Fantastic! Having spent a large portion of my working career in the material handling industry and having trained hundreds of operators, this is information that needs to be passed on to the consumer. Load centers, centers of gravity and stability are all related to safe operation. I would like to see a video on the movement of the center of gravity as the bucket is lifted and it’s effect on stability as I see many operators carry their load high in the air. Carrying a load low is not only proper, but also safer. Overall, your videos are informative and well done. Keep up the good work!
Love your videos, This young man is extremely knowlegable about the products he talks about. Its almost like going to a factory Kabota school. Great job
Unbelievable, I learned so much. 😊 I can not tell you how much I appreciate your videos. You are filling a much needed vacuum or void of good basic tractor information to the tractor community.
The Kubota dealership near me charged $600 for the universal bucket attachment that you stated is "free". I bought a Massey-Ferguson instead and have never been happier.
500mm forward...so that's why my MX5200 that i remembered being rated to lift roughly 2,300 lb won't pick up that 2,000 lb outdoor furnace lol. Thanks again! I came back to this video just because I remembered you had addressed this lift spec detail somewhere.
You make the best tractor videos. Now that tractors are becoming more and more common in the average household (we as Americans are spolied, but that's a different subject) with operators who have had little to no machine experience, your topics are perfect. Thanks again, you really do the public a great service.
Good video Neil. This is something that I've been struggling with lately. I'm in the need to essentially lift ~1700# pallets of firewood just high enough to move them around. Talking with the dealers, they tell you that you need a tractor that will have a LA768 loader on them as a minimum. Well, no. Those will lift 1700# based on the pin location all the way up to the full height of the loader. But what about a pallet, where it extends out approximately 3.5 feet, and you're only lifting it about 1 foot. That's way more than the 500mm away from the pin, the load is pretty evenly balanced over that 4'x3.5', and you're only lifting 12"-18". Yeah, it's really hard to figure out exactly what your minimum is to do a specific task.
Your videos are great! The multifunction is a big deal that played a big part in me choosing a BX over a 1025r. I ordered my BX2380 yesterday and will get it next week!!! Your other video stressing the importance of getting out and sitting in the seat is invaluable in making the right choice for you. Also, my dealer was like... Ever hear of the RU-vid channel for a dealer in the US? I knew he was taking about you before he said Messicks. He wished he had you working for him!
Very seldom do I worry about lift capacity. As a farmer the MOST important thing for a loader is visibility especially with pallet forks. Everything else comes second to that. That is one thing the manufacturers don't seem to realize. I have run across it over and over the loaders are getting more and more powerful, faster level lift. But if you can't see the forks forget about it being useful.
Thank you! Exactly the point I'm trying to make. The manufacturers are only catering to the customers obsession about the wrong statistic, can you blame them?
I agree about the visibility. When I purchased my QA forks for my L6060 I was disappointed that it is very difficult to see the fork tips with 48" forks. Unfortunately having a skidsteer or forklift is impractical, at least for most hobby farm owners. I had the same problem on my last NH tractor. However, I think it's the nature of how the smaller tractors are built that causes the hood to be in the way. I'll add that I think most folks are likely looking at lift capacity to know how much they can offload from their truck or trailer when they come back from town. If I could lift a ton pallet, that saves a lot of time when purchasing things in bulk since most retail stores put about a ton on a pallet. I'm sure a lot of other people think similarly. When I made my purchase last December, I found capacity numbers to be all over the place, with no solid explanation behind them as stated in the video. Granted I took some of the information into consideration when I could compare apples to apples, but not down to the single digits. A lot of it for me was dealer responsiveness to my questions, how serious I felt they took my purchase, and in general how well I liked the tractor I was looking at (nit pick personal things). Ironically I bet those lift numbers don't even include the bucket, let alone forks, grapples, or whatever lift implements you put on the front. I didn't even think of that when I made my purchase, forks weigh 300+#, so subtract that from the number. Dulh! :)
Basically every farmer I talk to find the loaders are hard to near impossible to see with. And always wish the manufacturer would design them to see the forks.
