Loader Torqued loader torque tube

[carlhwv]

While spreading shale when the track loader was down, one side of my tooth bucket jumped off the quick detach. I wasn’t quick enough on the clutch and the force immediately twisted the tube that separates the two side of the quick detach. Reading through the forums it looks like this is somewhat of a common occurrence.

I’m running a Kubota m7040 with a la1153 loader. I tried using the hydro’s and the weight of the tractor to twist it back to no avail. While it looks like this method has been used successfully on smaller machines, with the size of the tube on my loader I don’t think it’s going to work.

Before I resign to cutting it out and replacing with a plate, tube, or bar, I’m wondering if anyone has tried heating it up and twisting it back? I don’t have much to loose as it’s non-functional as it is and I’m planning on cutting it out anyway.

If anyone has another way to re-align the bar I’m all ears.

Thanks in advance.

 

[4570Man]

If you shim the low side is the hydraulics strong enough to bend it back? I did the same thing to mine and I straightened it my lifting up on the high side. Cutting and rewelding is really the best option. Mine still isn’t quite right after straightening.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Do you still have KTAC?

Brett

 

[100 td]

With great care and caution, disconnect cylinder on one side, chain it back to loader arm, extend cylinder on other side. Don't do this if you are unaware of the forces involved and the potential risks.

 

[majorwager]

I'd just bite the bullet and by a new kubota QA assembly. Although I have some incredibly talented Mennonite welding shops in my region. Would bother me if it wasn't perfect. Connecting to FEL implements is sometimes a pain even w/ proper factory alignment.

 

[carlhwv]

I’d rather not drop the $938 on the new attachment. They make us buy the entire assembly. I’ll go that route if I need to, but I’ll try the chain up recommendation first, then heat, the cut/weld first. Breakout force on the LA 1153 is only a bit over 3000 lbs, so I don’t have much hope on bending it back without heat...now, if I warm it with the torch fist, I think it might go.

Brett, I’m not sure what KTAC is......brain isn’t processing, its early and I’m just coming off moving 350 tons of rock in 9 day with a pneumatic rock drill and black powder and 180 spreading 200 tons of shale to firm up the site. Spreading the shale was something we did on our rain day. Finally start building our new house on top of the mountain. It’s recovery week for me and the equipment......

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[majorwager]

Believe KTAC is the kubota insurance if you financed the tractor through them and purchased their insurance. Was mandatory to insure a financed tractor but buyer could provide coverage through any insurance source. This was an accident, should be covered?

My homeowner's insurance covers my tractors, but my deductible is $1000. Covers fire, theft, accidents.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Take a handheld band saw cut the tube in the center, square both ends back up correctly. Tack weld the tube back together and find some heavy wall tube that fits snug into the original tube, drill a few holes in the original tube on each side of the cut then slide the new inner piece into the tube evenly on both sides of the cut. Plug weld the new tube in the holes you drilled and then finish welding around the old tube.

 

[TractorNH]

Believe KTAC is the kubota insurance if you financed the tractor through them and purchased their insurance. Was mandatory to insure a financed tractor but buyer could provide coverage through any insurance source. This was an accident, should be covered?

My homeowner's insurance covers my tractors, but my deductible is $1000. Covers fire, theft, accidents.

Most homeowner's insurance will cover if you damage something using the tractor (like if you crash it into your house) but won't cover damage to the tractor itself resulting from use (unless it catches fire and burns to the ground from a fuel leak or something like that). You'd need a specific policy on the tractor itself.

 

[LD1]

I wouldnt disconnect and chain one side to loader.

Rather I would just swap hoses on one curl cylinder.

Make one push as the other pulls.

If that dont work, maybe try that + a little heat

 

[4570Man]

I wouldnt disconnect and chain one side to loader.

Rather I would just swap hoses on one curl cylinder.

Make one push as the other pulls.

If that dont work, maybe try that + a little heat

I’d probably move it to the center of the stroke before a swapped it. I think it would have a better chance of working that way.

 

[LD1]

I’d probably move it to the center of the stroke before a swapped it. I think it would have a better chance of working that way.

Yep.

With the pads about 90 degrees from the loader arms is gonna be about best.

 

[PhysAssist]

Take a handheld band saw cut the tube in the center, square both ends back up correctly. Tack weld the tube back together and find some heavy wall tube that fits snug into the original tube, drill a few holes in the original tube on each side of the cut then slide the new inner piece into the tube evenly on both sides of the cut. Plug weld the new tube in the holes you drilled and then finish welding around the old tube.

Hi,
I'm just curious as to why you suggested putting the patch [tube] on the inside instead of on the outside, where in addition to the plug welds, you would have circumference welds on each end, instead of just one in the middle.

Is it a strength issue or something else?

 

[SPYDERLK]

I wouldnt disconnect and chain one side to loader.

Rather I would just swap hoses on one curl cylinder.

Make one push as the other pulls.

If that dont work, maybe try that + a little heat

Due different working areas you will be limited to the force available on the pull side. I dont think that will be enough.

I think the left cyl will have to be disabled and its ram pin removed. [Remove supply lines and cap them.] Then securely chain that pad and extend the other side.​

If that isnt enough augment by adding rotational force with mechanical leverage. ... ~ Hang a weight on a prybar.​

 

[Ritothebull]

I have spent a lot of time straightening out bent equipment and have found that most of the time just cutting and re-welding is usually the easiest way to go, and you will get it right the first time. For some unknown reason it's a lot easier to bend something than to unbend it.

 

[dfkrug]

I have spent a lot of time straightening out bent equipment and have found that most of the time just cutting and re-welding is usually the easiest way to go, and you will get it right the first time. For some unknown reason it's a lot easier to bend something than to unbend it.

That is my experience, too: FEL buckets, rolled-over ATV frames, etc.

As for the cross-tube of an FEL bkt QA bracket, I would cut the cross-tube off entirely and
weld in a new cross-tube (after aligning everything), and that way everything looks nice.

 

[LD1]

I agree.

I too have spent many hours trying to straighten something....and still being unhappy with the results. And in the end....just cut it apart and redo it it

 

[4570Man]

I agree.

I too have spent many hours trying to straighten something....and still being unhappy with the results. And in the end....just cut it apart and redo it it

Also agree but I spent 5 minutes straightening my bent toque tube. It’s probably not more than an hour job to cut and re weld so I wouldn’t waste much time trying to straighten.

 

[carlhwv]

On a loader this size with a 72” bucket I’m thinking the entire assembly, structurally, is really nothing more that a mount point, and the most important thing is to have them mount squared up. The more I think about it trying to heat and bend might be a pain. Cutting and aligning the mounts square is about as easy as I can see so far.

 

[RLstangs]

Put the side that is out the farthest up to a tree, hold the brakes on the tractor and slowly use the bucket hydraulics to bend the torque tube until they are even. Do a little at a time. Have done it on loaders with shaft for a torque tube.