Loader Broke the loader

[mreatwork]

A few weeks ago, I backed up not knowing the loader control lever caught on a tree branch, bending the stick. Now I can’t mount the loader and it feels like the loader only lowers 4-5” from the ground.

I don’t know if it’s the lever or the valve but I’ve got to repair it somehow.

The dealer can’t get to it for 2 weeks (it’ll probably be longer than that).

should I just start ordering parts?

 

[RoyJackson]

A few weeks ago, I backed up not knowing the loader control lever caught on a tree branch, bending the stick. Now I can’t mount the loader and it feels like the loader only lowers 4-5” from the ground.

I don’t know if it’s the lever or the valve but I’ve got to repair it somehow.

The dealer can’t get to it for 2 weeks (it’ll probably be longer than that).

should I just start ordering parts?

If you know what you're doing, go for the parts...otherwise, wait for the dealer

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I would not start throwing parts at it. The loader not lowering all the way to the ground says to me that there is probably more to it than just the lever or valve. Post some good pics of the damage.

 

[mreatwork]

I would not start throwing parts at it. The loader not lowering all the way to the ground says to me that there is probably more to it than just the lever or valve. Post some good pics of the damage.

There’s no outward sign of damage which tells me it’s internal. I’ve had this tractor 15 years, never been back to the dealer but that looks like its going to change.

 

[npalen]

A few weeks ago, I backed up not knowing the loader control lever caught on a tree branch, bending the stick. Now I can’t mount the loader and it feels like the loader only lowers 4-5” from the ground.

I don’t know if it’s the lever or the valve but I’ve got to repair it somehow.

The dealer can’t get to it for 2 weeks (it’ll probably be longer than that).

should I just start ordering parts?

Seems odd that the loader would stop at a few inches above the ground. Does it raise and lower normally otherwise? Are the lift cylinder rods bent?

 

[JWR]

Chances are the loader valve and/or the handle to it are at fault. I doubt you hurt the loader itself (unless there is way more to the story than you have told us.) What do you mean you "can't mount the loader?" That implies you took the loader off the tractor after you backed into something and bent the control lever (I guess.) ? If the lever is bent, you may be able to extract the control valve from the loader frame, get it into a vise and/or some heavy clamps and straighten it. Maybe being bent it is hanging up on the loader frame and not moving full travel forward to lower the bucket? I think we need to know more here before being able to help.

By the way many shops are backed up these days, often for lack of workers. You ought to look around and see if some other shop (may be a non-Kubota one) has time to look into this. There is probably nothing Kubota-peculiar to this problem.

 

[CobyRupert]

I’m confused.
You can’t mount the loader? - So the loader is off the tractor?
“..it feels like the loader only lowers 4”-5” from the ground”? Where do you feel this?
Is this a gut feeling, or can you actually see and measure how far the mounted loader stops above the ground?

 

[mreatwork]

The loader is off the tractor. I thought the lever was just bent, but it feels like the travel is limited when pushing up on it. Kind of like it’s “sprung”.

I can get the rear arms to sit on the “fingers” on the FEL mounts, but the arms refuse to extend back enough to sit in the cradles. Obviously not a workable situation.

thanks for the replies. This one is over my head.

 

[mreatwork]

I think JWR is exactly right.

 

[azbinder]

Lever is probably locked into the detent position. Take the palm of your hand and slap the lever sharply to unlock it. then try mounting your loader.

 

[CobyRupert]

The loader is off the tractor. I thought the lever was just bent, but it feels like the travel is limited when pushing up on it. Kind of like it’s “sprung”.

I can get the rear arms to sit on the “fingers” on the FEL mounts, but the arms refuse to extend back enough to sit in the cradles. Obviously not a workable situation.

thanks for the replies. This one is over my head.

Do raise/lower cylinders retract all the way? If the arms still don’t go low enough, can you use the bucket tilt/dump cylinders to tilt the bucket, which raises the front of the loader and lowers the arms at the tractor as it pivots on the loader stands?

 

[slckeys]

Lever is probably locked into the detent position. Take the palm of your hand and slap the lever sharply to unlock it. then try mounting your loader.

I was curious about that as well. Backing up could bend the lever, but inadvertently pull it into the detent position without realizing it also.

 

[Henro]

You have a couple weeks to figure this out before the dealer gets involved it sounds like.

The more details you give the better the chances are that you will get help that is meaningful. For example, it’s not clear if the loader was on the tractor when you bent the lever which controls the loader valve. Simple pieces of information can be helpful in focusing attention on where the cause may be.

Also answering questions which are asked can lead to other suggestions that might help. For example, someone asked whether the cylinders extend and retract fully…if you answered this question I missed it.

 

[newbury]

Also
Give us pictures with signage pointing out what you think the problem may be.
Or just take it to the dealer in a few weeks.

 

[mreatwork]

Sorry…I’ve been wrapped up in trying to fix this thing I’m not doing a good job of asking for help.

the idea of the lever being stuck in the detent position was a good one But it didn’t work.

the cylinder is fine. the FEL wasn’t installed when I backed into the limb.

actually, there’s nothing to photograph. Everything looks good except for the lever itself, which has a slight bend in it, nothing too severe.

i appreciate all the responses.

I’ll wait until winter and take it to the dealer.

 

[CobyRupert]

So except for the handle being bent into a new position, the handle and valve operates all the loader’s cylinders just like it should?

Why can’t you connect the loader back up? What loader arms don’t “extend”?
If the lift cylinders operate and are retracted all they can retract, that’s it, it’s not a handle or valve problem.
If loader arms are still not low enough to lower into the bracket on the tractor, other ways to make the tractor go up, or the arms be lower are required. Curling the bucket when the loader is supported by its support stand will have an effect on the arm’s height too and can be used to get the arms lower.

 

[JWR]

Picture, as usual, worth 1000 words. My BX2200 has the LA211 loader and my loader has the joystick and all the hydraulic connections and etc. on the loader frame... unlike yours that has the joystick and loader valve mounted on the tractor. That's why I was so puzzled over you bending the stick yet the loader was off the tractor... When you do take it in to the dealer I'd want to take the loader too if you find a way to do that. He almost has to have the loader with the tractor in order to debug the whole situation.

 

[azbinder]

Have you been able to connect all 4 hoses? Also, with the tractor shut off, are you able to move the lever back and forth sideways? Looking at your picture, it still looks like the lever is in the detent position. Also, have you checked to see if the lever lock is unlocked? That is the small 90 degree lever with the black cap below the main lever.

 

[mreatwork]

I can connect all 4 hoses.

good advice on taking the loader in with the tractor. It all fits on my trailer.

in the photo, the lever is in the detent position, and is unlocked. The lever releases from the detent position as usual and moves as it should, although pushing it forward, it feels a little mushy. Might be my imagination.

the lower arms remain at an angle that prevents the FEL from seating in the cradle. It feels like the lever doesn’t have enough travel to move the arms back.

I have mounted/unmounted the FEL a few hundred times since I bought it…

So except for the handle being bent into a new position, the handle and valve operates all the loader’s cylinders just like it should?

yes, except the rear arms don’t operate properly. I don’t think the lift cylinders are extending all the way.

if the market wasn’t so wacky, I’d trade the thing in and get the next size up.

 

[azbinder]

Not trying to be a smart a**, but are you plugging the hoses in correctly? IIRC, the hoses were color coded.
As you pull back on the lever, the lift cylinders will extend. Do they?