LA724 loader concern

[Rebel]

Just checked the loader arms on mine and there is some slight wavyness in the same area but not near as bad as in the posted pictures, it's barley noticable on mine as I've never noticed it before.

Also note that the area of waves is in the area where the top edge of the loader arm starts to curve. The result is the metal was bent in 2 directions causing the waves. If you have ever worked with sheetmetal you will understand what I'm trying to explain. The area with the waves needs to be shrunk...I've never seen a shrinker that would work on what looks like 1/4" plate.

 

[CCWKen]

I work with sheet metal everyday and that wouldn't leave my shop. Those arms should be die stamped/bent like a car/truck frame. That's just poor quality. If that's their "normal" production, I'd look elsewhere for a loader. There's too many high quality FELs in the aftermarket to put up with that. Pretty much turns me away from Kubota and that the dealer found it acceptable makes me wonder what else he might "let pass". Have you checked the fluid levels? Are the wheel lugs tight?

Reminds me of the story about a GM dealer fixing a cracked engine block under warranty with JB Weld.

 

[john_bud]

Good coat of wax and that will buff right out!

Oh wait, that's what the sales guys will probably tell you.

jb

 

[mark2610d]

my brand new 724 loader has the waves and I would have never known if if I did not read this thread. I don't see it as a problem other than knowing it's there and it does look a little funny.

Still love my 724 and I won't lose any sleep over this issue.
Mark 3240hstc 724 loader

 

[PapaPerk]

I'm nearly speechless, I wouldn't accept that loader. I'm not an engineer and I'm not qualified to say this but I call that a structural defect.

What's going on with KUBOTA??

Well I am an engineer and yes this is a structural defect! I cannot believe they are shipping these loaders like this. It appears they have not perfected the hydroforming process of the loader arms. Very disappointing... for any manufacture... especially Kubota!!! I do not like the bent loader arms.... bad idea IMHO.

 

[Harvest Moon]

I just saw a curved arm Kubota loader... was too busy checking out the wrinkles to note the model. They were subtle and didn't look like they had any significance. I wouldn't have noticed them if I wasn't looking for them.

Anyway, I guess they are standard and acceptable by Kubota spec. but the OP's look much worse than what I saw.

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

Well I am an engineer and yes this is a structural defect! I cannot believe they are shipping these loaders like this. It appears they have not perfected the hydroforming process of the loader arms. Very disappointing... for any manufacture... especially Kubota!!! I do not like the bent loader arms.... bad idea IMHO.

I agree with PapaPerk. An unanticipated consequence to the "skirted" design I think. In their effort to improve the aesthetics and/or to protect the hyd. lines, has backfired on them, resulting in this rippling when a bending load is applied to the boom. I bet these loaders will all exhibit varying degrees of rippling depending on how much use/abuse the loader has been subjected to. One good hit with the lip of the bucket into a curb or immovable object is probably all it takes.

That said, I can see why they would want to hide the lines though. If you have a curved boom, you have to curve the steel hyd. lines along their whole length to match the radius of the bend. Wouldn't be easy to to. Better to try and hide them.

 

[Kubotawally]

Notice folks that this "wavyness" is only present in the curved boom models. It is not possible to make a compound bend in metal without the additional metal going somewhere. We the customers asked for a curved boom and Kubota has supplied. Go take a look at the blue and green ones you will see the same conditions

 

[Harvest Moon]

Notice folks that this "wavyness" is only present in the curved boom models. It is not possible to make a compound bend in metal without the additional metal going somewhere. We the customers asked for a curved boom and Kubota has supplied. Go take a look at the blue and green ones you will see the same conditions

hummm.... "Kubota"wally, bleed orange, engineer... Georgia. So your the one making the loaders, I was wondering when we'd hear from Kubota.

Just kidding, welcome aboard Kubotawally. I like engineers, they know lots of cool things. And if you really do work for Kubota, well, it's still great to have you here!

