LA525 FEL question

[afret]

If a L3901 has SSQA forks that weigh about 250 lbs, could the FEL lift a 1000 lb pallet just enough off the ground to move it around?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

It's going to be real close.
Make sure you have some good rear ballast.

If there is any chance you can pull a little weight off the pallet that would be better.

 

[eipo]

Or get some of the weight closer to the tractor on the pallet.

 

[afret]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm getting a PTO chipper delivered soon and it's supposed to weigh 1000 lbs. Maybe it would be better to just hook it up to the 3 point after they take it off the truck and move it that way.

 

[mdhughes]

I was able to pick my wood chipper out of the back of my pickup truck. I left the crate on the truck. I used a chain and the bucket, I didn't have my forks at the time.

 

[afret]

I was able to pick my wood chipper out of the back of my pickup truck. I left the crate on the truck. I used a chain and the bucket, I didn't have my forks at the time.

Wow, that Woodmaxx chipper weighs about the same as the Woodmaxx I ordered and your tractor was able to lift that? I guess these loaders are stronger than what the specs say which is good news.

 

[mdhughes]

This is the best picture I have of the chipper when I was unloading it from the truck. The picture was taken by a trail camera. As soon as I cleared the tailgate of the truck I lowered the chipper to about 6" off the ground.

 

[afret]

This is the best picture I have of the chipper when I was unloading it from the truck. The picture was taken by a trail camera. As soon as I cleared the tailgate of the truck I lowered the chipper to about 6" off the ground.

That's pretty impressive. What did you hook the chain around on the chipper?

 

[mdhughes]

There are lift points on the chipper, I put a pin in and used the chain around the pin. You can see in the picture below:

 

[Billdog350]

As mentioned previously make sure to have adequate counterweight!!!! You can tip your machine in short order trying to lift something at max weight, especially if you start lifting from a high point (from the back of the delivery truck).

You can adjust the hydraulic pressure relief on your LA525 to get that little extra lifting capacity, however its crucial that you have the counterweight (ballast) nailed to prevent issues. Also make sure your front tires are inflated correctly (some lose a little air over time and you only notice at max load).

I have an 1850lb steel counterweight on my L3710 and I can lift close to 2000lbs with my LA682 loader which is only rated to around 1500lbs. However I don't dare do that on hills or plan on moving too far with it.

 

[afret]

That's a lot of ballast you have. I just checked my front tire pressure and they are OK. I wonder if a 3 point pallet fork might be the way to go since I ordered lift gate service so they will lower the chipper to the ground and I just have to take it from there.

How do you adjust the hydraulic pressure? Do you need to get some kind of pressure gauge to check and where do you hook that up to?

 

[Billdog350]

afret, there are several posts on OTT about increasing your hydraulic system (and loader) pressure. On most models its either a shim behind a spring, OR a simple allen screw with lock nut. Yes they recommend that you test the pressure before and after to keep things within spec. "Generally" your cylinders and hoses will be rated far above the maximum that you can crank your pressure up to but you don't want to bend or break anything.

Yeah I have both rear tires loaded with approx 1200lbs of liquid ballast plus the steel counterweight off of a forklift on my L3710...makes the machine pretty unstoppable.