Bent loader frame

[JHurt]

Anyone ever have any luck straightening a loader frame? I bent/twisted mine trying to move a HUGE concrete slab that is left over from a cattle waterer in our pasture. It's far to big to pick up, so I was trying to push it to a back part of the pasture. i was going along real slow when it shifted/caught and sort of "rolled" one corner of the bucket. Now the arm on the loader left side is noticeably lower (and maybe back) and the bucket doesn't sit parallel to the ground. Its not a huge amount, but it noticeable, and certainly causes issues when trying to use the bucket to scoop. The biggest issue is I can't see anywhere on the loader that is bent, so it's hard to tell where to try to pull it back at. We have an automotive frame machine here at work, and I'm thinking I may able to use it to pull on the loader. It's over 2k for just the loader frame, and I would really don't want to buy it if I don't have to. Thoughts, ideas?

 

[RNeumann]

Funny- as I was reading the first thing I thought was an automotive frame straightener. Once it’s in there, you will be able to measure where the Bend is. If you have the time and skills the job shouldn’t cost too much.

But for most without a jig to measure and pull like you have it would be tough to do.

 

[Thomas]

Do you know of good welding shop for they might have the tool or idea.

 

[AllDodge]

Going to be tuff, have seen some backhoes bend the arm, and they cut the bent sectioned off, then welded one off another junk yard loader arm.

Kind of hard to say without pics, but maybe take the bucket off, place a chain around a tree to that side of the arm. Then use a torch to heat it up and might be able to bend it back. I used a number 10 rose bud torch with propane and oxygen to bend my track loader edge back in place

 

[ruffdog]

If you use the frame machine, take the loader off the tractor. Tie the rear mounts and unbent side to the plate and jack up the low side.

 

[oldballs]

IIRC...I tweaked my bucket/FEL by about 1/2 inch by lifting (the opposite side) the FEL under a low tree limb. That leveled it out again, but was on a small Kubota BX2660. Good Luck.

Mike

 

[ovrszd]

IIRC...I tweaked my bucket/FEL by about 1/2 inch by lifting (the opposite side) the FEL under a low tree limb. That leveled it out again, but was on a small Kubota BX2660. Good Luck.

Mike

Yep. Try that first. As others said, hard to tell without knowing how bad it is. I've twisted mine several times and corrected it as Mike suggests.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Anyone ever have any luck straightening a loader frame? I bent/twisted mine trying to move a HUGE concrete slab that is left over from a cattle waterer in our pasture. It's far to big to pick up, so I was trying to push it to a back part of the pasture. i was going along real slow when it shifted/caught and sort of "rolled" one corner of the bucket. Now the arm on the loader left side is noticeably lower (and maybe back) and the bucket doesn't sit parallel to the ground. Its not a huge amount, but it noticeable, and certainly causes issues when trying to use the bucket to scoop. The biggest issue is I can't see anywhere on the loader that is bent, so it's hard to tell where to try to pull it back at. We have an automotive frame machine here at work, and I'm thinking I may able to use it to pull on the loader. It's over 2k for just the loader frame, and I would really don't want to buy it if I don't have to. Thoughts, ideas?

Just did the same thing to my fel quick attach. Was pushing large loads of brush with my grapple when a branch came through and popped the right lever up. Grapple came off on the right but stayed attached on the left while I was still pushing and didn't see it. I could tell right away I wonkied it and dropped the grapple and took it back to the shop. The quick attach plates were 2 inches out of level with each other. After much discussion and *&%^$#, we removed the unit and my son took it home to his shop. He cut the round bar steel between the two and that allowed them to line back up. Then he welded a new 1/4 inch steel pipe inside of the one he just cut. Painted it up and put it back on yesterday. Works like a charm.

 

[ovrszd]

Just did the same thing to my fel quick attach. Was pushing large loads of brush with my grapple when a branch came through and popped the right lever up. Grapple came off on the right but stayed attached on the left while I was still pushing and didn't see it. I could tell right away I wonkied it and dropped the grapple and took it back to the shop. The quick attach plates were 2 inches out of level with each other. After much discussion and *&%^$#, we removed the unit and my son took it home to his shop. He cut the round bar steel between the two and that allowed them to line back up. Then he welded a new 1/4 inch steel pipe inside of the one he just cut. Painted it up and put it back on yesterday. Works like a charm.

