7308 loader questions

[Mosey]

I have some questions about the 7308 loader. According to the NH web site, it will reach up 102" and has a lift capacity of 1020lbs. Have these limits been a problem for anyone? For example, I've seen people use loaders to lift shingles up to a roof, but 102" would not reach high enough for that even on my ranch house (the lowest edge of my roof is 112" high). And 1020lbs doesn’t seem like very much, it’s not even as much as the 3pt hitch lift capacity of 1635lb on my TC29D. I can imagine it would do most of the things people need it to do, but are you generally happy or are you disappointed with this loader?

Also, where do the controls mount? Do they get in the way for getting on and off the tractor? Do they stay on or come off with the loader when you "quick disconnect" the loader?

 

[CGranat]

I have a TC33D with the 7308 and HD bucket. Last fall I used it for moving dirt and had no problem lifting heaping buckets (but I don't know what a bucket of dirt weighs). As for the height, I used it to lift shingles to a roof, about 120". It got it close and was a lot better than carrying them up a ladder. The controls mount on the right fender and stay on the tractor when the loader is removed. It does take up space and make it a little difficult to get off the tractor on that side so, I always mount it from the left (isn't that how you're supposed to mount a horse?).

 

[John_Mc]

<font color=blue>the 7308 loader. According to the NH web site, it will reach up 102" and has a lift capacity of 1020lbs</font color=blue>

The NH brochure I have says the lift capacity of the 7308 is 800#. That's the main reason I didn't go with NH on my loader. I wanted higher capacity. I wonder if they've modified the loader for 2002 model year, or if one or the other is a typo?

 

[Spencer]

The capacity at the pivot is 1020 lbs. The capacity 24" out is 776 lbs.

See the specs here
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.newholland.com/na/Products/frontend.html>http://www.newholland.com/na/Products/frontend.html</A>

If you checked out the specs you will see that the 16LA loader for the Class III Boomers (TC35,40,etc.) only goes up to 105" which is only 4.5" more.

I'm happy enough with my TC33D and 7308 loader combo. I got the skid steer type Quick Tach system along with some very heavy duty 48" Quick Tach pallet forks.

I would be happier with a TC40D and a 16LA loader but hey you have to draw the line somewhere. I only have 6 acres and I should consider myself lucky that I got such a fine piece of machinery.

You will probably be able to find a manufacturer that will make a loader to fit your NH. It probably will even have a higher lift capacity.

If I was going to buy a used NH tractor I would buy the one with a NH loader on it before I would buy one with a different brand loader.

Keep in mind not all manufacturers are up front with their specs. I applaud NH for stating 800 lb capacity in their brochures. Most others would post the highest possible capacity instead of the more realistic 24" figure.

If you are worried about a roof project just keep in mind that you don't have to grab the bundle of shingles at the bottom of the pile (for awhile). If you lift a whole pile of them up there with your loader or some pallet forks, the top of the pile will be above your roofline.

Spence

 

[Mike H]

I too have a TC 33D w/ 7308 and 68"HD bucket. I have not run into anything I wanted to do that it didn't handle. I have used the bucket full of sand, gravel, 6-18" dia rocks, cinder blocks, dirt and never had a problem. I've lifted shingles to roofs - sometimes it makes the eave, sometimes it still requires a little lifting. I never needed to figure out the weight I was messing with because it just handled it.

I don't get on and off the tractor on the right side because the joystick blocks much of the passageway. Just a habbit I formed.

 

[Spencer]

Hey Mike, I'm in Muskegon where are you in SW Michigan?

Spence

 

[MikePA]

<font color=blue>(isn't that how you're supposed to mount a horse?).</font color=blue>

Yep.

 

[MODiesel]

Howdy!

The 7308 seems to suffer from some odd specs as they appear in the NH books. I, too, was worried about the lift capacity of the 7308 vs. the Great Bend loaders. However, my dealer pointed out something interesting: the 7308 is spec'ed quite a bit higher when attached to the 1700 or 1900 series tractors, so he wisely concluded that the loader itself isn't the limiting factor. In fact, he really didn't know why it's rated lower on the TC series as, in his mind, the loader mount is of a better, wider design on the TC vs. the 17/1900 series. In his experience, he said they had never seen a case where the 7308 was inadequate when hooked onto a Boomer, and in most cases, folks were lifting the tractor tail before the loader would quit lifting.

My experience bears this out. After getting my bucket completely full with some wet, heavy mud, and watching the loader still, slowly, lift her up, I was sold on the unit. I can't think that I would need anything more capable for my lil' 29D, and the 7308 integrates with the tractor much better than the Great Bend units.

Best Regards,
Jay

 

[Mike H]

I'm near Delton. Roughly equidistant from Kzo, BC, and Hastings. Got my TC 2 yrs ago from Maple Valley Equipment in Nashville.

 

[RickB]

The loader's relief valve is located in the loader valve itself, and in all cases, is set lower than the main system relief, located in the diverter valve. The 20 series tractors use a different valve, with a higher relief setting than the class II Boomers