Dumb question

[12Bravo]

I have been looking on varies websites, Green and Orange mainly. But can't seem to find where on their sites shows what each FEL capacities are.

This is what I am looking for, just for educational information. What tractors will have a FEL lifting capacity of 2300#'s or more.

Reason for looking, I am in the process of building a saw mill. So in the future I will need to be able to lift some large 24" diameter by 10-12' long logs. Different types of wood so weight will vary, but on average I shouldn't be much over 2000#'s at these lengths.

Thanks

PS::::I did a basic search on here, but there is so much information and so many post. It's hard to get to the point without reading hundreds if not a thousand post to "Maybe" find what I'm looking for. Information overload!

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

In general you're looking at 50ish HP and lager tractors. Since you are in the process of buying a small tractor, a skidsteer might be the more logical machine for landing work arround the mill.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

For orange tractors look at the largest L-series, the MX, and M series. On the orange website you should find links to PDF spec sheets. Also the PDF model brochures will have specs for each loader. Some tractor models have multiple loader options.

Hint: kubota loader models are usually the lift capacity at the pins. Ex. A LA1065 loader can lift about 1065kg at the pins. 1065kg X 2.2 = 2343lbs.

 

[npalen]

Kubota had a good idea at one time, that of designating the lift capacity with the model number of the FEL. For instance, a BF350 loader is supposed to lift 350kg or 770lb.

 

[GManBart]

I have been looking on varies websites, Green and Orange mainly. But can't seem to find where on their sites shows what each FEL capacities are.

This is what I am looking for, just for educational information. What tractors will have a FEL lifting capacity of 2300#'s or more.

Reason for looking, I am in the process of building a saw mill. So in the future I will need to be able to lift some large 24" diameter by 10-12' long logs. Different types of wood so weight will vary, but on average I shouldn't be much over 2000#'s at these lengths.

Thanks

PS::::I did a basic search on here, but there is so much information and so many post. It's hard to get to the point without reading hundreds if not a thousand post to "Maybe" find what I'm looking for. Information overload!

Deere doesn't seem to like publishing their loader specs....you can find them, but have to dig a bit usually. If you go to the following link, and click on the Compact Utility Tractors Attachments & Implements section, you can open up a PDF that lists many of the loader specs:

https://www.deere.com/en_US/industry/agriculture/learn_more/index_brochures/utility_tractors.page

As already mentioned, you need to open the PDFs for the models to get the data.

Plenty of machines in the 40hp + category will let you handle 2,000lb logs. You'll have to consider whether you'll be using a set of forks, or chaining them to the bucket, etc because those factors change how much the FEL can lift.

In general, the specs for lifting are given either at the pins (where the bucket attaches to the FEL arms), or 500mm forward of the pins, and that weight is lifted to full height. The farther forward the weight is, the less the loader can lift. If two loaders are listed as lifting 2,000lbs to full height, and one can go 12" higher, it's much more powerful than the one with the lower lift height, because lifting power is reduced by loader geometry the higher the weight is lifted.

So, if you have a loader listed as being able to lift 2,300lbs to 100" (just making this up), and you chain a 2,000lb log to the front of the bucket, it probably won't be capable of lifting that log to full height. On the other hand, if you were to get a set of forks for your FEL that would move the log closer to the pins, allowing you to lift more weight. The downside is the forks likely weigh more than the bucket, so you lose that amount from the ultimate lift capacity. In reality, it depends on the height of your sawmill as much as anything else. A loader that can lift only 2,000lbs to full height might be able to lift a 2,300b log high enough to load it on the sawmill.

The other thing is that when you start messing with 2,000lb objects, tractor stability becomes a major concern, and the longer those objects are, the more critical it becomes. If anything, you want a heavier machine that will be more stabile, and that will also mean you're looking at machines that won't be pushed to the max every time you use it. My LS was capable of lifting 2,500lbs to full height, but without a rear counterweight, could barely pick up 1,300lbs without raising the rear tires (just did this as a test). I turned that 1,300lb block into a rear counterweight and lifting 2,000lb+ objects was no problem at all....just something to keep in mind.

 

[12Bravo]

Gman,

Well said, that make perfect sense and will be noted.

The saw mill will only be about 24" or so off the ground, Bandsaw Mill.

Speaking of the LS tractors, the Massey dealership I went to look at the GC1720. Had some LS tractors and said the only one he would recommend is the XR series. I asked about the XJ and he said they don't carry them because they don't recommend them. I liked the looks and sat on one of the XR and XG series and fit well. But we didn't talk price and wasn't sure about the tractor after talking to him. For one, if they don't like them, how long will they sell them then?! So service support would now be an issue if they stop selling them.

 

[nybirdman]

You also may want to think about a "Thumb"& tooth-bar for your bucket or grapple.It makes it much more controllable.We did exactly what you are talking about this past spring.Loaded some large butternut logs on a band mill,had a thumb and tooth-bar on the loader and it worked very well.

 

[AuburnAlum]

Here is some comparison information that may be of help to you. I too have been looking at a tractor that can lift some sizable logs for a potential sawmill. I am trying to keep costs down so the smallest I am considering is a Massey 1736. But you may need larger.

 

[STx]

I usually just look up the loader model itself on tractordata.com. For example, I have a 16LA on my TC40 so I look here - TractorData.com New Holland TC35A tractor attachments information.

 

[Grandad4]

I'll agree with GMan's point regarding routine handling of 2,000+ lb logs. You want something with a margin of capacity in hydraulics, weight and physical size. If you've settled on a tractor platform so it can perform other tasks also, a "compact tractor" chassis size may well be at its stability limits with such payloads while a full sized utility tractor could be set up to handle them nicely. If you're open to other types of equipment, more options are available, from rough terrain forklifts, to telehandlers or even a bare-back full-sized TLB.