Cannot Attach FEL on DK40

[DK35vince]

this is exactly as i do it. i use the 2 legs it was supplied with. i reattach all 4 hoses then use the 2 levers to jiggle the loader inplace. it only takes me 2-3 minutes. maybe have someone else try to push pins while you jigle loader bucket and lift

Yes, I leave the legs down and use the bucket and loader joystick to line up the pin holes.

 

[k0ua]

this is exactly as i do it. i use the 2 legs it was supplied with. i reattach all 4 hoses then use the 2 levers to jiggle the loader inplace. it only takes me 2-3 minutes. maybe have someone else try to push pins while you jigle loader bucket and lift

Yes, I leave the legs down and use the bucket and loader joystick to line up the pin holes.

Yep, and yep. I rarely take my loader off any more, but I used to take loaders on and of several times a week (to mow, and back on for dirt work) you get better at it the more times you do it.

When you get the loader back on (and you will) the best thing you could do if you have the time is turn right around and take it off again. Put it back on, and do it over next week. A couple times of this (if you can stand the initial pain) and you WILL be a pro. I guarantee it. :thumbsup:

 

[unimog_jason]

I don't have a level surface, any time I remove the loader it's a bit of a fight to get it back on.

Bring the tractor up the the loader, get everything aligned and drive in until the loader is firmly in the pockets, curl your bucket down to get bottom settled in, move the boom cylinders in and out, bucket up and down until one side is mostly aligned.

The pins have tapered ends for a reason, get it started in the hole and drive it in with a hammer until it's all the way in. You don't need a sledge hammer, but a decent hand held hammer will be enough.

Once that's done, go to the other side, jiggle the bucket and boom around until it's close, drive the pin in.

So long as everything is close and you use your head, you're not going to damage anything, those pins are under a lot more stress under normal loader use then you'll ever do with a hammer.

Jason

 

[SSdoxie]

I'm back. Been out of town.

Tried again today. Just cannot get vert. alignment right. Similar on both sides.

I took away the legs and am using just bucket to see if that helps.

At this point I am able to get a couple of metal rods into the holes so at least I can lift bucket clear of ground to play with it.

I'm not sure if II am better off having bottom of bucket on ground or open end of bucket on the ground as i try this.

Here is a pic of where i am at presently. As you can see not there yet. I tried to jack up the chassis to align but did not help.

Interesting thought on removing bucket. What is consensus on this approach.

I may go my dealer with my tail between legs and get his advice.

Never had an issue with my CK25 !!

Top of the loader needs to come down. Roll bucket out for it to rock the loader arm back downward until the lower pins are resting in the cradle. Then use the lift cylinder function to change height of the top pin. Not 100% sure of my geometry but think you may have to extend the lift cylinders (raise) to pivot the top pin back down.

 

[drjay9051]

So close yet so far.

Just cannot get it aligned enough to drive in the pins.

I'm thinking it may be binding so I will grease up the cradles tomorrow and give it another go.

 

[ovrszd]

Still haven't moved that joystick to the "sweet spot" yet.

 

[drjay9051]

Still haven't moved that joystick to the "sweet spot" yet.

I haved moved it everywhere. Small increments and large.



After some grease I may get a couple of long hitch pins and use them to somewhat lock loader in place.

Not the ideal solution but possibly after moving around a bit and raising loader to max height it will drop in place.

Honestly I have spent at least an hour trying to get things lined up.

I feel a bit silly as with my CK25 I had absolutely no issues with remove/replace.

I am swinging by dealer today and will ask about my problem.

Now if he drops by my place and gets it squared away in 5 minutes I'll really feel stupid !!

 

[ovrszd]

As always with online stories there are unknowns.

1. The FEL is bent/twisted from hard use and no longer wants to fit.

2. Your last paragraph applies.

Anxious to hear outcome.

 

[SSdoxie]

Now that you have it close but not quite insert a smaller pin in one side then trip lift into float position. That will allow the lift cylinders to move as need while prying to align the pin.

 

[drjay9051]

Now that you have it close but not quite insert a smaller pin in one side then trip lift into float position. That will allow the lift cylinders to move as need while prying to align the pin.

Interesting thought. Float being joystick to full forward lock as when I back blade an area?

When you say pry are you referring to a bar under the bucket or prying the pin in the hole?

I'd be a happy camper if this works!!!

 

[powerscol]

OK this may sound dumb, but is the lower hook point fully seated? The one time I had my loader off I had an issue connecting up, until I noticed my lower hook point was out of kilter. Once fully seated is was a non issue.

 

[drjay9051]

Problem solved but now bigger ssue !!

Turns out I looked at the cradles in the frame where the loader sits and there was a ton of sand in the cradles. i guess when I removed loader the sand settled.

Cleared out sand and now things are lining up however when I reattached the hydraulics I now have no loader movement !!

Even if I got lines crossed the bucket should do something just not what I expect.

Lines are fully seated, clicked into place and no visible leaking fluid.

When it rains it pours !!

Could I have damaged a pump or something by manipulating the joystick so much ?

I am baffled.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Sounds like you have the lines mixed up, you may have one hose from the lift and one from the curl function hooked to the same spool. If so then the loader will not work.

 

[ovrszd]

Yep, as explained above.

Colored caps or zip ties will prevent this in the future.

 

[powerscol]

Yep - been there. When you operate the control lever does the pump sound like you are dead heading? I also had a disconnect fail internally too. But with that only one function should be affected. With the tractor off depress the center of each to see if they are clear. Your owners manual should be able to tell you which line is which at the valve body. MY Bobcat is already color coded there - I would thing Kioti would be too.

Hang in there

 

[k0ua]

they most assuredly are color coded. Unless they were torn off or something.

 

[Coyote machine]

they most assuredly are color coded. Unless they were torn off or something.

2nd that! ^^^

 

[drjay9051]

Yeah I had the lines mixed up my bucket functions are working I've got the left side p i n I cannot line up the right side pin but will get it tomorrow somehow and I am never taking this off again

 

[k0ua]

Yeah I had the lines mixed up my bucket functions are working I've got the left side p i n I cannot line up the right side pin but will get it tomorrow somehow and I am never taking this off again

The first thing you need to do when you get it back on and working 100%, is take it off and put it back on again. There is nothing wrong with the Kioti, You just need training and experience. Thats all. You know I am right.

 

[DK35vince]

Mowing season coming up soon.
My loader will be coming off.
The loader stays on all winter for snow plowing.
Comes off in the spring/summer for mowing, and only gets put on when I need it, then comes right back off again for mowing.