Again, thanks for more input.
The numbers on the Kubota FEL's are supposed to be it's lifting capacity, i.e., 535kg, at the bucket pivot pins on the boom. Obviously, these are marketing numbers, and most of the lifting capacity will be determined by the max pressure of the pump on the tractor and position of the boom, yada yada yada. The lifting capacity is not linear as the boom goes up either because of the changing angle of the boom cylinder through the lift path. I think I saw this on one of Messick's videos, but I'll just refer to my LA535 owners manual. I'm thinking that the number may actually mean how much it can lift at the point where the lift cylinder attaches to the boom. Or, maybe the book is compensating for the weight of the SSQA, but i seriously doubt it weighs 100Kg. Dunno. The more the cylinders are extended, the less it can lift, and also the more danger of a cylinder buckling. I could probably do the cipherin' and gazintas and calclulate the actual lift capacity with a little geometry based on measured pump pressure, but I'll just reference my OM's and allow myself a little fudge factor.
My bucket isn't very heavy (80Kg) if it's a 54" bucket. I don't remember if I've measured it, but it doesn't look 4-1/2 feet wide or any wider than my 48" box blade, but like I said, can't say I've actually measured it or I've slept twice since I did. I was able to roll it over with two bad shoulders (rotator cuff surgery on both) when I was drilling the holes for the grab hooks and D-rings. I located the grab hooks and d-rings as close as possible to the pivot pins. That allows me to use max lifting capacity of the boom without the bucket interfering (other than it's own weight). At the pivot pins, according to the FEL manual, it can lift 465 Kg/1067 lbs. Maybe it should be called an LA464
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Lifting with a fork would shift the weight at least a foot forward of the pins, and besides that, I don't have a fork anyway. I'm pretty sure I couldn't lift it with forks at all. The tables for the FEL show lift capacity at 500mm forward of the pins to be 769 lbs (349Kg). When I roll my bucket fully forward, my d-rings are actually about 4-6" behind the bucket pivot pins (advantage) and the grab hooks are about 10 inches forward of the pivot pin(disadvantage). This should center the load about 2 inches forward of the pivots assuming I can reach high enough to lift from the top. I think I might even be able to route my chain from the grab hooks around the back side of the bucket, which would shorten up the moment arm even more and actually put the centerline of the load behind the pivot pins of the bucket. There's always the option of removing the bucket to lose the weight (80Kg/176 lbs) which gives me max lifting capacity of the boom. I'd have to study the boom some to make sure I don't hurt anything using that tactic.
I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday, and I aced Statics and Dynamics courses in college, so I understand levers and loads pretty good. If I use the same technique you did (lift the load and drive the vehicle out from under it), I'm happy. If I can't lift it as packaged, I'll drag a trailer nearby, unload the loose parts from the crate (if the driver will allow me to disassemble the package on his truck) and skinny up the load a little. There's more ways to skin a cat besides jerking his a$$hole over his head, but that's also an acceptable method for involuntary disrobing of felines. There's probably at least 150-200 lbs of materials that can be removed fairly quickly from the crate with a WM-8H. I'll be at limit, but I'm smarter than a crate. The crate is nearly 120 lbs of the ship weight because of the steel in it. All I need is a patient driver. If it's on a truck with a lift gate, I got this! I'll drag it off onto some timbers so I can lighten the load to move it, or turn around and grab it with the 3-point quick hitch. The 3 point hitch on the LX2610 is good for 970 Kg/2139 lbs at the lift points and 760 Kg/1676 lbs 24" back from that. I"m assuming that's in the holes closest to the pivots for the lift arms. Bet I can move it. I'm certainly stubborn enough to.
I'm still in the break-in period on my LX (<20 hours on the clock), so I try not to run it over 2000-2100 RPM leaving myself a 400-500 RPM buffer. I can't imagine the pump not making full pressure at 2000. I've lifted the back end of the tractor a few times if I got a bite with the bucket on something it couldn't move(lifting on a stump). I don't make a habit of that, though, and will claim it was part of my learning curve with an FEL. That'll make ya pucker up a bit, and it's extremely dangerous for the FEL boom.
Lifting capacity is all about keeping the load centerline as close as possible to the fulcrum and the first point in contact with the ground, having the muscle to lift it, and finally the ballast to keep the other end on the ground. Worse come to worst, I can have it delivered to our shop at work where we have a lovely little 5000 lb forklift waiting, and use that to transfer it to my trailer. Me no dummy. I'll know exactly how much I have to lift before I give a delivery address. I don't have a nosey manager at the office now (Ding Dong, the witch is dead!), so that makes it even easier to get 'government' projects done.