Buying advice for small but powerful loader

[MapleKing]

I'm new to the forum and I thought this would be the best place to ask experienced tractor owners what model they would consider for the tasks I have. I know typically pallet moving would be done by a forklift but I can't use one due to terrain and besides, a tractor is more versatile!

I currently don't own a tractor but I have a need for something to move 1600lb pallets into the back of my pickup and/or a trailer about once a week. I also would like to get a front mounted snowblower so I'm thinking that a tractor would be my best bet. I'm a maple syrup producer and I will be packing containers into cases in my sugarhouse and once I have a full pallet, I need to move it to the back of my truck or a trailer. The pallets will weigh about 1600lbs. Ideally I'd like the smallest tractor that can do that job and I'm looking for a loader that would have pallet forks and not forks attached to a bucket.

Any thoughts on the smallest tractor that could move 1600lb pallets? I'm not loyal to any brand and am willing to use whatever machine is the best for the job.

Thanks!

Dave

 

[4570Man]

You’re looking at a pretty good size tractor do do that. I’d say a big framed 40 hp would be the absolute minimum.

 

[aczlan]

Have you thought about using a skid steer? If all you're using it for is snow clearing and moving pallets, a skid-steer would probably be more effective than a tractor. On a tractor to pick up that much weight, you'll need to be around 40 horsepower.

Aaron Z

 

[bcp]

Look at field/ag forklifts, not warehouse forklifts.

Here's one:
ITEM: Clark 4000lbs Capacity Gasoline Field Forklift

More photos:
forklift field - Google Search

Bruce

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I second skid steer, I love tractors but seems a skid steer would serve you better.

If FEL work is all you plan todo, you can buy a much more capable skid steer for what you would wrap up in a tractor. Would be more stable also vs having to add ballast on a tractor. Metal ballast is around $1 per pound, liquid ballast is cheaper.

Buy one you can get parts for, doesn’t matter as much about brand as it does parts availability, they all will eventually break down.

 

[jeff9366]

Good advice from experienced contributors. All tractor alternatives suggested have REAR ENGINES and four equal size wheels.

You can use a FRONT ENGINE tractor for loading pallets but not only do you need a 4,500 - 5,500 pound bare weight tractor, you need considerable Loader counterbalance on the Three Point Hitch to make FEL lifts safely. Loader + tractor + implement counterbalance makes a long combination which may limit warehouse access.

Lifting and transporting heavy loads with a tractor-loader is a primary cause of tractor rollovers. Jarred maple syrup likely fragile if the tractor shifts abruptly.

Small front wheels and large rear wheels provide tractor pulling power but make tractors inherently unstable.

I'm looking for a loader with direct attach pallet forks, not forks which attach to a bucket.

The nomenclature for direct attach FEL forks is SKID STEER QUICK ATTACH (SSQA) pallet forks, an industry standard for tractors and skid steers.



KUBOTA 'MX' LINK: https://www.kubotausa.com/docs/default-source/brochure-sheets/mx5800.pdf?sfvrsn=1c71be0c_4

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN. :thumbsup:

You could get a 3pt forklift attachment for a tractor.

Here's two, one has a 1300kg capacity, about 2800#.
3 Point Hitch Forklift,Tractor Forklift,Hydraulic Fork Lift Attachment

There's a bunch of youtube videos on 3pt forklifts.
Hyster Tractor Rear Mounted Forklift - YouTube

A friend of mine scrapped out an old electric forklift at my old employer for free. He took the mast that had a 4000# capacity and made it into a 3pt forklift for his Ford 4000 tractor. Works great and has a 20' lift! Which is nuts! :laughing: Could tip you backwards in a heartbeat at that height if not careful.

The beauty of a 3pt mast is that you could put shoes on it to act as wheelie bars to help stabilize.

Another alternative is a wheeled, articulated loader, like a Kubota R series. Many orchards, nurseries, landscapers, etc... have those types of machines around the warehouse areas.

And, of course, my favorite brand, a PowerTrac in the T24 class, PT1460. Has a 2400# lift capacity.
T24 Class

Over 30 attachments.
http://power-trac.com/index_htm_files/tractordieselT24price081017.pdf

And their quick attach feature is pretty much amazing. Change an implement in 15 seconds without getting off the machine!

But I'm biased to that brand for some reason....

 

[Piston]

I would look into Kubota's dedicated TLB line. These 'tractors' are considerably beefed up versions of their more 'ag' oriented counterparts. They are meant to be commercial machines, vs. our more homeowner/hobby farmer tractors. These will lift much more due to their dedicated (non removable) loaders and heavier frames. https://www.kubotausa.com/products/tractors/tractor-loader-backhoe

I don't think a skid steer is a bad idea either, very capable machines, but since you asked specifically about tractors, I think the loader lift capacity of the TLB would suffice. They are very spend however!

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

My 'vote' is also for a skid steer. Your voiced needs of heavy lift/fork-work and snow-blowing can both be accomplished by this type of vehicle. There are many manufacturers of this "Bobcat" type rig.

Enjoy the site.

 

[9973720wb19]

skid steer

 

[oosik]

There are plenty of GOOD recommendations here. Let me suggest that whatever you choose - have the unit brought out to your operation and try it out - as a condition of final purchase. Operating any vehicle with a heavy and shifting load - variable terrain - and an unsteady vehicle - not a good thing.

