BX23 loader lifting/curling power?

[RayH]

I really havent taxed the loader until today and Im a little disappointed. I was using the loader to lift and move a box blade (est weight about 400lbs-450lbs). I had it chained to the top of the bucket. The loader would not curl it and it would only lift it about 8" off the ground. I realize thats quite a load for the little tractor but I still believe that a loader should lift enough to pull the rearend off the ground, especially since I didnt have much ballast, no loaded tires, no wheel weights and no weight box. I did have a light duty blade on that probably weighs 150 or so. Whats this I read about everyone adding weights and leaving their BH on when using the loader? My BX loader basically stalled and didnt even pull the rear tires off the ground. I know its not a fair comparison but my 3130 loader would lift the rearend with my 450lbs box blade and loaded tires.

 

[powershop]

Take it back to the dealer and have the pressure relief set.

 

[RayH]

Is that something they will do and not void the warranty? It sounds like one of those times you would get the old cover your a$$ "sorry, we are aloud to touch that" deals.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm not sure there is anything wrong with your loader. The rated capacity of the loader on the BX is 460lbs to full height (?at pivot point). That decreases substantially when the load is further out from the pivot pins and I would imagine the box blade has maybe half the weight hanging out further than the lip of the bucket. In that case the geometry would give you a lower lift capacity. 450lbs for a box blade is already pretty close to the limit for the BX loader and having it perched further from the pivot pins may just exceed it's capacity. However, I don't know why you could not curl it as that capacity is rated at about twice the weight of your BB.

I don't know why the capacity of the BX loader is as low as it is, certainly the machine has the horsepower/hydraulics to run a higher capacity loader. I have a 21 hp Kioti CK20 which is able to lift something like you are describing. Photo attached of the Kioti with a 450lb BushHog which I strapped into the bucket for a three mile trip after the boat ride. At least half the bush hog was outside (beyond) the bucket. No problem. However, that FEL is rated to lift 1074lbs at the pivot point. I suspect I was pretty close to the limit with this load perched out as far as it was.

I don't understand why Kubota puts lower rated FELs on the BX series. It ain't the horsepower or hydraulics as those are the same or higher than my CK20.

 

[Volfandt]

I don't know if theres an adjustment or not, couldnt hurt to ask.
I do know that the BX series needs to be at or very near full throttle inorder to get maximum hydraulic power and many times when digging I've had to raise RPM to get to that power.

I remember reading a review someone had written up on a BX22 I believe. Don't recall the source but I do recall the findings as I wrote them down. They did a couple test lifts at different positions on the FEL and the results were quite different dependant upon on the lift point of the bucket. The test was to to get the full lifting capacity to full height.

Lift capacity with the weight lfted at the front outside edge of the bucket was around 250lbs. The strap was connected to the top of the bucket and ran down the front of it.

Lift capacity with the weight centered under the bucket was over 600lbs. The weight was strapped to where it was directly centered under the middle of the bucket.

Other than lifting full buckets of dirt and gravel, the heaviest load I've lifted thus far on the BX23 is the 60" MMM which weighs in around 220lbs. I lift it with chains hooked to the chain hooks on the top of the bucket and it has no problem lifting those items.
That said, if/when the time comes where I need to lift 500lbs or so I'll strap the load to where it is either centered under the bucket or off the back side of the bucket, closer to the pins.

 

[Treb5]

I purchase a Wilton Horizontal bandsaw last year that was loaded into my 5X8 cargo trailer with a forklift. When I got it home my BX23 was barely able to lift it out. Weight of the saw was 346lbs. Lifted it with an eye I welded on the center of the bucket top. Twenty pounds more and that saw would still be in the trailer..

 

[escavader]

I honestly think these 23s could lift more,but the safety cops at KUBOTA got them set up so you dont lift the rear off the ground,or break something.Even one of my friends with a new m series is suprised for the lack of breakout force.
ALAN

 

[RayH]

I probably wont bother having the relief adjusted. I can load it till its running over with wood or dirt or gravel and it does fine so the 400lbs+ box blade hanging under the cutting edge was an unusually tough load for it. I just found it strange that it didnt have enough juice to lift the rear off the ground with minimal ballast (150lbs blade). Its good that I know how much ballast I need for loader work on flat ground now.
I AM a little put off that it doesnt have more curl strength though. I did have it at near full throttle while trying to lift and curl the box blade and the loader still stalled.
I guess Im still used to the brute power of my old 3130 that could effortlessly curl or lift until it stood on its nose, if I let it.

 

[DannyD]

Put the bh on and use that, more lifting power and more breakout. I used mine to move some rocks for a pond that would not move with the loader.

 

[Volfandt]

I found the review. It was on the BX23 as opposed to the BX22 as I stated and it had 3 separate tests as opposed to the 2 I originally posted.
Front edge = 290lbs
Center buckt = 480lbs
At the lift pins = 660lbs

One or both of the sites won't allow me to link so if you want the url shoot me an email.

Volfandt