Increase 3pt lift capacity

[JaceCrane]

I have only owned compact tractors and have never had a reason to lift much with the 3pt system.
I might be getting into a business where a much bigger tractor is needed for 3pt weight capacity.
In my initial comparisons of brands and models I have noticed that a certain horsepower tractor category has a wide range of 3 point lift capacity’s. So here comes my question.

Can a larger gpm hydraulic pump be installed on a smaller tractor to give a large increase in lift capacity? Proposing putting a 40ish gpm pump on a 50-75 hp tractor.

Either way I believe I am headed into a new tractor, just trying to look at all my options. Thanks for your assistance and expertise.

 

[Agvg]

It's the pressure that creates lift, not volum.

 

[RNeumann]

As stated it’s pressure, not volume. In general the pumps can’t be changed for bigger ones. The spec differences probably has almost everything to do with where the manufacturers are lifting from on the arms.

If you are going into business that has a repeated task you don’t want a machine that will barely do that task. Unfortunately, for your wallet, it sounds like you are looking at a class of machine that is too small.

 

[jeff9366]

Hydraulic pump VOLUME determines potential work. Circuit RESTRICTIONS determine pressure.

 

[Tx Jim]

It's possible to raise 3 pt lift capacity by increasing relief valve opening pressure BUT IMHO manufactures set relief pressure for a reason

 

[ruffdog]

The size of the cylinder on the 3pt, available pressure from the pump, relief valve setting, geometry of 3pt linkage, and restrictions/leaks in the system play a role in how much it can lift.

 

[mikester]

I have only owned compact tractors and have never had a reason to lift much with the 3pt system.
I might be getting into a business where a much bigger tractor is needed for 3pt weight capacity.
In my initial comparisons of brands and models I have noticed that a certain horsepower tractor category has a wide range of 3 point lift capacity’s. So here comes my question.

Can a larger gpm hydraulic pump be installed on a smaller tractor to give a large increase in lift capacity? Proposing putting a 40ish gpm pump on a 50-75 hp tractor.

Either way I believe I am headed into a new tractor, just trying to look at all my options. Thanks for your assistance and expertise.

Not worth the effort, time or cost of trying to retrofit your tractor. Get a bigger tractor designed to handle your loads. Less aggravation and time lost repairing broken stuff.

 

[fried1765]

It's the pressure that creates lift, not volum.

I don't think so!
A 3" dia. cyl at 3000 psi can theoretically lift 21,000 lbs.
A 2" dia. cyl.at the same 3000 psi. can only lift 9,400 lbs.
The 3" cylinder with the same stroke length has 2.2 times the volume, at the SAME 3000 psi pressure.
Bigger diameter cylinders (more volume) lift heavier stuff,...... at the same pressure!

 

[ruffdog]

I don't think so!
A 3" dia. cyl at 3000 psi can theoretically lift 21,000 lbs.
A 2" dia. cyl.at the same 3000 psi. can only lift 9,400 lbs.
The 3" cylinder with the same stroke length has 2.2 times the volume, at the SAME 3000 psi pressure.
Bigger diameter cylinders (more volume) lift heavier stuff,...... at the same pressure!

The OP was talking about raising the pump volume (GPM) which would not in itself lift more weight. It is system (pump) pressure PSI x cylinder bore.

 

[ovrszd]

Hydraulic pump VOLUME determines potential work. Circuit RESTRICTIONS determine pressure.

Well stated Jeff. And often misunderstood.

 

[Fallon]

The OEM limits are there for a reason. Either technical limitations of cylinder size. Or more likely to avoid other weak points. If you increase pressure or cylinder size you'll get more lift capacity. Which is more likely to break other things like transmission castings, lift arms, etc. If you are buying a machine, get one designed & rated to do what you need, not planning on nodding it from the get go. Modding is fine, but you need to do it right, especially for a work machine. If you dont understand its pressure not flow that determines actuating force you probably shouldn't be modding a work machine yet.

 

[JaceCrane]

Thank you all. I have just noticed in my looking around that some machines have different lift capacities on the same machines because of different pumps. Drastic differences, 3-4,000# in lift.

 

[jmc]

Thank you all. I have just noticed in my looking around that some machines have different lift capacities on the same machines because of different pumps. Drastic differences, 3-4,000# in lift.

Could those different values be specs at different distances behind the 3 point?

Someone on here ripped the toplink attachment point from the cast housing by overloading the 3 point hitch. A real mess.

 

[Tx Jim]

The size of the cylinder on the 3pt, available pressure from the pump, relief valve setting, geometry of 3pt linkage, and restrictions/leaks in the system play a role in how much it can lift.

If cylinder that raises 3 pt is internal not external it will be very difficult to increase cylinder diameter without spending a lot of $$$$$$$$$

 

[RickB]

Thank you all. I have just noticed in my looking around that some machines have different lift capacities on the same machines because of different pumps. Drastic differences, 3-4,000# in lift.

They may have different pumps. They may have different lift capacities. But they don’t have 3-4k# more lift capacity because of a different pump. There are other variables.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Thank you all. I have just noticed in my looking around that some machines have different lift capacities on the same machines because of different pumps. Drastic differences, 3-4,000# in lift.

define "same machines"

These guys are giving you good info, just increasing the pump size and nothing else, will give you more lifting "speed" but NOT more lift "capacity"...

SR

 

[Gee Ray]

My question would be what are you trying to move or lift and under what conditions do you need to lift it? For example are you looking to pick up round bales or something along those lines? There are bale movers that a compact tractor could be used and save you hundreds of dollars over a new or bigger tractor.

 

[bcp]

I don't think so!
A 3" dia. cyl at 3000 psi can theoretically lift 21,000 lbs.
A 2" dia. cyl.at the same 3000 psi. can only lift 9,400 lbs.
The 3" cylinder with the same stroke length has 2.2 times the volume, at the SAME 3000 psi pressure.
Bigger diameter cylinders (more volume) lift heavier stuff,...... at the same pressure!

But a 3" diameter short cylinder may have less volume than a 2" diameter long cylinder. It is the area of the piston that matters, not the cylinder volume.

Bruce

 

[4570Man]

I don't think so!
A 3" dia. cyl at 3000 psi can theoretically lift 21,000 lbs.
A 2" dia. cyl.at the same 3000 psi. can only lift 9,400 lbs.
The 3" cylinder with the same stroke length has 2.2 times the volume, at the SAME 3000 psi pressure.
Bigger diameter cylinders (more volume) lift heavier stuff,...... at the same pressure!

It’s the pressure of the pump times the area of the cylinder bore. A bigger cylinder has more area. But there’s more to it than that. The design of the arms makes a big difference. A bigger volume of fluid produced by a by the pump makes no difference in lift.

 

[allen.car64]

New here. I'll try and make it short. O have kind of same question as poster BUT will be specific with situation and WHY.
Looking at KIOTI CK4020SEH with lift capacity of 1631lbs. the impliment I need to lift is 1388lbs on a regular. Meaning, impliment is a Verti Drain aerator. Will run/operate for 20-50ft then lift, turn around and drop and run again. 100 times a day.
The limits are to close for my liking. I DO LIKE THE OVERALL SIZE AND WIDTH (very important) of the tractor. I know I can go up a size for tractor, but I want to make sure that is the ONLY way to make this work. After reading around I think you guys are awesome and would know my options.
Many huge thanks in advance.

A