One of the most talked about topics surrounding tractors is the lift capacity of the FEL, which is short for Front End Loader. With manufacturers using varying criteria to show the specification for FEL lift capacity on their models, how can you be sure you're getting something that will lift what you expect it to?
The best answer is to have experience, or counsel with someone who's experienced. But what if you don't have that option?
Let's take a look at a few competitive comparison's below. The first two machines which are highlighted in gray are 35hp compact machines, and are direct competitors. The second two machines are larger frame 50hp compact-utility machines, and are also direct competitors. You'll notice that for things like weight and max lift height, all 4 units have the same basic categories of how those specs are listed. With the lift capacity, you'll notice there's several different measurements, and not all the machines show the information for each measurement. There are plenty of good youtube videos that talk about the exact differences between these types of lift measurements - and I don't want to get too deep in the weeds here, but a few things that can be deduced from the specs below and that are important to note are:
Lift capacity is greater at lower lift heights than it is at maximum height.
Lift capacity is diminished when the load moves farther out front (think pallet forks vs your dirt bucket, which is not as long and keeps the load closer to the tractor).
The 50hp compact utility tractors are much heavier, lift higher, and have much more lift capacity than the 35hp compact tractors.
Kioti CK3520H | Kubota L3302HST | Kioti NS5310H | Kubota MX5400HST | |
Tractor Base Weight | 2734lbs | 2778lbs | 4027lbs | 3734lbs |
Max Lift Height | 98.4 | 94.8" | 106.3" | 111.2" |
Lift Capacity to Max Height at pivot pins | ? | 1144lbs | 2621lbs | 2275lbs |
Lift Capacity to 59" at pivot pins | 1835lbs | 1506lbs | ? | ? |
Lift Capacity 500mm Forward | ? | ? | ? | 1691lbs |
After taking a good look at the chart above, it looks like in both the compact and the compact utility sizes, Kioti is the top dog when it comes to loader lift capacity. Can we conclude there? First, let's make sure we're asking the right questions.
Is Kubota incapable of engineering more lift capacity into their models?
If the CK3520H and L3302HST weigh roughly the same, how well can the CK3520H handle 25% more loader lift capacity?
If my loader is able to lift something, does that mean I'm able to carry that amount safely from point A to point B?
We'll evaluate these questions, one at a time.
Is Kubota incapable of engineering more lift capacity into their models?
I think Kubota could easily increase the loader lift capacity of their models if they chose to. They could probably do it simply by increasing the hydraulic pressure to the loader cylinders. That change could likely be made overnight. The question here is, what's keeping them from making that choice? Japanese companies tend to be conservative in nature. I think Kubota has set a threshold for what they think a particular size tractor should be able to lift and carry, and they've stuck to it. Kioti has been very aggressive with their marketing and machine capability, which isn't a bad thing. It is however something to take note of.
If the CK3520H and L3302HST weigh roughly the same, how well can the CK3520H handle 25% more loader lift capacity?
I must confess, I have created marketing content in the past showing compact tractors lifting near their max rating. At the time, I truly was impressed that the machines could do it. It's all on video and is probably still on youtube somewhere. There were no gimmicks or tricks in the content I made, but I can tell you with complete certainty, I wasn't comfortable carrying those max loads any distance on a parking lot, much less over varying terrain. While the machines could pick the load up, I don't believe it would have been safe to try and move the load. In my opinion, the more conservative rating Kubota has is more appropriate for that size tractor. In a real world scenario, having operated both of these machines, I consider them to be very similar in overall capability and performance, each having their own strengths and weaknesses. Having said that, sometimes you may run across the scenario where the extra static lift capability of the Kioti lends itself useful.
If my loader is able to lift something, does that mean I'm able to carry that amount safely from point A to point B?
I touched on this in the last section, and this is where I believe the main takeaway from this entire article is. The overall size/class of the machine is MUCH more important to me than finding the machine in a specific size/class that has the best specs. If you need to move a 4x5 round bale once a year because you buy one as a fall decoration, you could probably get away with using the CK3520 or L3302 to get the job done, as long as you have the tractor ballasted correctly and you don't have difficult terrain to navigate. If you have cattle, and you need to move lots of 4x5 bales in the snow, rain and mud, up and down hills and around obstacles, the CK3520 or L3302 is going to fail miserably. You would have to move up in size to something like the MX or NS to perform that task, and in many cases, a full size utility tractor is best suited for that role (think Kioti RX7320, Deere 5075E, or Kubota M7060). Application is EVERYTHING, and choosing the right size/class of tractor is perhaps the most critical part of the buying decision.
Final Thoughts
I use to believe that finding the tractor with the best specs and features for it's size was a virtuous quest, and once you found the top dog, you purchased it (well, you went and found the best deal on it first, am I right?). To some degree, I have changed my tune on that over the years. When it comes to loader lift capacity - I think it's wise to assume the average lift capacity in the tractor class you're looking at is going to be close to real world capability instead of thinking that the machine that has the highest rating in the class is going to have a magical capability the other machines just don't have. And if that average amount is less than what you need it to be, or if you're going to be at the maximum often, I think it's time to seriously consider moving up a size or two in machine class.
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