Without question you will need rear weight...the rear hay bale is a MUST. I am not sure you will need to water it to gain extra weight.
The rear weight will keep you from tipping the tractor over. At 2000 or so lbs on a fork lift, if the hydraulics will not lift it, then the relief valve will properly give way and you will hear a hissing sound as you seek to lift the pallet. You will hurt nothing by trying and hitting the relief valve limit.
I recommend, very strongly, you have the hydraulic pressure relief valve checked before you take delivery. It is adjustable. Very, very typically it comes from the factory set at below max spec...which is somewhere around 2800 lbs if memory serves. There have been several TBN members, myself included, who had it checked, found to be significantly under max spec, and raised to max spec by the dealer. Cost me $35 plus drive time and diesel to get to and from the dealer. Excellent results...I am able to lift 2800 lbs with my FEL...no attachment, using chains...to height of about a foot now. Before adjustment, was unable to lift off the ground. My
L5030 and loader are slightly less tractor than your
L5740.
Last hint...I've had a few pallet fork loads that lifted a load to within 6 inches or so of what I needed before relief valve gave way. My son was, rather easily, able to manually push up on the load while I operated the hydraulics and that way I achieved the additional needed height. The hydraulics will prevent the load from falling....once it is up...
Make SURE your front tires are aired up to max spec on the rim...probably 24 lbs or so....otherwise, heavy load will roll an under inflated tire off the rim.
I've done what you are attempting to do, numerous times...which is to operate at the max FEL lift limit. The HST is your friend...go extremely slow until you are experienced. Do NOT try to make fast/sharp turns ...carry the load low while moving. Use 2500 rpm or PTO speed all the time you are doing this...provides max hydraulic pressure.
My net....if you prepare...rear weight, front tire air, relief valve max pressure, flat firm surface, be able to lift (with assist if necessary) pallet and move a short distance to ground...it'll work just fine for you.
Note, because of geometry and physics, a FEL can lift most lbs close to ground level. As the load gets higher, the load on the hydraulics gets heavier and thus the relief valve gets closer to tripping. In my case, very heavy loads can be lifted a foot, maybe 18 inches before the valve releases. Operate the FEL stick VERY SLOWLY...AVOID ANY SUDDEN MOTIONS...you do not want to have the load jerk or bounce...really puts pressure on the hydraulics.
An idea...get a pallet, load with known weight, try things out before the load arrives. Maybe bags of dirt, fertilizer, or??
