Mini skid steer lift capacity is the maximum weight your machine lifts. The number comes from the manufacturer. The number includes the attachment weight.

The rated operating capacity is 50 percent of the tipping load. Tipping load is the weight that makes the machine tip forward. The machine tips at the pivot point. The manufacturer tests this number. They divide it by 2 for safety.

The machine lifts more than 650 pounds. The machine lifts 1,300 pounds to the tipping point. You never operate at tipping weight. You always operate at rated capacity.

Here are the numbers for common machines. These numbers are the rated operating capacity.

These numbers are the safe working load. You do not exceed these numbers. You load to these numbers or less.

The Typhoon STOMP X1300 delivers the same 650 pound capacity as the Kubota and John Deere. It does this at half the price of the CAT. You get equal lift capacity for less money. That is the winning value.

Your actual load depends on three factors. The attachment weight. The material weight. The bucket fill level.

• Step 1. Weigh your attachment: Use a bathroom scale. Place the attachment on the scale. Record the weight. A standard digging bucket weighs 150 pounds. A 4 in 1 bucket weighs 200 pounds. A grapple bucket weighs 250 pounds.
• Step 2. Calculate material weight: Different materials weigh different amounts per cubic foot (see table below).
• Step 3. Measure your bucket volume: Your bucket holds a specific cubic foot volume. A standard digging bucket for the Typhoon STOMP X1300 holds 6 cubic feet.
• Step 4. Calculate the load weight: Multiply bucket volume by material weight per cubic foot. Add the attachment weight. Compare to your mini skid steer lift capacity.

Example for gravel: 6 cubic feet times 100 pounds equals 600 pounds of gravel. Add the 150 pound bucket. Total load is 750 pounds. This exceeds the 650 pound capacity.

Example for topsoil: 6 cubic feet times 75 pounds equals 450 pounds of topsoil. Add the 150 pound bucket. Total load is 600 pounds. This is under the 650 pound capacity.

You see the difference. You carry gravel in smaller amounts. You carry topsoil in full buckets.

Overloading stresses the lift arms. The lift arms bend at the pivot points. The pins and bushings wear faster. The hydraulic system works harder. The hydraulic fluid overheats. The pump wears out.

Overloading stresses the undercarriage. The drive motors work harder. The tracks slip on the sprockets. The track tension changes. The undercarriage wears unevenly. (To learn how to protect this component, check our guide on when to schedule a mini skid steer track replacement).

Overloading stresses the operator. The machine tips forward. You react quickly. You drop the load. You spill material. You waste time cleaning up. You risk injury.

The cost of overloading is expensive. Bent lift arms cost $1,200 to replace. Worn hydraulic pump costs $1,500 to replace. Damaged undercarriage costs $800 to repair. Total cost for one overload incident is $3,500.

The Typhoon STOMP X1300 is built with heavy duty lift arms. The arms handle daily loads without bending. The Kubota engine provides consistent power for lifting. The three piston hydraulic system delivers pressure without overheating. You avoid repair costs with proper loading.

Follow these practices to stay within mini skid steer lift capacity.

• Practice 1: Fill the bucket level. Do not heap the bucket. A heaped bucket adds 20 percent more material. That extra material exceeds capacity. Fill the bucket to the rim. Level it with the bucket edge.
• Practice 2: Know your material weight. Gravel and concrete are heavy. Topsoil and mulch are light. Adjust your bucket fill for heavy material. Fill a half bucket for gravel. Fill a full bucket for topsoil.
• Practice 3: Use a scale to verify. Place a bathroom scale under the attachment. Weigh the loaded bucket. Do this once for each material. You learn the weight by feel. You stop guessing.
• Practice 4: Keep the load low during travel. Lower the bucket to 6 inches off the ground. A low load lowers the center of gravity. The machine stays stable. You tip less often.
• Practice 5: Travel slowly with a load. Speed increases instability. A bump at speed tips the machine. Drive at walking speed with a loaded bucket.
• Practice 6: Avoid turning on slopes with a load. Turning shifts the weight to one side. The machine tips sideways. Turn on flat ground. Turn slowly.

Each attachment changes your available capacity. A heavier attachment means less material capacity. A lighter attachment means more material capacity.

Here is the capacity calculation for common attachments on the Typhoon STOMP X1300.

Attachment 5. Ripper tooth weighing 80 pounds. Material capacity is 570 pounds. You rip and break material. You do not carry heavy loads.

Attachment 6. Hydraulic breaker weighing 200 pounds. Material capacity is 450 pounds. The breaker breaks concrete. It does not carry material.

Example 1. Moving gravel for a driveway. You have 3 tons of gravel to move. Your bucket holds 4.5 cubic feet of gravel for a safe load. That is 450 pounds per load. You make 14 loads to move 3 tons. Each load takes 2 minutes. Total time is 28 minutes.

Example 2. Moving topsoil for a garden. You have 2 tons of topsoil to move. Your bucket holds 6 cubic feet of topsoil for a safe load. That is 450 pounds per load. You make 9 loads to move 2 tons. Each load takes 2 minutes. Total time is 18 minutes.

