OrangeKrush
Well-known member
Equipment
BX2680, LA344 with Piranha tooth bar, LP PF 1242, LP Rear Blade, KK 60" BB
Pointless Upgrade?
- Thread starter Grindstone
- Start date
lol
NCL4701
Well-known member
Equipment
L4701, T2290, WC68, grapple, BB1572, Farmi W50R, Howes 500, 16kW IMD gen, WG24
Kind of depends on what exactly you’re doing with those IBC totes full of green firewood whether this is pertinent or not.
If you’re just moving them and have no real need to lift them higher than the 3 point can lift them (yes I’m aware you said you normally run with a backhoe) you could get 3 point forks and move them with the 3 point. I don’t know exactly what your loader will lift or what exactly the 3 point will lift, but unless it’s a quite unusual setup the 3 point will lift a good bit more than the loader, and generally be more stable while doing it.
Might not suit your situation at all. If it does, it’s a lot cheaper than upgrading to a bigger machine.
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Edit: I now see BigG beat me to the same suggestion.
If you’re just moving them and have no real need to lift them higher than the 3 point can lift them (yes I’m aware you said you normally run with a backhoe) you could get 3 point forks and move them with the 3 point. I don’t know exactly what your loader will lift or what exactly the 3 point will lift, but unless it’s a quite unusual setup the 3 point will lift a good bit more than the loader, and generally be more stable while doing it.
Might not suit your situation at all. If it does, it’s a lot cheaper than upgrading to a bigger machine.
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Edit: I now see BigG beat me to the same suggestion.
fried1765
Well-known member
Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
"I bought too small to begin with"
Unfortunately, you violated the first rule of tractoring!
BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR !
They are offering the 0% here at my dealer. Maybe not for 84 months. Good luck.
The L2501 does have a lot more power than a B2601. Don’t be confused by the HP number. The L2501 is a lot larger tractor with a lot more torque and much larger displacement engine. Go look at the displacement and weight.
However, I think the best choice for a significant upgrade would be a Grand L4060LE in a cab or not with the upgraded loader, or a MX5400 with Cab or not.
However, I think the best choice for a significant upgrade would be a Grand L4060LE in a cab or not with the upgraded loader, or a MX5400 with Cab or not.
I have 3pt forks for my B2601. It lifts a hell of a lot more on the rear. Forks are really inexpensive - mine fit both the rear 3ph, and the front (pin on quick attach). Definitely makes sense to try this first, and it could be really useful if it means you can leave your grapple on while you move things - less changing of implements.
I lift things with my 3pt quite high. Neighbours have a bank that I use as a loading bank. I can get things off delivery trucks with my forks, or off my trailer. Just takes a bit of thinking. Sounds like you have a large enough property you could easily build a loading ramp if you wanted. That would allow you to do a lot of things.
On the lift capacity of the L - it's only a little bit more to full height. But full height on an L is a lot more than full height on a B. You need to look at the loader curve - I believe the L loader will lift a lot more than the B to 'just off the ground'.
It sounds like the B is doing most of what you need. If it's only the totes, and if moving to 3ph forks solves that problem, then no new tractor needed.
In terms of calculating weight - my approach would be to work out what the B currently lifts. You say it lifts a half full tote. A full tote will weigh twice as much. If you want to lift a full tote, you need a tractor with twice the lift capacity (if it's working to the same % of its max capacity as the B is). Close enough. The L isn't twice. The MX is getting there, as is the Grand L. That's a lot of tractor to get down your trails though, so a few things would change.
I lift things with my 3pt quite high. Neighbours have a bank that I use as a loading bank. I can get things off delivery trucks with my forks, or off my trailer. Just takes a bit of thinking. Sounds like you have a large enough property you could easily build a loading ramp if you wanted. That would allow you to do a lot of things.
On the lift capacity of the L - it's only a little bit more to full height. But full height on an L is a lot more than full height on a B. You need to look at the loader curve - I believe the L loader will lift a lot more than the B to 'just off the ground'.
It sounds like the B is doing most of what you need. If it's only the totes, and if moving to 3ph forks solves that problem, then no new tractor needed.
In terms of calculating weight - my approach would be to work out what the B currently lifts. You say it lifts a half full tote. A full tote will weigh twice as much. If you want to lift a full tote, you need a tractor with twice the lift capacity (if it's working to the same % of its max capacity as the B is). Close enough. The L isn't twice. The MX is getting there, as is the Grand L. That's a lot of tractor to get down your trails though, so a few things would change.
Can I ask which 3 point forks you have? Also, how easy are they to use on uneven terrain?
I do have front forks already. Is a reverse plate something I would need to fab up or can be purchased and attached to existing forks? I don't have access to a welder.
While your B may muster the job, you also have to look at the long game- how long will the B hold up if you are working it to its max limits?
Depending on how much money difference there is if you do a change, you could possibly pick up a skid steer for that amount of money. We bought a Bobcat 743, $6500, and it is a workhorse. Its lift rating of 1300lbs is pretty good, along with its maneuverability- it will do things that a tractor with a loader won't. Ours handles 1000 lb round bales with ease. It's a thought, if it would be a financial advantage.