Most of the quick attach systems are not worth it and the skid steer forks are worth more as junk iron. Generally to see the forks at ground level is to lean to the side just a bit and look beside the hood. Skid-steer quick attach seem to like and cover that view point over. I have used old and new and many different brands. And the best I have found was a 1390 case with a homemade fork. I can stack pallets more square and faster with it then a forklift. And the worst was a mx100 I have yet to find any place in the cab to see the forks.
New Holland had a tc series for a while that was really good with forks. This tractor really suffered what I described in this video. The loader stuck way out in front of the machine for great visibility but because of that I couldn't lift very much.
That's why I appreciated the work of people like Tractor Time with Tim who actually test the capacities and find out. I think he found the Kubota lifts less than the equivalent JD because the geometry of the loader puts the bucket further out.
I've owned the "other" orange tractor for six years now and I love it today as much as the day it was delivered. I'd put it up against this tractor any day of the week. Nuff said.
Neil, Have you ever made a bad video? I think not. Sometimes I wish I lived in PA., and near your dealership. I would buy a 3350 with a 534 loader from you in a heartbeat. I loves me some Kubbys.
Great video explaining the truth about lift capacity. I'm shopping for a tractor and on paper a Kioti NX series will lift around 2700 pounds but in the real world a 1600 lb bundle of metal is the heaviest bundle it would pick up off my trailer. I am a metal roofing contractor and I took multiple weighted bundles of metal to the dealer to see what it could actually pick up. 2K was a no-go but when I drop down to the 1600 pound bundle it found its sweet spot I found that the real world lift capacity is closer to 70% of the lift pan capacity companies list
I'm in the market for a new tractor. So what would be the smallest tractor that could unload a ton of wood pellets from the back of a truck and safely transport them on pavement? That's probably the heaviest thing I had to lift and have to do that job every 35 days during the winter.
I'm curious as well because I am looking at the Kubota M5660 and John Deere 5055e to lift one ton pallets but I'm wondering if they will do the job, and if an MX5400 would do it with a 2,200ish pound capacity.
Your video's help me decide on a Kubota...very articulate and help explain what is what. Helped me understand it's more than just number vs. number on manufacturer's spec sheets. Thank you! Also, I can appreciate the fact that you never directly name competitor's, helps make you appear more impartial and honest over people that directly attack a specific green competitor lol
I don't know why you're talking about the green competitor but if you'd have done some research, you'd know that their spec sheets include lift capacity at pivot and 500mm ahead of pivot. In fact, overall you'll get more infos than on Kubota spec sheet.
The problem I ran acrost is I wanted a sub compact tractor for around the house. A sub compact can almost do everything I wanted except for 2 thing. Unloading a ton of pellets, I havent tried it yet but I'm pretty sure I cant do it. To get something with enough lifting capacity youd have to buy a massive tractor. I know that's having my cake and eating it too but it would be nice to have a sub compact that could unload a tin of pellets. Even if it was an attachment that went into the tractor. Still researching how to get it done
Great video. Everything mentioned in this video is overlooked by so many people. Nice job on this one Neil! Edit: I purchased a 17' JD 2032r over the Kubota for small reasons. One was I can't stand a tredal pedal and the JD loader arms were tucked in closer to the machine than the Kubota, I have allot of tight trails where length matters, shorter is better in this case. But the lift height was better on the Kubota.
Kubota better be giving you free vacations and a tractor! Great videos, you’re a better salesman than for Kubota than Kubota itself. I bought a Kubota l3801 based on your recommendations
Having worked construction most of my life the limited rollback on tractor loaders has always annoyed me. A real loader with the bucket rolled back can be filled completely with wet materials like concrete, a tractor loader bucket rolled back will hold less than half it's capacity simply because it doesn't travel far enough, I've seen many where the floor of the bucket is almost level with the ground still when rolled back fully.