Example 3. Moving concrete rubble. You have 5 tons of broken concrete to remove. Your bucket holds 4 cubic feet of rubble for a safe load. That is 440 pounds per load. You make 23 loads to move 5 tons. Each load takes 3 minutes to break and load. Total time is 69 minutes.

You see the difference in material types. Heavy materials require more loads. Light materials require fewer loads. Plan your time based on the material.

The Typhoon STOMP X1300 completes these tasks faster than the competition. The machine has a 25 HP Kubota engine. The engine delivers maximum torque at 2,200 RPM. This is the speed for lifting and loading. Other machines require high RPM to reach peak torque. The Typhoon saves fuel while working harder.

Three specifications affect your lifting ability. Horsepower. Hydraulic flow. Lift arm geometry.

• Horsepower: Provides the energy. The Typhoon STOMP X1300 has 25 HP. That power runs the hydraulic pump, delivering 2,800 PSI pressure to lift the load.
• Hydraulic Flow: Provides speed. 8.5 GPM of auxiliary flow lifts faster. Your capacity remains the same; only speed changes.
• Lift Arm Geometry: Affects stability. The hinge pin height is 70 inches. The capacity is measured at the hinge pin. The capacity at full height is less than at ground level. Your mini skid steer lift capacity decreases as you raise the arms.

The Typhoon STOMP X1300 has a 70 inch dump height. This is higher than many competitors. You reach truck beds and dumpsters easily. The lift arms are built with high strength steel. They resist bending under load. This is a win over machines with lighter arms.

You test your machine. You confirm the numbers. Follow this process.

• Step 1: Find a scale. Use a crane scale or a hanging scale rated for 1,000 pounds or more.
• Step 2: Secure the scale to a fixed point like a heavy beam or a tree using a strong strap.
• Step 3: Attach the scale to your bucket using a chain or a strap on the bucket hooks.
• Step 4: Lift the scale. Raise the bucket off the ground and read the weight. The Typhoon STOMP X1300 should lift 650 pounds.
• Step 5: Add weight. Increase the load by 100 pounds. Test the lift. Stop when the machine struggles. This is your actual capacity.
• Step 6: Document the results. Write down the maximum lift and the full height lift. Use these numbers for your jobs.

You transport material across the job site. You load your truck and trailer. You need to know your capacity for each task.

Transport on flat ground. Your capacity remains at 650 pounds. The machine travels with the load low. Stability is good.

Transport on slopes. Your capacity decreases. A 10 degree slope reduces capacity by 15 percent. Your safe load becomes 550 pounds. A 15 degree slope reduces capacity by 25 percent. Your safe load becomes 490 pounds.

Loading a truck on a slope. The truck bed is higher than the machine. You raise the arms to dump. Raising the arms reduces stability. The load decreases by 10 percent at full height. Your safe load becomes 585 pounds.

The Typhoon STOMP X1300 has a low center of gravity. The engine sits low in the frame. The machine stays stable on slopes. This is a win over machines with higher center of gravity.

Question 1. Can I lift more with a larger bucket?

A larger bucket holds more material. The weight increases. The mini skid steer lift capacity remains the same. You can lift the same weight. You do not lift more weight. You lift more volume of light material. You lift less volume of heavy material.

Question 2. Does the machine lift more at the pivot pin?

Yes. The rated capacity is measured at the pivot pin. This is the point where the lift arm connects to the machine. The capacity decreases as the load moves forward. A load at the bucket edge has less capacity. A load at the pivot pin has more capacity.

Question 3. Can I add counterweights to lift more?

You can add counterweights. The machine weighs more. The counterweight shifts the center of gravity rearward. The machine tips less easily. The lift capacity increases slightly. Do not exceed 10 percent of rated capacity. Counterweights add stress to the undercarriage.

Question 4. How does my mini skid steer lift capacity compare to a compact tractor?

A compact tractor lifts 800 to 1,200 pounds. The tractor has a larger frame and more counterweight. The mini skid steer is smaller. The mini skid steer is more maneuverable. You trade capacity for access.

The Typhoon STOMP X1300 offers the best balance of capacity and maneuverability. At 35 inches wide, it fits through any gate. At 650 pounds capacity, it handles most residential jobs. No other machine gives you this combination for $16,500.

You overload the machine once. You think it handles the weight. You continue overloading. The damage accumulates. The repair bill comes.

Total cost for one year of overloading is $3,900.

You avoid this cost. You respect mini skid steer lift capacity. You load to the rated weight. You replace parts on schedule.

The Typhoon STOMP X1300 has lower repair costs than competitors. Parts are available from any Kubota dealer. The three piston pump system means you replace one pump instead of the whole assembly. This saves you money on repairs.

Your mini skid steer lift capacity is the rated operating load. The Typhoon STOMP X1300 capacity is 650 pounds. This includes your attachment.

Calculate your actual load. Attachment weight plus material weight equals total load. Do not exceed 650 pounds.

Heavy materials need less bucket fill. Light materials need full bucket fill. Know the weight of your material. Respect the capacity. You avoid damage. You avoid injury. You avoid downtime.

The mini skid steer lift capacity exists for your safety. Use it correctly. Work productively. Protect your investment.