Depending on how much money difference there is if you do a change, you could possibly pick up a skid steer for that amount of money. We bought a Bobcat 743, $6500, and it is a workhorse. Its lift rating of 1300lbs is pretty good, along with its maneuverability- it will do things that a tractor with a loader won't. Ours handles 1000 lb round bales with ease. It's a thought, if it would be a financial advantage.
They are just a few clicks away…I thinking if you search 3pt to SSQA adapter plate or reverse plate you will find what you are looking for.
Attachments
Good points hodge. A reason for my thinking I may need to upgrade was due to how much excessive stress I may have been putting on the front axles (thats why I wanted to ask here first). If the rear forks would alleviate that stress that may be better for the short term (or long term) or as long as it takes for one of these fine members to talk me into something larger.
I have a smaller and older B7200 that i have used for better part of 30 years. It was asked to move a lot of stuff that pressed it to the limit and beyond and I found lots of workarounds for the bigger jobs.
Last year I purchased an L3901 and the added size and lifting power has made my life a lot easier. . Naturally I have found things that now press the bigger machine to the limit and beyond but its not stuff I do on a regular basis. Its sort of the nature of tractor ownership.
I had a real need for something larger than the B. I don't need something larger than the L but i cant help but want a larger tractor from time to time. You are the only one that can really evaluate your need from your want. I can say I let my cheap skate nature keep me from upsizing way to long. If my wife had not suggested a new tractor I would probably still be waiting.....
Dan
I had a B2601 and upgraded to the L2501. The L2501 is substantially more tractor regardless of the specifications. My B2601 was struggling lifting logs, removing stumps and heavy ground engagement work. The L2501 completes all these same tasks effortlessly. I could have gone with a Grand L, or MX (which would be awesome) but, ultimately, the L2501 is the perfect sized tractor for my property.
And, perhaps its worth mentioning...I sold my B2601 for only $1K less than I paid new (minus tax). Had I waited for the next buyer, I would have recouped all my investment and more.
Mike
And, perhaps its worth mentioning...I sold my B2601 for only $1K less than I paid new (minus tax). Had I waited for the next buyer, I would have recouped all my investment and more.
Mike
OrangeKrush
Well-known member
Equipment
BX2680, LA344 with Piranha tooth bar, LP PF 1242, LP Rear Blade, KK 60" BB
Isn't each step up in series a larger more powerful hydraulics system? I know even though the BX 2680 has basically the same hp as the B 2601 the engine displacement is different and the hydraulic system is much more capable .
OOH, something I actually (think I) know. I calculated yesterday that a 275 g tote full of green green ash was about 1250 #. Burr Oak around 1500#. Much less after it dries. The totes seem plenty tough, even after I cut some access holes in a long side.
My L can pick up either but I like a lot of weight in back (for safety and front-axle longevity). My plan is to hang a set of pallet forks off of the three point also. So, I can haul 2 w/ less axle strain and if I just want to move one I'll move it using the rear. I was going to fill an old furnace full of 2000# of metal and concrete, but I think the rear a pallet fork makes more sense (but costs more). Of course, I bent the cheapo 3-pt pallet fork yesterday, so that plan is on hold for now.
I'm in NZ, so not probably useful to you. They are these ones:
3 Point Linkage Pallet Forks 300kg | Adjustable Fork Tines | Compact Tractor NZ
Novaquip NPF300 3-point linkage pallet forks 300kg. Adjustable fork tines, 54kg frame, fold-up design. Cat 1, 15–45HP compact tractors. Pallet forks NZ.
www.implementsdirect.co.nz
I had them modified to take the pin on quick attach (a couple extra brackets added).
If you already have SSQA, then you can buy a plate that basically lets you attach SSQA things to your 3ph. Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/3-Point-Attachment-Universal-Quick-Attach-Equipment/dp/B008HS6KMO
Thank you. I was thinking of trying something like this in the meantime.I'm in NZ, so not probably useful to you. They are these ones:
3 Point Linkage Pallet Forks 300kg | Adjustable Fork Tines | Compact Tractor NZ
Novaquip NPF300 3-point linkage pallet forks 300kg. Adjustable fork tines, 54kg frame, fold-up design. Cat 1, 15–45HP compact tractors. Pallet forks NZ.
I had them modified to take the pin on quick attach (a couple extra brackets added).
If you already have SSQA, then you can buy a plate that basically lets you attach SSQA things to your 3ph. Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/3-Point-Attachment-Universal-Quick-Attach-Equipment/dp/B008HS6KMO
Pallet Forks, Pallet Fork, 3 Point Pallet Forks 3 Pt Pallet
Use these pallet forks to easily move pallets and cargo. With a 2000 lb. capacity, these 3-point pallet forks are convenient and easy to use.
www.agrisupply.com
Cheap and easy. Having two sets of forks rather than one that fits both ends means you can use both at the same time. However, those ones don't fold up, and don't adjust width. Those things are valuable to me. Depends what your storage space is like, and whether you might lift different sorts of loads with them.Thank you. I was thinking of trying something like this in the meantime.
Pallet Forks, Pallet Fork, 3 Point Pallet Forks 3 Pt Pallet
Use these pallet forks to easily move pallets and cargo. With a 2000 lb. capacity, these 3-point pallet forks are convenient and easy to use.