Front-End Loader A good reason to check those FEL bolts

[beowulf]

Had a mobile tractor service guy up today - to do a few things I can't do right now due to a nagging back issue. He clearly loves tractors - evident from the way he did things - thorough and explained reasons, details were important to him, from blowing out dust, cleaning and redoing battery connections, checking everything, telling me what I needed and what I did not need done and why.

Anyway, he showed me where bolts on one side where FEL mounted to the tractor were loose and some threads stripped, and one missing. He also then pointed out that there were two significant cracks on the mount on one side (the cracks and gap were easily seen and one all the way through). He said the cracks were likely caused because the mounting was loose and all the force was being misplaced. He will need to tap and rethread for new bolts where the threads are stripped, and weld the cracks, including a piece to bridge the major crack.

Another point: He also found a front wheel seal leak. He asked what fluid I used for the front axle, and I told him Kubota UDT transmission oil which was recommended in the manual (as was gear oil). He said he always uses gear oil as will cause fewer leak issues.

We will be taking it into his shop to take care of it all.

The lesson: I could have likely avoided this if I had periodically checked and tightened those bolts.

 

[Scrambler82]

Thanks for the insight !

I do need to go over my old girl.

 

[Imold]

Thanks for the heads up/insight into the bolt issue, I think this is the second time I’ve read about loose FEL mounting bolts.



Jim.

 

[atsah]

Loader mount bolts are an issue, I found them loose on three new tractors now, the first one I tightened and they backed out again so I installed new bolts a tad longer with lock washers and never an issue again..

 

[Zebrafive]

Wheels, ROPS, and Loader mounts, ALL need to be checked often until they "take a set". Then still checked periodically.
Many people mark the nut/bolt head and next to the nut/bolt head with a paint marker for visual inspection, that nut/bolt head has not moved.

IIRC, JD had some loaders mounted with too short of mounting bolts that pulled threads out of castings.


Big rigs (semis) have "pointers" the press on the wheel lug nuts and point to the next stud, for visual they are tight.

 

[grsthegreat]

I re-torque mine at least once a year. The idea of marking them is a great idea....why didn’t I think of that. I know what I’ll be doing next weekend.

 

[rangerfredbob]

Here's one of the brackets on my FEL before and after repairs... took about everything I had metal working tool wise to get it back to normal... I had noticed the brace broken a few years ago but was waiting for the right time... then this summer I heard the twang of the bolt pulling through... that was the right time to fix it

I tell ya what, the loader is MUCH more solid after fixing it... even better with some better hydraulic hoses and a new belt for the pump...

 

[nyone]

Im still waiting on my 1957 ford loader bolts to "take a set" i have to tighten them up every year. They have a lock washer so are prety to spot when loose.

 

[BX23S-1]

I usually do a quick pre-inspection - walk around - check ALL fluids, before i start the tractor(s).
Twice a year i go over most of the nuts & bolts with a torque wrench, or at least a wrench were a torque wrench wont get into.

When i`m done with the tractor, i grease all the fittings. Then its sitting with fresh grease, and any moisture has been pushed out.
That way its ready to go next time i need the tractor. This practice hasn`t failed me yet, in 50yrs.

And while i`m walking up to the tractors, i`m watching for any signs of fluid leaks on the ground.

 

[neoadman]

Is he going to rethread with larger bolts or use helicoil insert of the same size. My Mahindra bracket on right side won't stay tight and I check them monthly. Lol