B3030 FEL bucket wearing on one side>???

[John White]

I bought a B3030 some time ago and trying to tackle all the problems. I noticed right away that the cutting edge was wore back on one side. First thing I did was take the bucket off and square it up and run beads with my welder. I have been too busy with other projects to check out why. I just figured some one had tried to lift a large rock on one side and sprung the loader arms. I read a article seems like they made a few of the buckets with brackets not aligned. Well today I had a little time to check it out. First thing I got out my laser transit and made sure the floor was level. Next checked the pressure on all tires to make sure it was equal. It was ok. first I checked the height of the bucket arms where it mounts to the frame. It measured 3/4" higher from the floor than the other one. First thought was it was drilled wrong or welded wrong. Then I measured from the floor to edge of rear rim. There is the problem. One side measures 5/8" lower than the other side. Tires are a matching set, seem to be worn the same amount. The only thing I can come up with is that the tires are filled with water (it came from down south) I plan on draining the water out because it would freeze here and I don't think I need loaded tires anyway. Question, if there is more water in one than the other would it make it that much higher? How is the best was to get the water out. And if this doesn't solve it, the only other thing is to dis mount and switch tires from left to right. Do tractor tires dismount from the back side like a large truck wheel or from the front like a car tire?

 

[TMGT]

Re: B3030 FEL bucket wearing on one side>???

Tire pressure will change height some, water level shouldn't unless it's filled 100% which is about impossible.
Measure to axle centerline instead of rim, the outer lip on low speed rims can have a bit of variation.

Another cause of uneven bucket wear is the loader mounts shifting, alot of times they can be compensated by loosening the mounts, setting the bucket on a level floor and retightening.

As for dismounting the tire, look for the step in the inside of the rim and dismount from that side.

 

[John White]

Re: B3030 FEL bucket wearing on one side>???

How is the best way to get fluid out of tire?

 

[bdhsfz6]

Re: B3030 FEL bucket wearing on one side>???

How is the best way to get fluid out of tire?

Unless you want to break the bead (separate the tire from the rim), the best way I've found is this:

Rotate the tire until the valve stem is down and remove the valve from the valve stem. When the pressure is relieved and fluid stops coming out, re-inflate the tire. Do this several times until no more fluid comes out. Hopefully, the tire fluid is just water. If it's brine, beet juice or antifreeze, it will make a real mess.

Depending on the tire size, there is still a gallon or more of fluid in the tire below the valve stem. To get that out, I use a vacuum pump with a small diameter withdrawal tube. I use this one designed to drain engine oil through the dipstick tube:

Amazon.com: Air Power America 56TS Topsider Multi-Purpose Fluid Removing System: Automotive

There are cheaper plastic models available that will do the same thing. I use the all metal one above since it's durable and handy for a host of other jobs around the shop.

Insert the thin plastic withdrawal tube down into the valve stem until it hits the inside of the tire. Let the vacuum pump remove the rest of the water. Replace the valve and re-inflate the tire.

It sounds more complicated that it really is.

Most dealers have equipment to do this. You might get a price from them to do the work before investing +/- $50 for a vacuum pump.