Can the tractor lift it?

[Modn]

Well it picked it with my forks on....with ease actually while sitting on the ground, which kind of surprised me. I said I would get pics, but when it's 0 out I was more wanting to get it on the pad. Sorry!! I had to pick it about 3' high off of the ground as the pad is elevated. I'm glad I have 1200# ballast on the back. It was very stable and never got the pucker factor. Whew!!

 

[texasjohn]

Just saw your post.
Bravo on your rear weight...that would have been my key advise.

Am not surprised it worked for you because you were planning on using forks. This allows more payload than if you were going to use a heavy bucket and chain hooks.

I lift 2800 lbs with my 5030 by removing bucket and running a shaft thru the FEL brace pipe and chaining to the shaft. Can't lift it more than 1 ft or so off the ground but that's all I need. Gets the leverage as near to the tractor as possible, minimum FEL weight, max payweight.

Helps to have max pressure in front tires... keeps them from rolling off the rims.

A properly weight balanced 5030/LA853 system is a beast, properly driven on good ground. The HST allows extremely slow movement while allowing PTO RPM's which keeps plenty of power to the hydraulics and wheels. I consider HST a major safety feature when doing exactly this...lifting major weight and placing it exactly where you want it.