Bucket is not level ... Should I worry?

[easygo]

I recently noticed that the bucket on my 7510 is not level when sitting on the garage floor. The right side is slightly (1-1.5") higher. Also as I raise the loader to the top position when the left side stops the right side has to travel another inch or two. I called the dealer and he said I should not worry about that and he stated that it is common for one side to raise slower due to the hydro cylinders not working quiet perfectly in sync. He also said that the frame might be twisted a little, but it would have taken a major impact that should have scared me. I didn't notice any lag in performance and have not found any leaks.
So. My question is: Is that really normal for the bucket not to lift evenly? Should I worry about this?
Thanks
Easygo

 

[Soundguy]

It's not normal.. but at this point.. not much to worry about.

take a straight edge and check out flat surfaces onthe bucket... see if the bucket is warped.. if it looks ok.. remove the bucket and check the linkage... I'll bet you something has a couple degree twist or bend...

soundguy

 

[easygo]

Thanks for the response Soundguy. So. You are saying that if I do find out that something really is out of whack I really can't do much about it? (without major expense)

 

[DickS]

You may have to take it to an auto body repair shop that has the ability (hydraulics) to re-square the loader frame if you determine it is bent. Shouldn't cost more than $100.

 

[pitt_md]

I had this happen on my MX5000 and I found one of the pins in the loader arm had lost a clip and worked itself part way out.

 

[pitt_md]

Thanks for the response Soundguy. So. You are saying that if I do find out that something really is out of whack I really can't do much about it? (without major expense)

Check all of the pivot pins in the loader arm.

 

[brandoro]

My first tractor, B6200 purchased used, came with a similar issue. Also, one side, lift arm, was slightly behind the other where it pins to the bucket. I had the tractor for a while before I noticed it, never made any attempt to repair it and had the tractor 13 years in all with no problems because of that.
My opinion only, unless you are concerned that it is twisted enough that it may cause problems later on I wouldn't worry too much. Guess you could set the bucket on a flat floor, remove the pins where it attaches to the loader frame on the tractor and see how much it moves. Might be hard to put the pins back. If it is placing a lot of pressure on the pins/bushings it might be worth making a repair.

 

[Soundguy]

Thanks for the response Soundguy. So. You are saying that if I do find out that something really is out of whack I really can't do much about it? (without major expense)

Unles you have the propepr equipment to straighten frames ( like the poster below indicated ).. it's hard to do in your garage with jacks and chains.. but can be done.. just got to watch out you don't make it worse..

soundguy

 

[ampsucker]

if you are looking at the bucket while attached to the tractor on the floor, check:

- floor is level
- all tires have same air pressure
- tractor is evenly loaded (nothing heavy on one corner like ballast shifted, etc.)

once you isolate the problem, repair or replace. if all else checks out, you might consider some type of shim stock at the loader bracket mounting points to bring things in line.

 

[N80]

Has anyone mentioned making sure that the bolts that hold the loader frame on the tractor are properly tightened?

 

[easygo]

Thanks everyone for your pointers. The loader is still under warrenty. I guess I forgot to mention that. Is this something that might be covered under that?

 

[easygo]

(posted too quickly)
The dealer didn't say and I tend not to trust him. Instead he gave me the tale of normal, uneven hydro action on one side ... story.

 

[kevinj]

(posted too quickly)
The dealer didn't say and I tend not to trust him. Instead he gave me the tale of normal, uneven hydro action on one side ... story.

You might try reading the manuals for the loader and tractor, then double check that the installation is proper, tire pressure, bolt torque, etc. Is the floor level? Is the bucket level 2" off the floor?

 

[easygo]

I bought the tractor used and have no manual for the loader. It has just a little warrany on the machine and some more on the loader as it was installed later.

 

[kevinj]

I bought the tractor used and have no manual for the loader. It has just a little warrany on the machine and some more on the loader as it was installed later.

You should be able to get the manuals from a dealer. You will need them for many things in the future.

 

[easygo]

It is about one and a quarter of an inch off the floor. I will check in the other garage bay and compare this afternoon. It is a wood floor after all. I will also check tire pressure. If they torqued the bolts as much as thy did so on the wheels, I may not be able to budge those puppies at all. I bought the tractor used and have no manual for the loader. It has just a little warranty on the machine and some more on the loader as it was installed later.

 

[easygo]

After checking the loader operation last night I found something a little strange. As many of you suggested I did a double check on level area of the garage and the loader isn't as far off as it appeared before.
The other thing I noticed when the loader is close to the ground the right side is a little higher about 1/2 to 3/4 inch. When I raise the loader to the top position it is the other way around. The left side seems to reach the max height about 3/4 to 1 inch before the right then just the right cylinder pushes up the rest. This inconsistency is kind of puzzling. Is it a hydraulic cylinder problem? Ho can it be bent and not be off the same way in the two end positions?
Thank you all for your help
Easygo

 

[charlz]

Sounds like the loader on my old b7100. I have looked at it once or twice... loosed all the mounting hardware bolts and tried to reset/tighten everything up, didn't really help. The one downside is that the right side, which is lower, digs in first and the loader frame flexes a bit allowing it to dig in even more before the left side starts to dig, compounding the problem. On my loader the cross member (if that was it is called) between the loader arms has been welded back in. I am thinking they didn't get everything trued up before welding or welding heat warped the frame (lots of arc welding passes it looks like). Might want to inspect that on your loader to ensure nothing is cracking etc. Other than that I think it is slop in all of my pins... this thing is over 30 years old One of these days I will take off the bucket and then the loader and sit it on a level floor to see whats going on.