This post was an interesting read, I was impressed to see the photo of the L2501 transporting 1,365lbs of bales. I own a L3901 and believe that I lifted as much as it could practically lift with the FEL. I’m talking about lifting something to a high pickup bed level.
I have a set of UA 42” pallet forks for this tractor, total weight of 300 lbs, I lifted my WoodMaxx MX9900 chipper that was on a standard pallet, chipper weight is 1,000lbs, pallet 25 lbs? Total weight of forks plus load 1,325 lbs.
My L3901 would not lift this to pick up bed height until I ran it at full throttle, not something I do most of the time. I could not imagine driving this load down farm tracks or across fields, in this case I just needed to drive forward on cement.
A lot of time is spent debating machine capabilities and capacities, I think we also need to consider safe operating conditions, and a general safety factor. I own cars that will exceed 150 mph but it’s difficult to find safe conditions to do so. I’m lucky enough to own a number of machines that will lift with pallet forks, I like to select a machine that will give me a safety factor.
Stay safe.