Question for My Wise Friends

Hello All, I'm looking at a garden tractor with a lift bucket on it. I've done research on the tractor and the specs say it will lift 600 pounds. I'm wondering if it will do the job that I need done and that is to lift 4' logs off my utility trailer. My question is this: How much approx. would a 4' length and 18" diam. oak log weigh? I probably won't have one 18" diam. but using that as a max. Thanks Guys

 

An 18" diameter x 4' Oak log would weigh around 434 lbs if Northern Red Oak. Your tractor will lift that. Main thing will be having sufficient rear counterweight. Will likely need 500+ lbs to safely handle decent sized logs

Out of curiosity is it a Case Hyloader?

Here's my old Case/Ingersoll 648 which had a 600 lb capacity. First pic is Red Oak.

 

Impressive for our garden tractors. I have 4 Wheel Horse Tractors that I have used around the property for many years, unfortunately non have a loader. Had a chance years ago to get a nice one with loader, just didn't have the funds. I have always been impressed with the Case Tractors too. The tractor I'm looking at is a Power King, 14 HP with front loader and three point on back. I have heard they aren't too bad of a tractor, just not experienced with them. I have a friend that is really good with welding and fabricating, he would build me a ballast box for the rear. I've got the guy down to $4000, but still seems a little high, don't know.

 

4K is definitely high. Biggest issue with gt loaders is usually front wheel hubs, spindles, axles not beefy enough

 

I understand that for sure. I wouldn't be using it a lot, just for the occasional trailer load of logs I bring home and to lift rounds up to the splitter. We were looking at some of the new Kubota tractors, but the price they want (being retired) for something just to lift some firewood is hard to take. Also, something I was thinking about, how much do you need down pressure on the loader? I'm not sure, but I don't think this has any down pressure.

 

Unless you plan on doing a lot of grading the lack of down pressure isn’t that big a deal imo.

 

Ok. I appreciate all of the info and advise. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks again.

 

Just food for thought, & don't wanna come off badly here, but I just bought a 39 HP TYM T390 with loader 4X4 2000 model year at 585 hrs. for 7K. Tractor looks rough because it sat outside it's whole life, but it's solid. I think the $4K price tag is a bit much for what you're looking at.

 

I own a Kubota BX2660 and I wouldn't be comfortable lifting 400-500 lb logs off a trailer. Don't forget that the further out front of the bucket the less your lift capicty will be. Also the higher you need to lift the load will create less load capicty. You'll need plenty of rear ballast as well with a sub-compact tractor.
Just to add: ask if the seller will allow you to bring a 4-footer oak to the sale and try before you buy.

 

Well good or bad I pulled the trigger on the Power King tractor. Got him down quite a bit, paid off being patient. So far I like the tractor, picking up some rear wheel weights for it this week. I want to load the tires for extra weight, manual recommends 75%. I'm trying to figure out how many gallons that is per tire on 8.o x16 tires.

 

Rim Guard has an online chart. I believe it's 12 gallons for each 8x16

 

Look for an ariens GT with a loader. They are nearly indestructible. I saw one with a loader and 60" deck, as well as 48" blower and I think even a rear tiller and a cab for snow blowing and it was 3600. Most are 17-22 hp twins

 

That's an even better idea.

 

I’ve heard nothing but good from Powerking owners I know. The Case/Ingersoll hi wheelers use the same rear tires as your PK. The bigger PK’s used 8.3-24’s. 12 gallons does sound correct per tire. A normal 23x10.5x12 gt tire only takes around 7-8 gallons. You could also look for old 16” combine front wheel weights with the 10.5” hole spacing. They are fairly common to find and often weight 120-160 lbs per weight. So plenty heavy for your little loader to get good traction and be safe to operate. Enjoy the new toy!!!

 

Keep in mind that if you use calcium in the tires, it should be filled to just over the wheel. This keeps the wheel under water and lessen or slow the rusting as there's no oxygen.
Congratulations on your new helper.
note; this is not a consideration using the best juice.

 

I filled quite a few GT tires with cold weather washer fluid. Ranging form 23x8.5...to 23x10.5...to 8-16...to 29x12.5. Only takes a few minutes per tire to pump it in the tire. Not as heavy as other options at about 7-8 lbs/gallon. Its pretty cost effective though at about $1.20-$1.40/gallon. My Kioti has Rimguard/Beet juice which I think is the best tire ballast, much heavier at around 11 lbs/gallon, but it's much more expensive and can't really be done other than by a shop. If I were to use Calcium I'd want tubes installed to save the rims from rusting.

 

Thank you Guys. I tried to get the info on a few of the Power King sites with no results. I ask here and walla I get all of the info I need. Thanks again to a great group of hoarders.

 

Does you PK have the dual trannies?

 

Tractors and firewood go together like peanut butter and jelly. A lot of guys who like one....like both.