300X loader mast loose

[MaximizerMatt]

Hello,

Today I pulled out the 3320 to ride around and noticed the right loader mast on the 300X was looser than the left side when I raised and lowered the boom. It had significantly more play in it and seemed to shake not only the mast, but the frame bracket that swings down into the parking stand. The frame nuts/bolts show no signs of loosening, and the machine has less than 19 hours. I did some rather heavy tree/root removal a couple of weeks ago and my brother did a dig a 1.5ft deep hole last Friday and did some landscaping loader work yesterday. But I did not notice the excessive play until today. Has anyone else had this problem on the 300X mounted to a 3X20 tractor? Thanks.

 

[daveinmo]

MaximizerMatt, I suggest checking the adjustment of the latches at the top of the masts. This procedure is described in the owner's manual. The one on the right side is probably too loose.

Dave

 

[MaximizerMatt]

Thanks Dave,

I looked in the manual and performed the latch adjustment on level ground. It was off quite a bit, and the little set screw was barely hand tight. The manual indicates 229 ft. lbs for that little screw, which I thought was a lot! It makes me wonder whether it was ever properly set at the dealership. The left side is showing about 3 threads on the latch adjustment bolt, but the right shows about 1 (which concerns me a little). I also went through and did the 10 hour tightening to all the M12 and M16 bolt/nuts, and found several that were loose on both sides. Since I don't have a torque wrench, I just used a hinge-handle bar with socket and put my weight into it. Now the left side is much more solid, though still not as firm as the right. I believe the lefthand side took a harder beating when I was digging up/pulling trees a few weeks ago. This whole episode has helped me realize how important regular maintenance is! Thanks again for your input.

Matthew

 

[GreenMtns]

Hi Matt

Thanks for the question.

And Dave

A Really big thanks for the answer.

The loader masts (both sides) on my 300CX have been loose since I got the tractor. I had thought it was due to the design of the loader masts since they are so different from all others. I have had both Kubota and Kioti in the past and had never had any slop in the loader Masts. So after reading this post I got out the loader manual and went out and checked my loader. Surprise... The Cap Screw on one side had more than an 1/8th of an inch gap and the other side was backed all the way off. And neither locking screw was tightened down. It looks like it was just mounted at the dealers and no one bothered to adjust anything.

I spent a little quality time with it and tightened the adjustments up just to the point the the unlock lever will disengage. Now it acts like a loader should.

Again A big thanks for the question and the answer that I did not even know I needed.

 

[B8FISH]

Yep--seems like they look tight until you lift the front off the ground, and then lo and behold, there appears that little gap that makes everything loose--wonder if the dealerships just make them tight with the bucket on the ground without lifting the front end??

 

[GreenMtns]

I just talked with the head of service at my dealers and he said this is a wear point and should be checked each year. When the tractor is lowered back to the ground that cap screw is in contact with the loader arm. The spring is keeping it there but there can be some movement so checking it would be wise.