FEL Size

[WFM]

I had a customer stop today, it looked at my tractor and said 'why in the world would you buy the home owner FEL for your tractor'?, I said I thought the 3800 came with only one FEL available . He said he has a three yr old 35 HP and the FEL will lift 2000 lbs, he said there is a heavy duty FEL and the home owner model. Without looking I think my FEL is a 524 maybe. He said the 7-- FEL is the heavy duty one. Has anyone ever heard of this ?

 

[Bluegill]

There is only one FEL for the L3800, but two different buckets. If his will left 2000 lbs he has a larger tractor. Or he doesn't know what he's talkin about.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

I dont think a tractors FEL will lift 2000lbs until your around a 100hp farm tractor. Unless he has confused breakout force for lifting force which IS a difference.

 

[gpreuss]

The 724 is the FEL that comes with the L4600 tractor. Yes, it will lift over a ton at the pivot points. I do not know if it will fit a 3200/3800 tractor.
Frankly, you can be getting into serious trouble going for more lift. Most of us with 3200/3800 tractors are putting a whole lot of ballast in the rear, to counter what the 524 loader can lift. Adding another 500 lbs in the loader bucket can have you on your nose.
My dealer said Kubota rates its front axle for about 2600 lbs - I forgot to write down the number, so I can't guarantee it. That number is also about what R1 tires will handle, depending on the ply rating. The weight of the loader, and its load, are effectively doubled on the front axle, because their center of gravity is well out in front of the axle. The weight of the 524 loader with bucket is about 1150 lbs so it alone gets you to the front axle rating.
I wouldn't want to go for bigger and heavier, without also getting the bigger tractor to handle it.

 

[WFM]

Makes sense to me......Just another tractor 'expert' who doesn't know their ass from their elbow....but I thought I'd ask. Thanks

 

[Bluegill]

Yep, the L3800 has plenty of lift for it's size. For more lift ya need a larger tractor.

 

[Stubbyie]

Same loader, different buckets: one bucket is lighter duty angular welded the other is round-back single-piece rolled-to-shape. The heavier should have ability to install replaceable cutting or wear edge, the lighter may or may not.