Bucket Cylinder Attachment Position

gladehound · May 4, 2007

Hi all,

I have another question about my tractor. The bucket curl is a little weaker than I would like. The lift is stronger than the curl If I burry the bucket in gravel with the bucket level. I often can't curl the bucket. I nearly always can lift the bucket. Unfortunately, lifting first causes more gravel to drop. Once the bucket is free of the pile, it curls with no problem.

I noticed on the bucket, there are two places where the cylinder end could be mounted. Mine is mounted on the spot closer to the pivot pin resulting in less force and more speed.

My question is, is there reason I shouldn't switch the cylinder to the other mounting holes to get more curl force

I realize it will be a little slower and that the range of motion may be less.

How hard is this to switch

Thanks.

Ron

hosejockey2002 · May 4, 2007

It might work, but it also may subject the bucket and/or cylinders to more force than what they are designed to take.

DK35vince · May 4, 2007

If it were mine, I would put it in the other hole and try it.
Should be easy enough to knock out the pins and move them to the other hole.

gladehound · May 4, 2007

It would actually be easier on the cylinder. The bucket would have less of a lever arm on the cylinder. So anytime you hit something with the bucket that would normally put a dynamic load on the cylinder, the dynamic load would be less. And since I'm talking about operating at the same hydraulic pressure, the cylinder could not put more force on itself than before.

More force on the bucket is a concern. However, I would feel better about that if I new that larger machines form Kioti had buckets that were of the same gauge steel. If this is the case, than the little 4' bucket that I have would actually be the most rigid because it would have less span. So that's a good question, do Bigger Kioti's have beefer buckets or are they similar?

I actually can't imagine that this little loader could bend its own cutting edge due to too much curl force, the cutting edge is fairly thick. The top edge has loops welded on that I lift with but the entire top edge has been reinforced by welding angle iron to it when the loops were installed.

I guess the only way to know if if I have enough range of motion or if there are clearance problems is to try it.

sure would be nice to have more curl force. Heck more lift would be nice too. Wouldn't mind bumping the pressure up a little. I actually think the loader is way beefy compared to the the hydraulic stress on it. I've see loader arms that had twice the hydraulics (on a 33 hp green tractor) and looked like they were not as strong. Of course, with a near limit load, the aformentioned loader arms would flex around a lot as you drove. The Kioti doesn't flex at all when you max out the hydraulics.

I worry some about the front axle, but less now that I carelessly did a nose stand today with a load of gravel in the bucket and didn't bust anything. I was driving and the front went into a ditch. With the stone in the bucket the sudden decelaration lifted the back end for an instant (filled tires and a rear blade on at the time). I was in 4wd so it climbed right out and didn't stop completely. Would have been more of a jolt in 2wd. I was very happy that nothing broke considering that my operating weight at the time was about 5,000 pounds on a 2,200 pound tractor. Add in the dynamic aspect and I'm sure the front axle saw a dynamic load well in excess of 5000 pounds.

After this experience, I am reasured that this is a tough little tractor. Old school tough. I think the safety margines are fairly high compared to other compacts I have used.

Since nobody seems to have much experience tweaking the LB1914 I better get started so I can report back to those who are thinking about the same.

Anyone know how to raise the max psi on the loader (currently 1900psi on the relief).

rback33 · May 10, 2007

Sure hope I am not too late. Don't move them. You will snap your cylinder rods more than likely. The cylinders will hit the top of the boom arm when it gets to full dump. This will be a costly error.