Tweaked FEL Output

Mrwurm · May 12, 2003

I am posting this because my wife has been busy and I don't feel I've been yelled at enough lately. I am sure this post will generate some cautious responses. So, go ahead and let me have it.

My FEL (7308 on NH TC30) is spec'd to lift 870 lbs. I have found this amount to be somewhat inadequate once in a while. My FEL also, did not have enough power to lift the front of the tractor off the ground. I am aware that FEL capacities are set based on structural strength of loader and tractor, hydraulic capacity, front axle weight limit, tire loading limit, and front to rear ballasting concerns.

That all being said, here is what I did. I removed the cover from my selective control valve. Found that there is only one place to make adjustments. I placed a block of wood under the loader to allow for cylinder travel, then I tried to lift the tractor with the loader. Nope, won't do it. I then loosened a jam nut and turned the adjusting screw in until the loader produced enough power to lift the tractor.

This was a low-tech method to adjust my pressure relief at the valve but, as the system main relief is supposed to be set at 2150 psi, I think it is safe from a hydraulic system stand point. The only question that remains is will the mechanical systems survive the additional abuse. (I've only found one occasion in the past year when my loader did not have enough power to lift something I wanted to move, so this is a seldom-use situation)

Of course, my old settings made the loader incapable of lifting the rear of the tractor off the ground due to my loaded tires. I will have to experiment to see if the new adjusted power output wil require additional ballasting in the rear.

Ok, I said enough. What do you think?

rockyridgefarm · May 12, 2003

i started to say "you'll be sorry..." then I remembered this:

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Jerry TC30V )</font>

My NH dealer acted as if the TC30 had an advantage over the Boomers in front axle strength.nnIF so, you should be OK/ Does the manual warn against dishing out the front wheels? That would be another clue...

icat · May 12, 2003

I think I'm glad I opted for the bigger loader!

My worry would be that the hoses and fittings would not be "rated" for the increase pressure.

kensfarm · May 12, 2003

I'm sure someone would lend you their wife to yell at you for a while.. until you've reached your quota! Were you using only the main arms of FEL to try and lift.. or the bucket pivot to lift the front of the tractor? I wouldn't mind having more lifting power.. but I can already lift my back wheels off the ground when trying to uproot a stump.. my tires are loaded w/ wheel weights.. maybe they had the setting too low from the start. Is it safe.. I believe that would depend.. but I'd go out and run some tests on your new found power to see what you can expect. Knowing your tractor's capabilities & limits will help keep you safe.

Mosey · May 12, 2003

I think it would be reasonable for you to be able to lift your rear tires off the ground with just the fluid and no other weight on the back. I also think it would be reasonable to be able to lift the font of the tractor off the ground by using the boom cylinders (not having to use the bucket curl cylinders).

Did you keep track of how many times you turned the adjusting screw in? How did you know that "in" would be the right way to go, or did you just guess?

I think New Holland is way conservative on the 7308 mounted on a Class II Boomer. I've heard of people adjusting the lift capacity and never heard of any problems. I commend you for having the courage to give it try! I'm sure you're going to get bashed, so be ready to duck!

I hope you get some feedback on other 7308 owners. For comparison, I have the Bush Hog M246 on my tractor right now. I'm not sure how much longer it's going to be there, but that's the subject of another thread When is rear ballast needed with a FEL?. Anyway, it will lift the front tires off the ground using the boom cylinders without even working. The tractor can be at an idle. I don't have loaded tires or wheel weights, but I can assure you that if it had both, it would lift the rears off the ground if I had enough weight in the bucket. What I'm not sure about is how much weight the front axle is going to handle.

I think a reasonable amount of weight to be able to lift with a Class II Boomer is somewhere in between the 875 lb rating of the 7308 and the 1535 lb rating of the M246. Something like 1100 lbs would be OK for the tractor frame and front axle, and safe as long as you have enough ballast.

Mosey · May 12, 2003

icat - "I think I'm glad I opted for the bigger loader!"

What "bigger loader" do you have and on what tractor?

Mosey · May 12, 2003

kensfarm - "I can already lift my back wheels off the ground when trying to uproot a stump.. my tires are loaded w/ wheel weights.. maybe they had the setting too low from the start."

According to kensfarm's bio, he has a bigger tractor with a bigger loader, but his performace is more what I would expect. I've heard of the 7308 coming from the factory with various settings. I talked to a guy with a TC25D with a 7308 who said he's never stalled his loader. Maybe Mrwurm's was ajusted too low to start with. I'm wondering if other brands factory loaders perform more like kensfarm's or more like Mrwurm's? Hopefully, we'll find out on this thread.

Hoeman00 · May 12, 2003

Get a gauge and put it in line and see what pressure u are running now.
The pump has a relief valve so whole system is still protected.
The hoses are the same as the rear remotes use and this is at pump pressure so they should be OK.
All the hoses have lots of safety built in because of the shock load that they could be subject too.
I'd go w/ the pressure was too low to begin w/ and u might be close to normal now.
What about getting dealer too double check on the next service or warranty repair?

Mrwurm · May 12, 2003

Cool /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Lot's of good replies.

Some replies...

Keith, the system pressure is supposed to be set at 2150psi and the hoses are rated for 3000psi so I don't think there is any risk of oveloading the hydraulic components except for shock load.

Kensfarm, yes, I was lifting with only the main arms. This is something that Kubota's and Deere's do with no trouble.

Mosey, yes, I know exactly how much I turned the screw. I tried turning it out and in until I figured which direction had the desired effect (in = power)

Tim, yes, I have also heard that most NH loaders are set up as much as 300 psi below spec from the factory. Here's an interesting point. The loader valve including all the fasteners had a thick coat of paint on them. I had to carve off the paint to release the nut and screw for adjustment. The valve is a 'Prince' and I'll bet that NH doe'snt make any adjustments to them at all. They probably get them from Prince and bolt them on.

Also, having this checked by the dealer would be great. But he is 30 miles away and I won't be seeing their service bay until I have a repair need.

MikeBurr · May 12, 2003

Could you post a picture of where the adjustment screw is or go into more detail of it's location. Might want to adjust mine. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif