Loader bending metal on loader

[SPYDERLK]

This link (in the fuse theory) will either compress or stretch, I don't think it drops anything.

If in fact it is (in part) a fuse, highest forces are when the bucket is curled all the way down, precisely the condition where forces multiply, and may be a need to protect the bucket curl cylinders or other mounts. I suspect it is shaped this way to give the bucket more curl while protecting the components in this extended curl position. Seems strange that LS wouldn't state this (again, following the 'fuse' theory) so people know whats going on rather than guessing about their quality.

Ryan what was the bucket angle when you pushed on this cedar tree?

Theyre not stretching. Its a compression thing that happens when resisting uncurl. When they buckle there is a sudden uncurling. That would drop something. It would by definition be a heavy load and the buckle could be catalyzed be a jerk stop on lowering ... or a lift with a critical amt of load ... or a lift too high with load -- because the compression leverage increases with the degree of uncurl. ... Imagine using pallet forks. Keeping level as you raise.
larry

 

[jmc]

Just from looking at Sodo's picture, that dog legged link may be assembled upsidedown. It's concavity looks further from its pivot point than the pin it's designed to avoid(at the end of the boom)

 

[ozley]

Just from looking at Sodo's picture, that dog legged link may be assembled upsidedown. It's concavity looks further from its pivot point than the pin it's designed to avoid(at the end of the boom)

They look like they are on my loader.

 

[Sodo]

the dogleg is so the bucket can curl farther down (vertical), so the link reaches around that pin. At that moment it's a major force multiplier on the cylinders and their mounting.

Not sure anyone could use bucket forks in this vertical position (for example). In the 'level' position, the link is not subject to the force multiplication, it's ONLY when curled full vertical.

osley, do you have time to take pics of this link in several positions?

 

[ozley]

Hope it helps.

 

[SPYDERLK]

the dogleg is so the bucket can curl farther down (vertical), so the link reaches around that pin. At that moment it's a major force multiplier on the cylinders and their mounting.

Not sure anyone could use bucket forks in this vertical position (for example). In the 'level' position, the link is not subject to the force multiplication, it's ONLY when curled full vertical.

osley, do you have time to take pics of this link in several positions?

Presume you mean uncurled. As you raise a bucket - or forks especially - you uncurl to stay level. Leverage on the links naturally increases. Due to the close pin spacing on he bucket carrier there is compressive force on the links anytime uncurl is being resisted, regardless of position - worsens as uncurl progresses. See ozleys pics. It is a design issue.
larry

 

[Leejohn]

I would say the stright bracket is just a hair short. If back drigging with bucket down the cyd. rod well bend or the stright bracket goes over center and bend them as the picture shows.

 

[SPYDERLK]

The links are pulled when backdragging. All reports indicate they bend from being pushed on -- they buckle.

 

[rwork]

Iv'e put mine through just about everything imaginable, no issues. I have the LL3103 loader.

 

[Fairfax]

I would say the stright bracket is just a hair short. If back drigging with bucket down the cyd. rod well bend or the stright bracket goes over center and bend them as the picture shows.

I agree in that the straight link might be the wrong size. Both of the links work together and alternate between compression and tension, opposing forces in each when being curled or uncurled by the hyd cylinders. So when curling, the curved link experiences compression and the straight link is in tension. The tension in the straight link should prevent the curved link from experiencing too much compression that will cause it to buckle. If the straight link is too short to hold tension, all of the force will be compression on the curved link.

 

[ozley]

Could the a loader pin be binding up for what ever reason causing the dog bone to bend and not pivot.

 

[SPYDERLK]

One would think the OP who has crinkled 3 sets would have noticed any existing bind during changeout.

 

[rwork]

Is this a self leveling loader?

 

[Scooby074]

Looks to me like there is a point in the dump cycle where if pressure is put on the bucket lip the cylinder rods dont compress but instead move downward causing the links to bend.

Hard to describe but I dont think that hydraulic pressure is doing it, but that mechanical pressure on the bucket is being transferred to the links.

Id get a new set of links, but use them as a template to make copies out of heavier materials, then swap in the upgrades if/when the factory design ones bend. I think the links are too weak, bad design.

 

[J_J]

I think with the cyl locked and back dragging, you are putting about a 5 to 1 , up to about a 10 to 1 mechanical force on the brackets, and causing them to bend.

You could perhaps brace up the sides of the brackets with some 1/2 in steel plate..

 

[George2615]

I compared my tractor dog legs to Ozley's pics and notice quite a difference with the cylinders fully open and closed. Ozley and the OP have the U5030 while mine is the XR3037HC. RyansLS has a 4041 and he just bent his dog legs in post#11. Mine are the ones with the forks (1 & 3). My dog legs seem to come back further (closer to the torque tube) than Ozley's when the cylinder is closed. The dog legs and the flats look the same but Ozley's cylinders appear to be longer. I haven't bent mine yet but now that 2 models (5030 & 4041) have I'll keep a closer watch on mine. Maybe it is a poor design.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I think with the cyl locked and back dragging, you are putting about a 5 to 1 , up to about a 10 to 1 mechanical force on the brackets, and causing them to bend.

You could perhaps brace up the sides of the brackets with some 1/2 in steel plate..

The links are pulled when backdragging. All reports indicate they bend from being pushed on -- they buckle.

larry

 

[SPYDERLK]

I compared my tractor dog legs to Ozley's pics and notice quite a difference with the cylinders fully open and closed. Ozley and the OP have the U5030 while mine is the XR3037HC. RyansLS has a 4041 and he just bent his dog legs in post#11. Mine are the ones with the forks (1 & 3). My dog legs seem to come back further (closer to the torque tube) than Ozley's when the cylinder is closed. The dog legs and the flats look the same but Ozley's cylinders appear to be longer. I haven't bent mine yet but now that 2 models (5030 & 4041) have I'll keep a closer watch on mine. Maybe it is a poor design.

Could be they have not beefed them up enuf on the larger loaders.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm with Larry on this one. Total design flaw. That doesn't necessary mean wrong shape, can also mean wrong strength of material.

I would be very disappointed. And if LS isn't stepping up, then I'd be disappointed again. Replacing the bent links with the same product is meaningless.

 

[ozley]

I am not worried about it. I have done a lot of things with the loader over 3 years and never push on something I know that wouldn't move.