Mahindra 3510 FEL question

[Secret Squirrel]

Has anyone ever taken any steps to increase the lifting power of the FEL on a Mahindra 3510? If so, what did you do and what did it cost? I've been trying to use it to move pallets lately and I simply need more lifting power to get the job done. Thanks.

Rusty

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

what's on the pallets, and are you using a real set of forks or clamp on's?

 

[Secret Squirrel]

what's on the pallets, and are you using a real set of forks or clamp on's?

What's on the pallets shouldn't matter. Whether it be a ton of feathers or a ton of lead - it shouldn't make any difference. But mostly we are talking miscellaneous building supplies, palletized and stretch wrapped. It's just a pain having to unwrap and remove stuff piece by piece, bag by bag until I can pick-up the pallet. Forks are standard 48" skidsteer type.

I'd just like to know the limiting factor on the 3510's loader lifting capability. Is it the tractor (tires, frame, front axle?) or the loader? And if it is the loader, can I safely increase lifting capability with different cylinders or other mods? I just ran out of factory warranty so I am ready to start tinkering. My rear tires are loaded and I use a hefty ballast box, so no fears about stability. I'd even get the front tires foamed if that would help.

Rusty

 

[rback33]

My only question is whether it's a gear or an HST?

 

[Secret Squirrel]

My only question is whether it's a gear or an HST?

It's a 2005 gear model. 4WD. Loader is model "ML112"

Rusty

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

What's on the pallets shouldn't matter. Whether it be a ton of feathers or a ton of lead - it shouldn't make any difference. But mostly we are talking miscellaneous building supplies, palletized and stretch wrapped. It's just a pain having to unwrap and remove stuff piece by piece, bag by bag until I can pick-up the pallet. Forks are standard 48" skidsteer type.

Rusty

the reason I asked about what's on the pallets is because a pallet of granite, bricks, or concrete blocks can easily weigh 3000 pounds, while a pallet of dried firewood might only weigh 1000.
If you're having trouble picking up something only weighing 1000 pounds, there is a problem, but 3k is well outside the loader spec for the ML112.
Now that Rback33 is here, I'll just sit back and listen - because he really is the expert on this particular model.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

the reason I asked about what's on the pallets is because a pallet of granite, bricks, or concrete blocks can easily weigh 3000 pounds, while a pallet of dried firewood might only weigh 1000.
If you're having trouble picking up something only weighing 1000 pounds, there is a problem, but 3k is well outside the loader spec for the ML112.
Now that Rback33 is here, I'll just sit back and listen - because he really is the expert on this particular model.

These pallets that come in are all different weights. Some I can lift and some I can't. The loader is probably meeting spec or coming real close. It isn't broken. I know there is a big difference in pivot pin rating vs what you can pickup with these 48" pallet forks. I'm really just looking to find out if replacing the lift cylinders with the next size up (2.25" vs 2") makes sense or if I'm going to end up breaking something.

Rusty

 

[Westendorf-RR]

I don't know if this will be of any help, but we rated and recommended the Mahrinda 3510 with a TA-170 loader with a 1450lb lift capacity (full height front edge of bucket). We have an optional (TA-175) with upgraded lift cylinders to get 2250 lbs, however it is not recommended for this tractor. You may be at your tractors max capacity for a loader.

Mahindra Attachments & Farm Equipment – front end loaders, backhoes, mowers & more

Here are Mahrinda's specs on your loader, however they only list capacity back at the pivot pins (1972#). If you move 48" out (pallet size) towards front edge of your bucket you will get considerably less lift power.

If there is any way you can move the load back closer to the loader it will help. For example if you are using the clamp on stye forklift teeth (clamps over front edge of bucket), you'd be better off getting rid of the bucket.

Here is an example: If I move the measurement point of a loader from the pivot to the front edge of bucket this is what happens to the lift capacity.

PIVOT PIN: 4100# lift capacity at 10' high
FRONT EDGE: 2400# lift capacity at 10' high 800 mm out from Pivot Pin

Hopefully this helps.

Ever consider a 3-point forklift? They have much more lift capacity (3500#). The only bad thing is you have to go backwards, but that is a lot easier than unloading the pallet by hand .

Thrifty-Lift

 

[rback33]

Rusty,
Thanks for the clarification. I was pretty sure from your posts that you were pushing the max capacity of the loader, but could not decided if you felt you were getting everything you should out of it. If I have understood all this you feel like the loader IS performing to spec, you just wish you had a little more umph. I have no first hand knowledge of anyone going to bigger cylinders on this particular model. If spec'd preperly, I doubt there is much risk by going a little bigger. My only concern is the front axle. There have been issues in the past where people have chewed up front axles with heavy loader work. Skipmarcy is an expert at changing those out. I might have a cylinder print that would give you the retracted length, stroke, etc for you to see about getting some custom built.

Oh.. and don't ask Erik... Yours is still under warranty...

 

[Secret Squirrel]

Rusty,
Thanks for the clarification. I was pretty sure from your posts that you were pushing the max capacity of the loader, but could not decided if you felt you were getting everything you should out of it. If I have understood all this you feel like the loader IS performing to spec, you just wish you had a little more umph. I have no first hand knowledge of anyone going to bigger cylinders on this particular model. If spec'd preperly, I doubt there is much risk by going a little bigger. My only concern is the front axle. There have been issues in the past where people have chewed up front axles with heavy loader work. Skipmarcy is an expert at changing those out. I might have a cylinder print that would give you the retracted length, stroke, etc for you to see about getting some custom built.

Oh.. and don't ask Erik... Your's is still under warranty...

Your understanding is correct. I am not the greatest mathematician in the world, but all indications are that the loader is meeting spec. I'm just looking to see if we can squeeze a little more lifting capacity out of it for use with these 48" pallet forks. I don't see us going to greater than 2.25" cylinders (from 2" stock). I believe that would give us about a 25% increase in capacity and that is all I would ever want to risk. I hope Skipmarcy will give us his opinion on this idea.

I don't think the cylinder drawing would help us much because it needs a completely different base end design once we exceed the 2" cylinder diameter. It will not fit inside the space for it in the boom. I doubt we would go custom made cylinders anyway. Too expensive and too long a lead time. We will try to find something off the shelf and adapt the ends to fit.

Rusty