Lifting a ton with MX5400?

[viejo79]

Hello everyone, looking at purchasing an MX5400 with FEL. The stats on the LA1065 have me wondering what I should really expect using pallet forks...especially if unloading a tote bag off a flatbed trailer. Anyone with experience willing to share what they've encountered? This is a primary function of the tractor, so I don't want to end up finding myself underpowered. I realize an M would be better, but the manual transmission is not something that works well with our setup. TIA

 

[zfish65]

Hello everyone, looking at purchasing an MX5400 with FEL. The stats on the LA1065 have me wondering what I should really expect using pallet forks...especially if unloading a tote bag off a flatbed trailer. Anyone with experience willing to share what they've encountered? This is a primary function of the tractor, so I don't want to end up finding myself underpowered. I realize an M would be better, but the manual transmission is not something that works well with our setup. TIA

Hopefully this helps you out some!

 

[viejo79]

Hopefully this helps you out some!
View attachment 97585

This is great! Thank you...where does level of detail come from?

 

[GreensvilleJay]

That info is supposed to be in the 'operator's manual' which not many read ( I quikly looked at mine...4 years ago....)
It looks like the table came from the WorkShopManual...

The 'V' capacity of 1691# INCLUDES the weight of the bucket or forks and frame !!! So if you assume 200# for them, then 1500# lift of 'stuff', + or -.
You 'might' lift a 'ton in a totebag' IF you can curl the loops(handles ?) of the bag to the frame/bucket pivot point. MIGHT.......
I'm only going by the numbers posted,but someone with that tractor may know for sure.

 

[jyoutz]

The specs for the LA1065 show
A lift capability of approximately 2400 lbs. most pallet forks weigh 350-400#. So a ton is right at the capacity for the loader. I lifted a ton of wood pellets from a truck bed last fall and had weighted tires and a 6’rotary cutter for ballast. It felt heavy and I was glad to lower the load to near the ground after backing away from the truck. With high RPMs, good ballast, and level ground, this loader will lift a ton. For very occasional and careful lifting, this loader will do it. If I had to lift a ton very often, I would want a larger machine.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I prefer to use the forklift for loading/unloading. It's better designed (smoother on the controls,rear weight). I use the pallet forks on the BX23S but man it's not 'silky smooth'....
For sure you'll need a LOT of rear ballast ! Something I always assume is their.

 

[Jchonline]

Why get a tractor just to unload things off a flatbed? Why not consider a forklift if ground is solid, or a loader?

Even if 2000lbs is the working limit..that is 500mm (19 in) out front of the pins. Most pallet forks are 3-4 ft out. That means you arent going to be able to do it well.

 

[mcmxi]

I've picked up some heavy loads with both of my MX tractors. I've moved about 2,000lb of concrete bags on a pallet using the cabbed MX but that was sketchy. I have 600lb of wheel weights and ballast in the tires and it was still sketchy. I felt that the MX struggled at around the 1,800lb mark to be honest, but accounting for the weight of the pallet forks and the location of the load this seemed more than reasonable. Also for the record, I only lifted the pallet up enough to unload bags from a trailer onto the pallet, and then move them into a barn.

 

[viejo79]

Why get a tractor just to unload things off a flatbed? Why not consider a forklift if ground is solid, or a loader?

Even if 2000lbs is the working limit..that is 500mm (19 in) out front of the pins. Most pallet forks are 3-4 ft out. That means you arent going to be able to do it well.

Yeah fair enough. I had been looking at skid steers, but the price point is double that of a tractor it seems. Was hoping to purchase one piece of equipment.
I also want the ability to take a hog feeder to its place in the field with the pigs, so I ruled out a forklift.
So many questions, so wanted to ask folks who actually had the tractor. Sales person at Kubota felt strongly that it could do the job.

 

[viejo79]

I've picked up some heavy loads with both of my MX tractors. I've moved about 2,000lb of concrete bags on a pallet using the cabbed MX but that was sketchy. I have 600lb of wheel weights and ballast in the tires and it was still sketchy. I felt that the MX struggled at around the 1,800lb mark to be honest, but accounting for the weight of the pallet forks and the location of the load this seemed more than reasonable. Also for the record, I only lifted the pallet up enough to unload bags from a trailer onto the pallet, and then move them into a barn.

Eesh - good to know. Thank you!

 

[hedgerow]

If I had a two thousand pound pallet of product on the flatbed to be unloaded I would grab the S-850 Bobcat skid loader and leave the MX6000 in the shed.

 

[mcmxi]

If I had a two thousand pound pallet of product on the flatbed to be unloaded I would grab the S-850 Bobcat skid loader and leave the MX6000 in the shed.

Good for you that you have that option, and in a perfect world we'd all have tractors, skid-steers, excavators, forklifts etc., but in the real world many of us have to make do with a one-size-fits- all approach.

So how much have you lifted with your MX? Of how much would you feel comfortable lifting? The answers to these questions might be more useful to the OP.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Good for you that you have that option, and in a perfect world we'd all have tractors, skid-steers, excavators, forklifts etc., but in the real world many of us have to make do with a one-size-fits- all approach.

So how much have you lifted with your MX? Of how much would you feel comfortable lifting? The answers to these questions might be more useful to the OP.

So your telling me that because I have a Tractor, Skidsteer, and a Forklift that I don't live in the real world?