Yep. Worst case that might be required. I'd try loading the high end of the bucket first.

What you described is typical damage caused when one side unlatches.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Yep. Worst case that might be required. I'd try loading the high end of the bucket first.

What you described is typical damage caused when one side unlatches.

I didn't want to try and "force" it back and do more damage. Lucky for me my son is really good at these types of things and has the right equipment I paid for anyway...

 

[4570Man]

Yep. Worst case that might be required. I'd try loading the high end of the bucket first.

What you described is typical damage caused when one side unlatches.

I’ve bent my quick attach plate a couple of times and it’s easily fixed by lifting on the high side. A loader frame would be harder. I kinda doubt the hydraulic are strong enough after all that’s what it’s supposed to not do. I think you could straighten it by chaining to a stump and jacking up the low side. Worst case you’ll need to cut the toque tube and reweld it.

 

[Stomper]

Good to know this as mine is twisted also. Only about 3/4" but it still bugs the crap outa me when the one side of the bucket touches down before the other. I think I did it trying to dig a stump out

 

[TractorNH]

Are you sure it's the loader frame that is twisted and it's not just the loader brackets attached to the tractor? Sometimes if the bolts get loose enough the bracket can slide just enough in the bolt holes to make it look tweaked. I would try setting the bucket down, loosening all of the frame bolts and see if that allow you to get the bucket to sit flat again.

 

[JHurt]

Are you sure it's the loader frame that is twisted and it's not just the loader brackets attached to the tractor? Sometimes if the bolts get loose enough the bracket can slide just enough in the bolt holes to make it look tweaked. I would try setting the bucket down, loosening all of the frame bolts and see if that allow you to get the bucket to sit flat again.

I'll have to try that when the shop gets completed, or take it somewhere with a level floor.

 

[ovrszd]

Jarid, you're sounding pretty optimistic that ur new shop floor is level......

 

[newbury]

I try and remember my Front End Loader is a LOADER not a DOZER.

But still I occasionally push it hard into things on purpose, like piles of gravel, dirt, weeds, and roots and am very concerned about bending my FEL.

Is the general feeling is that you are safe from bending the FEL as long as you are not spinning your wheels or suddenly hitting an object?

 

[SPYDERLK]

It is probably the torque tube connecting the 2 loader arms in front of the grill. It has taken a slight twist.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Every once in a wile I get my front end loader bent enough so that it isn't level any more. Mostly from digging dirt and using one side more aggressively than the other. It's quite simple to fix. I just dig more aggressively with the opposite side for a few loads. It doesn't take long and the loader is level again.

PS make sure the rear tire pressure is equal on both sides.

 

[RayfromTX]

If it's bad like mine was you can put a heavy steel pipe inside the cross tube extending out on the side that is high and while it is under something that you can't lift you can stress the frame in the opposite direction from what caused the tweak. I lifted the opposite rear wheel off the ground. I wouldn't bounce it and I did it a little at a time with regular checks to keep from over doing it. When I got it to within 1/2 to 3/4 inches of perfect I stopped and since then I have favored that side a bit for heavy lifting. It is pretty close to perfect now. I didn't damage anything else by doing this but I was not confident that it would work or not hurt something else. The plates that the loader frame mounts to are stout but the real concern is tweaking the machine. Your machine may not be able to be fixed without causing severe damage to your tractor but I was able to straighten out a 2"+ sag on one side by carefully applying opposite force.

Be careful and recognize that you are taking a serious risk. I believe that the risk you are taking is the same risk you took in using the machine in a way that tweaked your loader frame in the first place it that helps to put it into perspective.

 

[lucky llama]

I've twisted my FEL a couple of times. What i have done is curl the bucket back until one of the cylinders is all the way back. Then measure how much the other cylinder needs to retract before being fully closed. I then place some of those things that go around a cylinder shaft to keep them from fully retracting on the cylinder that fully closes (I forget what they are called). Then fully retract the curl and keep messing with it until its level. It has worked both times.