Lift capabilities

[Mtsoxfan]

I own a New Holland TC 29D. My neighbor asked me for a favor, I said I would help, if I could. Sadly, they are putting down one of their 30+ year old horses. They asked me if I would place in grave. Someone with an excavator is doing the digging prior, but can't stay around to lower horse. I'm not sure if I'm reading manual correctly, but it would seem like the lifting capabilities are 800#. Research shows the average horse is 1000# to 1200#. Yes, I know that there are wide variables to horse weight. This particular horse has been unable to gain weight despite vet recommended diet, and will not be able to survive the winter. Still, when standing next to it, seems big to a non horse knowledgeable person. I don't want to disrespect the horse by not being able to lift it, which I was going to accomplish by strapping the legs. Not sure if that is the best way either. Strap is 25'ish 7500# rating.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[4570Man]

You need to have the excavator do it if you’re going to do it in a a respectful method. Even if the tractor did pick it up which I doubt, it won’t have the reach to place the horse in the hole. Obviously you could just drag it in but I doubt that’s the option the owners are looking for.

 

[LouNY]

Your NH only specs out at 875 pounds lift at full height at the pins,
with a breakout of 1600 at the pins.

No way you can lift and set a horse.

 

[sea2summit]

I’ve done a lot of horses for folks. The key is to not have them help unless they understand how you need to do it with the equipment you have. Exactly like 4570 said, even if you can lift it very few soils will support your front tires with that kind of weight next to a hole deep enough for a horse.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

You need to have the excavator do it if you’re going to do it in a a respectful method. Even if the tractor did pick it up which I doubt, it won’t have the reach to place the horse in the hole. Obviously you could just drag it in but I doubt that’s the option the owners are looking for.

Thanks. I would never do anything but respectfully lower that horse.
I thought it might be out of tractor

Your NH only specs out at 875 pounds lift at full height at the pins,
with a breakout of 1600 at the pins.

No way you can lift and set a horse.

Thanks.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I’ve done a lot of horses for folks. The key is to not have them help unless they understand how you need to do it with the equipment you have. Exactly like 4570 said, even if you can lift it very few soils will support your front tires with that kind of weight next to a hole deep enough for a horse.

Mute point, as I have confirmation of capabilities, but I was going to drive down sloped side. It will be dug side to side for that purpose, not from short side. Thanks.

 

[4570Man]

Mute point, as I have confirmation of capabilities, but I was going to drive down sloped side. It will be dug side to side for that purpose, not from short side. Thanks.

It would take more time to dig a slopped hole than to stick around and lower the horse. Since it doesn’t sound like a medical emergency why don’t they schedule the euthanasia and the hole digging for the same time?

 

[LouNY]

Weekend or after work excavator, and Vets only doing 9-5 work day.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

It would take more time to dig a slopped hole than to stick around and lower the horse. Since it doesn’t sound like a medical emergency why don’t they schedule the euthanasia and the hole digging for the same time?

It's a working man who uses it for work. Doing it as a favor, that's how we roll around here... Vet has a schedule as well. Not idea situation.

 

[WM75Guy]

You will need more lifting capacity to do it safely and respectfully. Have the horse put down during the day, near where you want to bury it and cover it with a tarp weighted down. Bury it in the evening or the next day. Use chains on the legs, not straps. One end wrapped around both front legs and the other end around both back legs. Use the bucket to pick up the chain in the middle. The excavator then picks up the horse and carries it to the hole.

Our warmbloods weight 1400# to 1500#. Twice on our property we used a Case 580 backhoe to dig the hole, lower a horse into it, and fill in the hole. Took less than an hour. It worked out well for us.

 

[Peter 315]

We put down one of our horses 3 years ago. I dug the hole in the early morning the vet came at noon. euthanized the horse near the hole then my wife and the vet walked away then I pushed the horse in the hole and covered it up..Btw it was my horse..

 

[Mtsoxfan]

That sucks that you had to do it yourself.

I was caught in the moment when they asked, emotional talking with them about their 30+ yo horse.
After thought and info gathered with these posts replies, I am going to discuss with him tomorrow about finding another more capable tractor.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I own a New Holland TC 29D. My neighbor asked me for a favor, I said I would help, if I could. Sadly, they are putting down one of their 30+ year old horses. They asked me if I would place in grave. Someone with an excavator is doing the digging prior, but can't stay around to lower horse. I'm not sure if I'm reading manual correctly, but it would seem like the lifting capabilities are 800#. Research shows the average horse is 1000# to 1200#. Yes, I know that there are wide variables to horse weight. This particular horse has been unable to gain weight despite vet recommended diet, and will not be able to survive the winter. Still, when standing next to it, seems big to a non horse knowledgeable person. I don't want to disrespect the horse by not being able to lift it, which I was going to accomplish by strapping the legs. Not sure if that is the best way either. Strap is 25'ish 7500# rating.
Any help would be appreciated.

I found myself with quiet a 'red-face' when spouse bought a 1 cubic foot yard of compost. The bag of compost weighed in at 1400#. My little Kubota L3400 maxes out at around 900# for the FEL. It was hard to explain to her that my little 'Buda wouldn't do everything. Or maybe I just missed an opportunity to upgrade?

 

[sea2summit]

Mute point, as I have confirmation of capabilities, but I was going to drive down sloped side. It will be dug side to side for that purpose, not from short side. Thanks.

Wow, dick often or just when you ask for advice?

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Wow, dick often or just when you ask for advice?

Have you been drinking or what? Nothing I wrote was in a negative manner...

 

[jyoutz]

I found myself with quiet a 'red-face' when spouse bought a 1 cubic foot yard of compost. The bag of compost weighed in at 1400#. My little Kubota L3400 maxes out at around 900# for the FEL. It was hard to explain to her that my little 'Buda wouldn't do everything. Or maybe I just missed an opportunity to upgrade?

1 cubic foot (or yard) of compost doesn’t weigh 1400#. Did you to type another quantity?

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

To me if the horse was euthanized on the uphill side your tractor wouldn't have any trouble pushing it in.
We have pets & horses and we love horses dearly but once dead to me it's a matter of burial. People are different. Our friends/neighbors have a pet cemetery like we do except they have professional caskets and tombstone. My attitude is veterinarian expense is no object when alive...when dead it doesn't matter. Our cats I bury in a cardboard box. Neighbors bury with toys, blanket, flowers, etc.
So your neighbors may simply want it buried.
Our other neighbor is an excavator and buried another neighbor's horse with saddle & tack which to me is crazy.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Yeah, I won't suggest that. I'll tell them exactly why I can't do it, capabilities, and if they want her pushed in, I doubt it, then I will do that.
I get what your saying though. The wife was very emotional when I was asked.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Yes people are different. The excavator friend said he had to wait "forever" while the horse lady neighbor was with her horse in the grave grieving & crying.

 

[aczlan]

I have had to bury a couple of horses and a bunch of llamas and goats.
Better for those who have an attachment to the critter to not be around no matter what because it's never pretty burying something that big no matter how hard you try.

In a similar situation with conflicting schedules I have had to drag a horse to a hole when we didn't have a loader big enough to pick it up (use a chain and pull it in from the other side of the hole from the ramp so you don't pull a pile of dirt in under the body and you don't drop the tractor in if the sides of the hole give way).
I have also been able to have the guy who dug the hole set the body in with the excavator (much easier).

Aaron Z