FEL LIFT CAPACITY INCREASE

flINTLOCK · Mar 3, 2010

My local NH dealer said that they could boost my FEL lift cap by about 20% by changing a shim set in the loader hydraulics. Does that seem safe. If so, sounds like found money to me.

dex3361 · Mar 3, 2010

If the Hydraulic relief pressure is low then it would up the ability of the loader but I would not exceed the rated pressure by much if at all. Is this a new loader? I noticed you have an Anbo Grapple which model do you have? How wide is it?

jinman · Mar 3, 2010

Gregory, your stock psi is 2500. A 20% increase would put you up at 3000 psi. It will not only cause your FEL to have more lift, but it will increase the pressure at your 3PH and the grip of your Anbo grapple. All your hoses will have more pressure, but I don't think that's the biggest issue. My only worry is that you will be causing the hydraulic pump to have 500 more psi of backpressure and that might cause an internal seal problem. Before going this route, I'd ask the dealer if he has done the pressure increase on other tractors with good success. I just wouldn't want to be his guinea pig.

flINTLOCK · Mar 3, 2010

Yea, that's my feeling. Don't want to put the system in jeopardy. I guess I could request some sort of warranty on the work, although I won't hold my breath for that. Thanks for the comebacks.

flINTLOCK · Mar 3, 2010

The grapple is about 66 inches I think. Not quite as wide as the tractor. It's their lighter duty model which suits the lift capacity of the FEL.

LD1 · Mar 3, 2010

A 20% increase in capacity is about 360lbs added. Whcih should only require a boost in system pressure of roughly 360psi and NOT 20% of the system pressure.

By boosting 20% in system pressure, you will return more than 20% lift @ the loader, because about half of the hydraulic force is used just to lift the weight of the loader itself. boosting pressure, it doesn't require any more force than before to lift the loader. So it is all a positive gain.

I did some numbers on it awhile back. Its base on a kubota but the principal is the same. You can start @ post #92 on page 10 and go from there
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ng/128908-bump-up-lift-capacity-l3400-10.html

J_J · Mar 3, 2010

flINTLOCK ,

Assuming that the pump is 3050 psi. and the cylinders are 2 in with a 1 in shaft. If the relief is set for 2800 psi, and lifting at an angle of 30 degrees, the lift capacity on each cyl is about 4398 lbs. If someone raises the pressure on the relief valve to 3000, the lift capacity on the cyl will be 4712 lbs each. A total lift increase of 628 lbs, by increasing the pressure 200 psi. The same pressure increase on a larger cyl will gain even more lift.

Maybe the dealer has done this before, and knows what the normal relief pressure is, and by adjusting up you should acquire some more lift capacity.

flINTLOCK · Mar 4, 2010

Sounds like it's at least worth investigating. Thanks

dboacres · Mar 6, 2010

If it ain't broke, don't fix it! A "friend" borrowed my tractor a few years ago. Thought he could make the loader do more than what is was designed for. Broke it! You can put bigger cylinders on, which is easier on the hydraulic system, but can the loader and tractor frame handle the extra weight?

J_J · Mar 6, 2010

I believe the lifting capacity on a tractor is designed to lift an average load with about a 10 % safety margin, and still have traction. So perhaps one day, you lift a wet load that raises the rear end. You would simply add some implement to the rear and lift the load and take care of business. You could adjust the relief valve to some degree. You could increasing the cylinder size, you will definitely increase the lifting force. The front axle will be the determining factor. Is it two or four wheel drive, etc? The front axle is where the tractor will try and pivot. Some people want to better what they have, by using common sense and a good knowledge of how things work. It is your tractor and you can do what you want.