Safe way to work under loader.

[BufordBoone]

Maintenance on my L5740 would be much easier if the loader was not in the way. Absent taking it completely off, is there a safe way to raise it and work under it?

A number of options come to mind. Problem with all of them is that you are betting your life that they will work.

1 - Build a "Jack Stand" out of wood or steel.
2 - Park it against a tree.

This forum has been amazing so I thought asking here would probably give great results.

 

[breadtrk]

Don't know how safe or wise it is but parking against a tree and or resting the bucket on one of my flatbeds has always worked for me.

 

[Texasmark]

I never worried about it, considering what there is and isn't to worry about. If I did I'd get a 4x4 post and stick under it.

 

[ericm979]

When my Branson was delivered along with implements, they had the loader bucket raised over an implement on the trailer. It was propped up with pieces of angle iron along the cylinder rods, keeping the bucket raising cylinders from retracting. They'd put duct tape over the ends of the angle iron to keep them from gouging the paint, and duct taped the angle iron to the rods so it wouldn't fall off.

When I get around to it I will make something similar for propping the loader up for maintenance. It has the advantage of not getting in the way itself like a stand would.

The Branson like a lot of tractors has a lock on the loader control to prevent movement like someone bumping it while you're under it. If you trust the hydraulics to not malfunction while you're under there, that'd be sufficient. The Branson dealer said that they require the the loader to be propped up when their mechanics are working under a raised loader.

 

[EddieWalker]

This isn't my backhoe, but it shows the bracket that's attached to the loader. I don't have any pics handy of mine. When the loader is fully lifter, you pull out a pin and the red colored U shaped bracket swings between the loader and the cylinder to hold the loader up. It takes a couple seconds to put it into position, but once there, it will never come down until its removed. Go look at a backhoe in person if the picture isn't clear enough.

 

[mcfarmall]

When my Branson was delivered along with implements, they had the loader bucket raised over an implement on the trailer. It was propped up with pieces of angle iron along the cylinder rods, keeping the bucket raising cylinders from retracting. They'd put duct tape over the ends of the angle iron to keep them from gouging the paint, and duct taped the angle iron to the rods so it wouldn't fall off.

When I get around to it I will make something similar for propping the loader up for maintenance. It has the advantage of not getting in the way itself like a stand would.

The Branson like a lot of tractors has a lock on the loader control to prevent movement like someone bumping it while you're under it. If you trust the hydraulics to not malfunction while you're under there, that'd be sufficient. The Branson dealer said that they require the the loader to be propped up when their mechanics are working under a raised loader.

^^^What he said^^^ A mechanical blocking method to keep the cylinders from retracting is the quickest, easiest way to make working under a raised bucket safe. "It's the industry standard."

 

[jbadkins7o]

Angle Iron with duct tape to secure works best.

 

[coldsteelva]

Tall tripod transmission jacks would work too, but take up room - the angle iron to prevent cylinder retraction is most positive controlling and least obtrusive.

 

[Billrog]

This is what I do.

 

[BufordBoone]

Thanks to all!

What a great asset this forum has become.

Off to purchase a piece of angle iron.

 

[Billrog]

When done do not forget to remove the angle iron , start the tractor release the pressure from it settling then remove. I'm not sure it this word of caution is necessary but felt it wouldn't hurt.

 

[BufordBoone]

Certainly doesn't hurt to mention that. I'll probably write myself a note to tape to the steering wheel.

Do I need to do that treatment to both loader arms or is one good enough?

Thanks, again.

 

[Billrog]

I just do one as that's all that comes on my backhoe like the pic. Eddie posted.

 

[GAFarmer2]

Certainly doesn't hurt to mention that. I'll probably write myself a note to tape to the steering wheel.

Do I need to do that treatment to both loader arms or is one good enough?

Thanks, again.

One may suffice but as my Dad used to say, "better safe than sorry". Angle iron is cheap compared to your noggin!

 

[coolreinfarm]

I would never work under a elevated loader, my l3240 loader comes off in 5 minutes, I'll spend the time to save my life or losing a limb. My 2 cents

 

[crazyal]

My backhoe has the same bar as EddieWalker showed. Since it's attached to the loader it's secure. I'm sure that using a piece of steel in place of it would work but I wouldn't trust it. You are not going to know if it's going to hold until the unthinkable happens. I wouldn't want to find out that duct tape ripped, a tie wrap broke, or what I thought was secure wasn't and the steel slid off what it was braced against. Since I have a 2 post car lift I bought several stands from Harbor Freight for safety when working under a car. They easily go about 8 feet tall. Since I'm working in the garage on cement I put one on each side of the loader. But I rarely do work on the tractor with the loader on but I do use the loader to lift things up to the second floor in my garage and being able to leave the loader raised for hours without risk is worth it to me.

 

[Deere Dude]

Maintenance on my L5740 would be much easier if the loader was not in the way. Absent taking it completely off, is there a safe way to raise it and work under it?

A number of options come to mind. Problem with all of them is that you are betting your life that they will work.

1 - Build a "Jack Stand" out of wood or steel.
2 - Park it against a tree.

This forum has been amazing so I thought asking here would probably give great results.

I made one like this for each side. Use a sump pump hose first do the cylinder don't get scratched. A bolt keeps it in place.

 

[Wagtail]

View attachment 503090

I made one like this for each side. Use a sump pump hose first do the cylinder don't get scratched. A bolt keeps it in place.

That's an interesting set-up Mate, and one that I haven't considered as I've not raised my 300CX that high IOT work under it. I've simply used the 'rest bars' (that are bolted to the arms = 1/2-way raised)... my dealership service bloke showed me that trick when he came out to do my first (free) 50hr service.

 

[Plantation Paul]

I would never work under a elevated loader, my l3240 loader comes off in 5 minutes, I'll spend the time to save my life or losing a limb. My 2 cents

It can be a PITA. Like servicing the air filters or blowing out the radiator and other coolers daily. With an empty load, no bucket or attachment, I don't see it falling fast enough that I couldn't get out of the way. The weight would be minimal anyway compared to loaded. And what could happen? A valve opening or a hose bursting with an empty load? I don't see it.

View attachment 503090

I made one like this for each side. Use a sump pump hose first do the cylinder don't get scratched. A bolt keeps it in place.

Nice!!! That is how my friend does it on older equipment that you can't take the loader off easily. Mostly something that will leak down over time, not because it will suddenly break and fall.

I take my loader off (it is EASY) just a as a courtesy for my mechanic.

 

[bigtiller]

It can be a PITA. Like servicing the air filters or blowing out the radiator and other coolers daily. With an empty load, no bucket or attachment, I don't see it falling fast enough that I couldn't get out of the way. The weight would be minimal anyway compared to loaded. And what could happen? A valve opening or a hose bursting with an empty load? I don't see it.

I've worked around heavy equipment most of my life and I can verify for you that hydraulic failures can and do happen that way. When a catastrophic failure happens, you won't know about it until it is on the ground. I have seen it happen many times.