I got a Branson 2515H. With fluid filled rear tires and the 60 inch brush hog on the back, the loader can easily lift the rear tires off the ground. (a pallet of 1 ft square 3 inch thick concrete pavers. 12 per layer 8 layers. Estimated 2100 lbs. 4 less pavers and the tires stay on the ground.) I did the math after the tires came off the ground... I don't think it needs a higher loader lift capacity than that, regardless of what the numbers say. The tractor would be unsafe lifting that to above the hood even if I put on enough ballast. Its rated to lift 2000 to full height. But just because the rating says it can, doesn't mean you should.
This video was excellent and it begets a question. How does one know how much hydraulic "power" they need? You mention coincidental functions like lifting and curling. I find I need more power while trying to push the loader into a pile of soil, lifting and curling the bucket. Does one function rob power from the others?
even operators of 10,000lb track loaders will tell you they could use more roll back force. A tractor is not a bull dozer, it won't rip through anything you put it into. Work into the pile, push into it, backup, break up the dirt, then lift. If you really need power. dropping the skid-loader coupler will help. The 3-4" that moves your pivot point out can make a big difference in that specification. multiple functions can spread out power, the fluid will always flow the path of least resistance. I find myself going to that multi-function location and waiting to see where it moves first sending power to both circuits.
I heard from another service dealer that Kubota is having problems with their loaders. I believe he said that the hydraulic pump was causing the loader to overpower itself and break the loader somehow. And the worst part about hearing it was Kubota would not cover it under the warranty. They would classify it as abuse. Is this true and have you seen it in your shop?
I tested a different orange tractor I could not find the corners of the loader controls. With in 5 seconds I was operating the Kubota. I was leaning hard toward the other orange tractor till the loader controls frustrated me. The next video on loaders show the lift curve. GP outdoors done a video on that and he explained why the loader can lift so much more at lower height. Thanks and good video 👍
I think this points out an important design detail the engineers need to consider. They have, and probably still are, designing for the load due to a bucket of dirt. But now quick couplers are standard, and pallet forks or other heavier components are likely to be used. The design criteria needs to change. With the right valves, a dual cylinder loader could be built where only one is used during normal use, and the second would kick in when the load was heavy. The first providing fast movement and the second load capacity. You could have relatively small tractors lifting 3000lbs (assuming ballast for stability was there and the front axle was designed to handle it).
Great info here, but I find it interesting how hard it is to find these loader specs on some manufacturers website. Most list the capacities to the pins at full height, others make you sift through several links to find any info and do not differentiate these subtle testing "cheats". I suspect (no actual proof mind you) that even with the "over inflated" lifting capacities listed on some manufacturers products, when lifting capacities are taken at the quick attach point and 500mm out, are still very similar to the Kubby. I also do not own a tractor with a loader, just an observation.
What kubota would you recommend for lifting a 2200lb pallet off a semi truck trailer, cut and bail 10 acres and build or maintain roads in 10 acres of forest land. I'm thinking of a L47?
What do you expect a kabota dealer to say? Their loaders do not lift as much as some of the competition, period. Just because a tractor can lift more does not mean it lacks in other areas either.
Another great video Neil! I am looking at a L3901 from a dealer here in Ontario Canada. General use around the property including logging for firewood and a mill. Will be purchasing a Grapple to pick up 10-12 foot logs. I am trying to find a grapple that would adequately do the task. I know I would need loaded tires and a ballast setup at the rear. Not many options for grapples up here. In the Land Pride catalogue the SGC1060 (356lb w/out hitch) was suggested. The ones I initially looked at would be too heavy...in the 800-900lb range. The L3901 with LA525 loader is rated for 1131lb at pivot. Would this be a good match for this loader?
I am going to go out on a limb here and say in the older days of tractors when they used the rear taps for the loader multi function was not happening lol.
