Loader How much can I lift?

[Qapla]

The only way to determine the amount of logs your loader will lift is to load your bucket.

Cut the logs so they are the longest you want that will fit in your bucket.

Load them one at a time and try lifting the bucket after each one is loaded.

When it will no longer lift the load, take one log out. That is how much you can lift. The relief valve in the loader control will kick in when the load limit had been reached so you will not hurt anything while determining the load limit.

Having ballast weight on the back is critical. If the loader can lift it, you can move the tractor without hurting the tractor, but be sure to use care so you do not get the tractor off balance and risk a tip-over. (Don't take a near max load down a steep hill front-ways or sideways)

We have a FT 360DTC and it lifts quite a bit, but I have found a few things I could not lift. Ours has a backhoe, so ballast has not been a problem.

 

[suntreemcanic]

Qapla
Thank you for your advice. My logs are large. We want to saw them into at least 18 foot lengths for beams. I want to move them to a drying deck to sit for a year. This will only require a 300 foot move on level land. I calculate that an 18 foot log will weigh 2145 pounds so I should be able to move it. Ballast will always be an option.

 

[Qapla]

If they are going to be 18' long, I would consider dragging them the distance to the deck and then lifting them in place with the loader.

Since they will be much wider than the tractor and quite heavy, be sure to chain them to the bucket securely before lifting them. We don't want you to post in the "Safety" forum that you rolled one onto yourself while lifting it.

You should have plenty enough tractor for the job you are describing, just be careful.

 

[texasjohn]

suntreemcanic, Qapla hit it on the nose. Cut one to length and see if you can lift it.

I recommend dropping the FEL bucket and rigging a way to chain the log directly to your FEL. This will give you maximum actual payload. You will be VERY near the max you can lift, even a short distance off the ground. Getting the balance right on such a long log will be tricky.... and you will experience AMAZING torque when you turn such a long log..... gotta go REAL slow, it's going to want to turn your tractor over going around a corner.

Please listen to me.... rear ballast is NOT an option, it is MANDATORY...and a LOT.... only your experience will dictate how much, but I predict that you will need about 800 lbs on the rear to give you a stable ride with your 2200 lb load lifted. If you lift the log and experience a significant rocking motion back and forth while carrying the load, this means you need MORE rear weight.

I don't have personal experience with logging, but am wondering if it wouldn't be better to lift with your 3 pt hitch and a boom pole...which typically can lift much more than the FEL... for the major move... then possibly use FEL to pick up an end at a time and move it into position for storage.

Alternatively, have you considered skidding it out, again using the 3 point hitch/boom pole?

 

[xtn]

I understand most tractors have better capacity at the 3pt than at the loader, but isn't that at the pins? Wouldn't adding a boom pole, thus increasing the lever arm out from the pivotal points three fold or more result in a capacity that is a third or less?

 

[texasjohn]

I'm suggesting that you chain the log close to the 3PH lower arms, lifting it a short distance off the ground. Yes, the further you get from the pins, the greater leverage you are having to overcome. Same is true with FEL.