA bale spear I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

[abco]

Finally bought a titan quick attack bale spear. Had to move a bale the other day and it sure seems to work better with the quick attach than it did the bucket mounted bale spear. I guess I'll know for sure this summer when I have to move and stack a number of bales. Seems much better for now though. Although I have yet to reach the top of a stack to try it at full extension.