Slowing the loader?

BigDogues · Sep 1, 2005

Okay, my turn to nitpick. I was just wondering if there is a way to slow the loader down slightly besides throttling back on the engine. I try to run my engine up in the power curve where it's nice and smooth and gives me decent land speed in low range. But I find the loader is just a bit too jerky. I have to be careful how fast or hard I pull on the joystick. I like to slow it a touch so it's a little less sensitive.
-Phil

DrewL · Sep 1, 2005

slow up the loader.......................that's a new one on me! I do think I understand your question. What I do for better control of the loader is move my hand down on the joystick to reduce my leverage which in turn gives me finer control

BigDogues · Sep 1, 2005

I know, it sounds silly, but sometimes when I am working in low range at full rpms and the loader gets a little touchy, especially when traveling over rough terrain. If I use medium range sometimes the tractor bogs a bit out of the hole or when driving the bucket up into a pile of material. Mind you, I only want to slow it a touch, just to make it a little less sensitive. Loader work at 2000 rpms is great, but traveling at that rpm stinks.
-Phil

Bob_Skurka · Sep 1, 2005

Phil all I can say you will get used to it. We have several different types of fork lifts at work and each has its own characteristics, some people have mastered all of them and others have mastered some, but it boils down to exerpiences with THAT machine. Give yourself some more time and experiene on the tractor and you will be able to manipulate the loader at the speed you desire it to operate at without slowing down the engine.

KiotiJohn · Sep 2, 2005

Feathering is the operative word. It just takes a little practice to learn just how much push/pull to exert to get the exact response one desires.
Other than that, you could stop being lazy and simply move the throttle back and forth, but that just isn't necessary. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
please note the smile indicating that I'm just picking on you!
John

RedRocker · Sep 2, 2005

I remember thinking the same thing. Seat time will take care of it though.

Boomerang1 · Sep 3, 2005

I bought my tractor (DX33) for loader and BB work. The only time I have went over 2000 rpm for loader work was during the break-in period. I can't lift any more weight with the throttle wide open vs. 2000 rpm. The peak torque on most diesel engines is probably around 1200 - 1500 rpm. The hydraulic pump on some machines may need the extra rpm's to build the needed pressure. Once you get used to feel of the joystick, the problem will seem to disappear. Remember the first time you drove a car? The throttle, clutch and brake pedals were a little jerky also.

VictorW · Sep 4, 2005

Just as the others advised, a little more seat time will have you working the loader as a pro. All machines are different and you just have to learn the feel of the controls. I think the joystick on my CK30hst feathers nicely. I just had to get used to it. Give yourself a little more time and I think you'll be happy with it.

BigDogues · Sep 4, 2005

I think your all missing my point here. On smooth ground I have no problem running the loader at a higher rpm. My problem was that some of my property was so rough that any travel, even slowly, while operating the loader simultaneously was not real pleasant. You see, I had 100 yards of fill delivered at one end of the property and had to transport it to the other end some 150+ ft away. Well most of the trip was smooth out to where I wanted to put it so a higher travel speed was cool. I even tried to make the trip in medium range which was good for traveling but when I was working the pile or going up a steep hill I would sometimes bog the engine. (maybe I should have bought the CK30, hmm...,nah /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) Anyway most of the trips I would make in low range at full rpms which was acceptable. I could creep nicely when I got to where I wanted to go. But until I got the area smoothed out loader work was kind of jerky. We are talking about some serious neck jarring bumps here! And I really am too lazy /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif to move the throttle or shift ranges on every trip.

DK35vince · Sep 4, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( But until I got the area smoothed out loader work was kind of jerky. We are talking about some serious neck jarring bumps here ! )</font>

Sounds more the terrain than the loader.
I've done loader work with front end loaders, backhoes, tractors, skid steers, Etc. Can't say any of the above were comfortable lifting the loader in neck jarring bumps.
I simply smooth out the bumps..