Using a Loader

[Sam.coots]

I recently bought a ls tractor.
Aka nh boomer. The problem is not the loader lift capacity. But the rear end weight. Imo. Hp might be important but the overall weight and frame build matters a lot. I would rather have a tractor that weighed a 1000# more even giving up a few Ponys.

 

[Mike Van]

Aaron - If these logs are headed for a mill, yours or someone else's, dirt is going to be your worst enemy. Dragging, pushing, rolling, whatever, logs in the dirt wants to be avoided whenever it can be. Unless you really like sharpening blades. Get a machine big enough to pick 98% of the logs your going to do. If you put forks on the edge of a bucket, you lose a lot of lift capacity.

 

[AaronB]

I recently bought a ls tractor.
Aka nh boomer. The problem is not the loader lift capacity. But the rear end weight. Imo. Hp might be important but the overall weight and frame build matters a lot. I would rather have a tractor that weighed a 1000# more even giving up a few Ponys.

Lots of ways to weigh the back end down, wheter using something on the 3pt or using the hitch with a cart loaded with stuff, it can be done and something that I may have to do no matter what I get.

Aaron - If these logs are headed for a mill, yours or someone else's, dirt is going to be your worst enemy. Dragging, pushing, rolling, whatever, logs in the dirt wants to be avoided whenever it can be. Unless you really like sharpening blades. Get a machine big enough to pick 98% of the logs your going to do. If you put forks on the edge of a bucket, you lose a lot of lift capacity.

I hear ya, I am trying to find the right balance for the tractor do do the garden/mowing type stuff and then log lifting. I kind of like the specs on that 5200 I showed in my previous post, doesn't seem to to big or to small.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Know anything about this tractor? 4600 hours seems kind of high (to me anyway), but it is MFWD and has a loader rated at 2500.

Your right, it is way too many hours...at least for someone who doesn't know what to look for in a used tractor...

SR

 

[Dave Boyt]

Are you sure you want to go big enough to pick up an occasional oversized log? I have loaded oak logs 10' by 40" using a ramp, winch, and parbuckle. I've been getting along with an 8N Ford for years, but just got a 4WD Case-IH 485 (53 hp). WOW! Huge difference, but it still won't pick up the big stuff. Lots of good used iron out there if you're patient and keep your eyes open.

 

[firebrick43]

Know anything about this tractor? 4600 hours seems kind of high (to me anyway), but it is MFWD and has a loader rated at 2500.

Sorry about seeing so late.

They are not bad tractors per say but I would still take my 2020 or a 1530 or a 2940 especially on price.

4600 hours is about half life on a tractor depending on how it used and abused. It's high for its age but not for a tractor in general. Loader work is hard on a farm tractor especially people who tries to use the like a bulldozer to push dirt and dig holes. Tractors used for constant field work last 8-10000 hours normally and I know a few with 14000. But that is rare and there has been quiet a bit of maintenance and good preventative maintenance along the way.



From the pictures (from what I can see) it doesn't look to bad. It's probably getting close to a fuel pump rebuild that will take 600-1000 dollars depending on the shop and if I was buying it I would roll in a set of rod and crank bearings(assuming it could be done with just dropping the pan on that engine)

On the plus side it has a joy stick controls for the loader. Most older tractors don't but can be retrofitted for 400-600 dollars. See if it's a cable controls to the valve or if the joystick controls the valve directly. Cable controls can be trouble if you ever let the tractor set out and then try to use it in freezing weather.

The new tractor has a rollbar as well. My rollbar and seatbelt cost 620 dollars several years ago and provides a solid piece of mind. It's not the for you, it for family and friends, wear your belt.

The awning is nice most of the time but unless your in a well trimmed or mature forest it needs to come off or you will tear it up.

Make sure any tractor you get has 2 remotes at the back. It very expensive and sometime difficult to get decades after the fact.