Loader Don't let this happen to you.

[heviduty]

The kit has a tap, t-handle insertion tool mandrel. and what I first thought was a tapping fixture to help get the tap started straight, but after reading more online about HeloCoils, I think it is a prewinder.

Like I said, I have never used Helicoils before.

Instructions on the package are sparse. From what I gather, the coil is placed in the slot in the prewinder and wound into the tapped hole with the mandrel while holding the prewinder still, is that right?

 

[banjodunn]

G'day the kit should have a tap, insertion tool with collar, and sometimes a tang break off tool ( looks like a straight bit of rod). After you tap the hole put the tang of the helicoil in the slot of the insertion tool ( 'T' shaped handle ) and slide the collar down so the tang cannot sit right in the bottom of the slot as you have to put slight pressure into the hole to get the insert started, if you are pushing on the tang and not the top it is possible for it to jump a thread and give you a bad thread to screw into.
When you have got the insert just under flush in the hole then take the insertion tool out and get the tang remover tool and put it down the hole until you rest on the tang then give it a sharp rap on the end to break the tang off, if you haven't got a removal tool then you can use the insertion tool just put it down the hole with the slot at 90 deg to the tang and do the same thing. Do not try to wind backwards as you will not break it off that way and you may damage the tool.

Good luck with it

Jon Merry Christmas HO HO HO

 

[heviduty]

Well, it's done. The bolts were ruined. Had a hard time finding replacements. Ended up with 50 mm long instead of 40, so I added flat washers.

The cast iron was drilled and tapped dry. I stopped every few seconds and blew out the swarf.


Thanks, everyone, for all your help.

 

[sparc]

Thanks, Jon, I'll look into that. I thought HeliCoil was only for small sizes but I just checked and they go up to 1 1/2" / 39mm.

But watch out for the price of those helicoil taps when you get over 1".
You can make an insert tool from a bolt if need be.

 

[heviduty]

But watch out for the price of those helicoil taps when you get over 1".
You can make an insert tool from a bolt if need be.

Let's hope we never break anything that big!

 

[mkow1969]

Funny thing is i just looked at mine the other day and said to myself... I should check those. But then I got lazy and said i'll do it later.
Thanks for the posting and inspiring me to schedule this for first thing tomorrow morning!

 

[Looking4new]

Funny thing is i just looked at mine the other day and said to myself... I should check those. But then I got lazy and said i'll do it later.
Thanks for the posting and inspiring me to schedule this for first thing tomorrow morning!

Me too! I will go out first thing in the A.M. and do mine. Wheel nuts, too.

 

[crazyal]

Never even thought of checking mine but I got a 1/2" Milwaukee 18v impact wrench for Christmas so I went around checking everything. Nothing was loose but it's probably wise to check them every so often.

 

[Grandad4]

Glad your repair worked! Can't tell from your great close-ups but are the diagonal reinforcements running from the top of the loader mount to the front of the tractor still on the tractor? I could see someone removing them to make working under the hood easier, but that would put severe loading on the bracket mount and might explain why they worked loose so badly.

 

[heviduty]

Glad your repair worked! Can't tell from your great close-ups but are the diagonal reinforcements running from the top of the loader mount to the front of the tractor still on the tractor? I could see someone removing them to make working under the hood easier, but that would put severe loading on the bracket mount and might explain why they worked loose so badly.

Grandad4,
there are no braces going from the loader frame to the front of the tractor, just the two underneath going to the rear end. I don't remember the loader type, but I'll check and see if it should have the front braces also.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[dodge man]

Helicoils are just about the best thing since sliced bread. You don't need them very often, but they work really well. As you probably learned, they are much easier to use than you think.

 

[heviduty]

Grandad4,
there are no braces going from the loader frame to the front of the tractor, just the two underneath going to the rear end. I don't remember the loader type, but I'll check and see if it should have the front braces also.

Thanks for the heads up.

Well, you were right on, Grandad4, the loader is an LA861 and is missing the side frame. Looks like someone replaced the Kubota grill guard with another type, it is massive but doesn't have the mounting points for the missing side frame.

 

[heviduty]

Helicoils are just about the best thing since sliced bread. You don't need them very often, but they work really well. As you probably learned, they are much easier to use than you think.

Right you are, Dave. Works a whole lot better than jamming matchsticks in the hole.:thumbsup:

 

[Grandad4]

Protect the grille but weaken the loader mounting setup so all the really expensive stuff behind the grille is overstressed. Yup. Some really great thinking went into that "improvement". Even if all it's used for is loading mulch, I'd worry that over time that's going to fatigue the loader brackets or the engine block itself and cause a serious failure. Maybe someone could fab up something similar to the factory side frames to mate up with your mega-grill guard. That would have to be less than trying to buy everything you'd need to bring it back to the OEM Kubota setup, if that's even possible.

 

[texasjohn]

I was amazed. Told buddy about posts regarding loose FEL bracket bolts. He said, nah, I've seen what you pick up with it, you'd know if something was loose.

We checked anyway.

Every bolt on right side was loose! Some took a whole rotation to get back to torque of 150 lbs spec.

Left side was better, about half needed tightening while about half were fully torqued down.

Glad I checked!! Thanks, OP, for starting this thread. I only checked because ... well, why not...I, too, was confident I would find all OK...was surprised!

 

[mccash40]

At the risk of appearing stupid, could someone with a BX2360 post a picture of one of these FEL bolts for me? Are they the little bolts that are located right near the grease fittings? I am still new at "tractoring," and I am trying to absorb as much info from this site as I can. I have kept track of the wheels, done my fluid change, added chains and installed an under armour plate, but there is so much I don't know yet. I'm enjoying it all, however.
Thanks in advance.

 

[mccash40]

Well, I don't need the pic after all. I just found them. They are all tight. Thanks

 

[texasjohn]

They are the bolts which hold the frame of the FEL on the main body of engine and transmission. Way back where things attach to the tractor, not out the arms or near the bucket. Big suckers on my tractor. Visual inspection is insufficient...gotta put a wrench on each and really get thepressure on it...150 ft lbs requires a pretty long cheater bar and a real grunt to get that tight.

 

[mccash40]

My son is 6'9", 265, and although I hate to admit it, he can out torque me. He checked them for me and all is well. Thanks.

 

[texasjohn]

I bet he DID get 'em right! Both of my sons out weigh me and tower above me. Wonderful to have a torque son when you need him!!