There was a time I had to move a tank full of water - 750 gallons - from a loading dock to the back of a truck. This was done three or four times daily. The water tank was unbaffeled and the water would slosh around quite vigorously. It was a nightmare - the forklift was designed "for concrete only" and suffered mightily in this out-of-doors operation.

 

[LouNY]

A small articulated loader will be more capable then a tractor and smoother and easier then a skidsteer.
skidsteer's are nice machines BUT they are extremely rough on the turning surfaces, gouging and digging them up as well as
somewhat jerky in fine positioning.
There are several quick attach systems out for front end loaders from the SSQA that most readers are familiar with then stepping up to
the Global style also the JD quick attach which is similar to the Global, and various other systems used by manufactures for their larger loaders.
The SSQA is the most common on smaller equipment but not necessarily the best or nicest, I much prefer the Global it is easier to attach and a
bit more secure.

 

[newbury]

I'm new to the forum and I thought this would be the best place to ask experienced tractor owners what model they would consider for the tasks I have. I know typically pallet moving would be done by a forklift but I can't use one due to terrain and besides, a tractor is more versatile!

I currently don't own a tractor but I have a need for something to move 1600lb pallets into the back of my pickup and/or a trailer about once a week. I also would like to get a front mounted snowblower so I'm thinking that a tractor would be my best bet. I'm a maple syrup producer and I will be packing containers into cases in my sugarhouse and once I have a full pallet, I need to move it to the back of my truck or a trailer. The pallets will weigh about 1600lbs. Ideally I'd like the smallest tractor that can do that job and I'm looking for a loader that would have pallet forks and not forks attached to a bucket.

Any thoughts on the smallest tractor that could move 1600lb pallets? I'm not loyal to any brand and am willing to use whatever machine is the best for the job.

Thanks!

Dave

Welcome aboard the board MapleKing!
/edit
You remind me of myself a decade ago when I came to TBN looking for a skid steer because I thought that was what I needed.

Think of ALL the heavy moving and other projects you may need to do and how it's done or could be done.

If you go with a tractor you could do a lot of other things, such as plowing, hauling trees through the woods, etc. A "tractor" is basically an engine on wheels. A Skidsteer is a specialized tractor.

Since you mention 1600lbs, rough terrain. pickup, once a week it reads like you have a need to move about 200 gallons of liquid in an IBC tote.

How often does this happen?

For example if this is a weekly thing year around you would be doing it 52 times a year. A good used 2WD tractor to do this could probably be had for about $10K. A front mounted snowblower though is expensive.

How much do you want to spend?

 

[MapleKing]

Thank you all for the responses!

I really hadn't considered a skid steer before but after some research that does look like the best solution. I need something compact and I think a skid steer is probably the smallest thing that I will find that can lift 1600lbs. Clearing snow with a snow blower would be a bonus. Price wise I think they are pretty similar so thank you for those suggestions!

 

[Sawyer Rob]

For "your" purpose, I would NOT buy a skid steer without tracks...

Wheel skids do not do well in soft ground, and for sure not well with 1600 pounds on the forks...

SR

 

[rScotty]

Thank you all for the responses!

I really hadn't considered a skid steer before but after some research that does look like the best solution. I need something compact and I think a skid steer is probably the smallest thing that I will find that can lift 1600lbs. Clearing snow with a snow blower would be a bonus. Price wise I think they are pretty similar so thank you for those suggestions!

I think you should consider your original idea a little more. Tractors are popular because they are so versatile. Most of the 40hp and up tractors have a matched front end loader that will easily handle 1600 lbs at enough height to load pallets on a truck. What kind of surface are you on to do this loading? Once you go a little farther to a 50 hp and up tractor it can carry that weight some distance and will have the weight & stability to do that job even in mud, snow and less than level ground.

Most tractors that size now come standard with forward hydraulics and a skid steer type quick change coupling on the front of the loader. SSQA means that tractor can quickly mount and use any attachment that a skid steer can use. This means that all types of attachments are now universal. So you can quickly swap your FEL bucket in favor of pallet forks or a snow blower. Hooking it up takes only a few minutes. If you are curiouis about a specific attachment, you can rent it at your rental yard and try it out. It will fit your tractor with SSQA.

Other advantages to tractors are that you are sitting above the load, so can see it better. Plus the machine itself is more versatile. It can go down the the road at a modest speed, can handle uneven terrain, and will mount and power a variety of implements at both ends.
Not so fast...
rScotty

 

[ultrarunner]

My Deere 110 TLB is 43 hp and would have no problem with that load.

Have a friend with a track skid steer and he can life nearly double what I can and run circles around me...

 

[Industrial Toys]

A 110 IS a 4000 series tractor. Nice tractor but not exactly what I would call "powerful". I guess that's subjective.

A tracked loader is what came to mind at the OPs question.

 

[ultrarunner]

It's what I would call versatile with the great backhoe... and features like creep.

I've unloaded moved a lot with it but it does have it's limits and when using the forks at capacity I move very slooowly...

The person that sold the 110 went to a track skid steer and added a mini excavator which was better suited to his underground utility business... he said the 110 did a good job but productivity increased by replacing it with two dedicated machines.

 

[jeff9366]

Kubota Skid Steer and Track Loader videos by Messick's.

VIDEOS: messicks kubota video track - YouTube




Wheels versus Tracks.
VIDEOS: skid steer track loader - YouTube


Consider a wheeled skid steer with rubber tracks mounted over the skid steer wheels.
VIDEO: Camso over-the-tire tracks (OTT) for skid steers: perform during winter - YouTube