Because I'm telling you....
Oh wait your right I don't have an excavator???
Dang I need to work on that!

HAHAHA

Seriously, the reason I got a Forklift is because my Tractors and Skid steer would not lift what I needed them to do safely.
Just based on specs, an MX is pushing it with 2k.
Real world I think mcmxi summed it up nicely, it can be done but it's on the edge of dicey!

 

[mcmxi]

So your telling me that because I have a Tractor, Skidsteer, and a Forklift that I don't live in the real world?

Because I'm telling you....
Oh wait your right I don't have an excavator???
Dang I need to work on that!

HAHAHA

Seriously, the reason I got a Forklift is because my Tractors and Skid steer would not lift what I needed them to do safely.
Just based on specs, an MX is pushing it with 2k.
Real world I think mcmxi summed it up nicely, it can be done but it's on the edge of dicey!

A 12k'ish excavator is on my wish list but it'll have to wait a few years. I would find an excavator way more useful than a skid-steer or forklift but that's just my situation.

Even with a ballast box or heavy rear implement the MX will struggle lifting 2,000lb. As I said, I was able to unload half of a pallet of concrete bags onto another pallet and move both pallets to the barn, but it was on the ragged edge. I doubt I could have lifted the pallet any higher than the height of the trailer which is 30" or thereabouts. I don't need to move heavy pallets around much but last summer I was lifting a disc harrow and two turnover plows off the trailer. I didn't even try to use the MX for the harrow, and I had to switch to the M when lifting the JD 825 turnover plow off the trailer. It was too heavy for the MX.

 

[hedgerow]

Good for you that you have that option, and in a perfect world we'd all have tractors, skid-steers, excavators, forklifts etc., but in the real world many of us have to make do with a one-size-fits- all approach.

So how much have you lifted with your MX? Of how much would you feel comfortable lifting? The answers to these questions might be more useful to the OP.

So some real world numbers for you on the MX6000 open station three wheel weights on each side. Tires not loaded and a seven foot bush hog on the three point. Late last summer I had 160 acres of CRP cut and baled {BIG ROUND}. The guy that did the haying had a JD baler with a scale and they averaged 1600 pounds. Most of the farm is not even close to level. I probably loaded a couple hundred bales with the MX6000. Deck over flat beds and a couple semi flat beds. It handled them well but trying to go two high I would have to be on the up side of the trailer on the side hill. The S-850 was a lot nicer loading bales but it was nice to have two loaders on opposite sides of the farm. If I only had one tractor to do a lot of 2000 pound pallets, bales or what ever the MX6000 wouldn't be the tractor. On my farm the MX isn't the go to loader tractor but its handy when another one is not around.

 

[hodge]

It sounds like the MX5400 is marginal, at best, for the task. Don't trust sales people. Listen to those who have experience.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: Sales person at Kubota felt strongly that it could do the job.

get HIM to SHOW you at the dealership or close by business !! have HIM unload a 2000# skid of somethng.
Say that If HE can do it 3 x , then you'll buy the machine. Him, the sales guy NOT the mechanic. Please, send us the video of it !!!

Have you considered buying a used/abused forklift ? if you don't need 17 government stickers on it or a license, probably several 4000# forklifts you could consider ? I paid less than $2000 for my 5000# 'outdoor' Buda powered forklift 17-18 years ago, paid for itself over 20times by now. Yes, it's 'rough around the edges' but everyone appreciates the old gal !

Have no idea what a 'hog feeder' weighs or how to haul it... but maybe a buy smaller tractor for that purpose ? Could you put wheels on one end and lift with 3PH and tow ??

options, always think of options......I'm glad you're asking BEFORE you buy, hate to hear 'I shouldn't have bought it' story....

 

[rc51stierhoff]

IMO, it’s asking a lot and requires a couple things…1. Ballast. 2. Smooth hand on the loader. 3. Depending on the what you mean by tote bag, if you mean super sack, just remember that the slings are at the top so loader has to be up…if you have to move, that a big ask at the limit of capacity. Thats less than ideal…can it lift the weight? If ballasted it can lift it…moving safely is different. IMO limit of capacity is very different from SWLL moving across terrain that may not be level. Just my opinion. Without ballast don’t try it…take that for what it’s worth. Just remember at some point with a sac, to get it off the trailer, it has the potential to swing if everything you do is not smooth. In my opinion you need a forklift (I used to do a forklift for a job with super sacks of coffee grounds)…take the advice or not, but the sacks will swing if not careful…if it is a sac…sacs very different than a tote…if one of the sacs has a sling that slips off your fork I hope you have seatbelt on and a bit guard…totes slosh, so if a tote that’s an issue just the same though. Good luck. If you or dealer try it get some video for us.

 

[edritchey]

This comes up all the time and I know I've said this a lot. "I burn wood bricks they come one ton per skid I unload 8 skids of them from a flatbed trailer and double stack them in my garage with my MX5800 or my MX5400 they do the job on a paved flat lot. It is all they can do to pull this off and I'm glad I only have to do it once a year." I have approximately 1500lbs of combined counter weight on the back of the tractors when I do this but the tractor is at its very limit.

 

[viejo79]

Thanks everyone for the input, EXACTLY what I was hoping to learn from this group! Time to rethink the plan. Spoke with a larger operation and they run an M7060 and have no issues unloading. May be time to get some manual tractor lessons.