 

[dirtworksequip]

Kubotawally, I think your full of it! The Deere boom is a piece of quality craftsmanship compared to that wavy Kubota boom. If you need close up pics, I'll be glad to provide them.
That Kubota boom has more ripples than Bertha's butt! (no offense if anyone here has a wife named Bertha)

Sorry, but it really gets my goat when someone gets on here and starts spewing info they have no knowledge of.
Sincerely, Dirt

Deere 300cx boom
There is a few water drops and snow flakes on it, but no rippled steel.

 

[dirtworksequip]

The hyd. lines don't need to be bent to follow the curved loader arms.

 

[Harvest Moon]

dirtworksequip, nice photos. That sure is one smooth arm, at least as smooth as my straight ones. Maybe Kubotawally is a PR engineer? But yours looks like it might be welded from two halves, like a clam shell? The LA 724's bend might be more difficult to achieve... of course that doesn't excuse the wrinkles or the manufacturing it in a way that produces them.

 

[PapaPerk]

Notice folks that this "wavyness" is only present in the curved boom models. It is not possible to make a compound bend in metal without the additional metal going somewhere. We the customers asked for a curved boom and Kubota has supplied. Go take a look at the blue and green ones you will see the same conditions

Wavyness is unaccectable if the customer sees it and/or effect performance/safety. Because the consumer wants curved booms doesn't give Kubota the excuse to make rippled booms. I agree, sort of, about the bending process creating the ripples. But there's many ways to make a curved boom without yeilding your main structural member! I'd head back to the drawing board on this one and make a nice solid weldment instead. I'm sticking to my nice straight boomed LA723.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

You cannot compare the John Deere and Kubota curved booms one for one. If you look at the John Deere boom it is formed in two halves and then welded down the center. The Kubota is bent in a U shape and then welded on the bottom side. Went and looked at the 724 loader today at dealer and they waves are angular in formation like they were put there by a brake or a stamp so they just may be part of the design as some people said before when you shape something in a curve the extra metal has to go someplace. I may be wrong but it is something to think about.


David Kb7uns

 

[dirtworksequip]

That's right the Kubota boom doesn't even come close to comparing to the Deere boom. Deere took the time to design their boom for form and function. Kubota seemed to just do their boom the cheapest way they could with little reguard for how it looks. The only reason Deere even entered into this discussion is a ''I bleed orange'' engineer stepped in and stated blue and green curved booms had the same wavy steel as the Kubota's. Which isn't true. Kubota needs a redesign of their boom, but I doubt they will.

I have a friend that has a metal fab design shop. They do a lot of work for major helecopter manufacturers. I'll ask him about what he thinks of the Kubota design. Strenghts-weaknesses?
Sincerely, Dirt

 

[mark2610d]

The deere loader looks good but I will take the Japan made kubota loader (even with the waves) over the "made in china" loaders the deere compacts offer. One of the reasons I went orange was because of the Deere loaders being outsourced to China.

Mark
3240hstc 724 loader (with waves)

 

[dirtworksequip]

So now China is turning out better quality than the USA. Thats sad. Or is it just that the Deere boom is a better design?

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[canoetrpr]

Even better, the Deere CX loaders are made right here in Canada!

I have to say that seeing the Made In China on the 300X loader did turn me off when I test drove the JD 3520. There is high quality stuff that does come from China and low quality stuff from China - so a bias (me included) is not really valid .. just my 0.02.

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

Even better, the Deere CX loaders are made right here in Canada!

Not for much longer unfortunately. The Welland plant is closing and production is shifting to Mexico. Deere probably made this decision when our dollar went to $1.10 US. Now that it is back to around $0.80 do you think they will re-think the pull-out from Canada? I doubt it.

 

[canoetrpr]

Thats really too bad. If there is a chance that some day I might upgrade to a CABBed tractor, it might be a JD and it would have been nice to have a Made In Canada part of it.