I don't know their equipment very well. If the quick coupler is optional (odds are it is) than the specifications in the brochures are going to be for the pin-on buckets, not the QA buckets. This is different than most kubota models at this point that are disadvantaged by making the QA standard equipment.
When I look at loader, I look front hitch we have automatic locking pins which I don’t have get out of tractor. Second I look at hydraulic output not ram size which save me time. I hate John Deere front hitch spring pins that snap off and New Holland choice Challenge (Australia) loader with manufacturing n hitch design. If going to lift load match to size of tractor it hairy driving load let alone wear n tear on front end steering.
I wish I was in the business, so I could buy a tractor or something from Messick's. What a great business! How about a Tshirt? I'll buy a shirt from you, Neil!
SimonTekConley this is the one spec people always overlook and the manufacturers need to get serious about listing their Mercury weights. What farmer never hauls bucketfulls of Mercury?
xprocharged1 in jr high, my 8th grade science teacher had a gallon of mercury on his desk, said sure you can have it if you can pick it up. Yeah, no one could pick it up
why? i work at a Deere dealer and i watch Messick's videos. The guy knows what's he talking about and many of his videos are about tractors in general. This one for instance is a good informative and completely true video. I don't see why any particuliar brand should feel offended...
Jeremy Fortune nobody really anymore. There is a pin in bucket on the bx series, but Kubota always offers a skid steer coupler if not standard. Deere loves making proprietary couplers, but usually offers a skid steer attachment for around an extra 300 bucks. Pretty much every tractor over 65 horsepower have ALO or Euro couplers.
Andy Lindenaar ha ha. We used to have a few acres and after years of my wife suggesting it (I could do 75% of everything I needed to to with Range Rover and trailer) I finally bought a Kubota and loved it. We sold up and bought commercial property, last year we moved into a first floor flat (what you'd call a second floor apartment), which included a 20ft by 20ft grass lawn for each family. I was straight onto eBay for another Kubota, sadly before I found one a groundskeeper came and cut the grass, which was repeated every week...
Some good points but has Excuses why kabota doesn't have the best lifting capacity on paper from my experience on skidsteers when they say max lift, doesn't matter what brand kabota included when testing once it might a got the weight of the ground but just barely and that's what they call max lift in reality it's a couple hundred kgs less
You're proving my point. Skid steers have a lifting capacity and tip load. You're right that you're not going to safely lift what's on those spec sheets for lifting capacity. It's nothing more than a marketing number.
I do not understand. If a Kubota says it can lift 1100 lbs and the same class but different brand, let’s say Mahindra or RK says it can lift 1500 then that would be better. If Kubota’s lifts double the weight at low height then so would a tractor that had higher lift compacities.
the point is that there is far more to loader operation than just simply lift capacity. Reach for example, is really important if you want to load a truck or trailer, but having reach lowers lift. Having good roll back is important because it keeps you from dumping your load, but you can't have good rollback with a steep loader arm... again impacting lift. What you need is adequate lift for the size and weight tractor you have, and a good trade off of other geometry that makes the loader nice to use. Its not the singular end all and be all spec that people often look at it as.
Every Manufacturer whether it's tractors or pickup truck towing capacities fudges the numbers or brags on their strong points while ignoring there weak points.I guess the ROPS is folded for demo.purposes only? Naughty Naughty
Owning both Deere and Kubota, I can say for certain that the multi function ability of the orange tractor loader is superior to the green one. However, I like both machines for different reasons.
You said good old ford or new holland i didnt know they existed lol im a JD guy the good ol 2 cylinder models i bought a 45w loader for my 520 i maxed out what i can lift picking a log up on the manure tines does the jobs i need it to do so thats what matters to me
In my experience working on all forms of machines and equipment from all over the world, the Germans are proud, the Americans are cheap, and the Japanese are honorable. Kubota is a Japanese corporation and the Japanese strive for honor, and it shows in their products.
