FEL DROPS OVER NIGHT
- Thread starter JMP
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karmakanic
Silver Member
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- NE Texas
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- Kubota L35 TLB, John Deere 550 dozer, Cat D-2 dozer, Allis Chalmers HD-11 dozer
I would say that some dropping is normal, especially overnight. Some people believe there shouldn't be any, but I look at it this way. The hydraulic control valves always have some seepage, after all there has to be some clearence between valve and valve body for movement and lubrication.
In fact, when parking for any extended period of time, I make it a practice to drop all implements to the ground and move the hydraulic controls (with engine off) until I've released all the pressure in the circuits. Leaving the circuits loaded increases the wear.
Dave Perry
In fact, when parking for any extended period of time, I make it a practice to drop all implements to the ground and move the hydraulic controls (with engine off) until I've released all the pressure in the circuits. Leaving the circuits loaded increases the wear.
Dave Perry
art
Super Member
Over night is not unusual and well within the manufacturers specification. Unfortunately they do not put check valves on loaders and they can't to the best of my knowledge which would remedy this. All hydraulics should be left in the down position.
JerryG
Super Member
Art,
Why couldn't you put a check valve on a loader? I have been thinking about that for a while. But if it would creat a problem I don't want to do it.
Why couldn't you put a check valve on a loader? I have been thinking about that for a while. But if it would creat a problem I don't want to do it.
Kelvin
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- B2910 & BX23 (previously B2150 & B7100D)
On my B2150 the loader drops an inch or so every 30 minutes, but the rear 3-point hitch will hold implements up for days. Note that the loader drops at this rate regardless of whether the engine is running or not; when mowing for several hours I have to occasioinally raise the FEL so it wont hit the ground.
Note that it is dangerous to park the tractor and leave the implements up, ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN AROUND. A year or so ago I made the mistake of leaving the FEL up high enough so that I could sit in the bucket while waiting on someone to come help on the project I was working on. I let a neighbor's kid sit on the tractor and pretend he was driving it. After a while I sat back down in the bucket just in time for the kid to lower the bucket. Fortunately I was able to quickly stand up and clear the path of the dropping FEL bucket and didn't suffer any harm...but it was close. I really fear what would have happened had I not been there would've been a second kid around the bucket when it came down.
Kelvin
Note that it is dangerous to park the tractor and leave the implements up, ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN AROUND. A year or so ago I made the mistake of leaving the FEL up high enough so that I could sit in the bucket while waiting on someone to come help on the project I was working on. I let a neighbor's kid sit on the tractor and pretend he was driving it. After a while I sat back down in the bucket just in time for the kid to lower the bucket. Fortunately I was able to quickly stand up and clear the path of the dropping FEL bucket and didn't suffer any harm...but it was close. I really fear what would have happened had I not been there would've been a second kid around the bucket when it came down.
Kelvin
art
Super Member
Check valves can't be used at all when you need float and are not used when feathering is needed.
mdbarb
Gold Member
Definetly -I ALWAYS (almost) drop everything then wiggle the joy stick to make sure nothing can move. several hundred pounds poised to drop from just a bump can do alot of harm
BeeBop
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I guess some do and some don't. I have a friend w/a 2900 'Bota and his drops as when I had a 2900 mine didn't but then again I had a Woods loader on mine. I now have a 4610 and I must be lucky because you can leave raised overnight and the next day it doesn't appear to have fallen any.
RoyJackson
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"PURCHASED A NEW BX2200 THIS JUNE. FOUND THAT IS I LEAVE THE LOADER UP OR THE 60MMM, THEY DROP OVER NIGHT. IS THIS COMMON? ANY HELP IS THANKFULL.
"
Your manual probably states to lower all implements upon shutting down the tractor.
<font color=red>This is a basic safety precaution. </font color=red>
Why would you want to leave your FEL up, anyway?
"
Your manual probably states to lower all implements upon shutting down the tractor.
<font color=red>This is a basic safety precaution. </font color=red>
Why would you want to leave your FEL up, anyway?
OK, so other posters have relayed the idea that implements should be left on the ground, and the pressure in the FEL circuit released, when you leave the tractor overnight. Will the 3pt and FEL drop if you don't - yes, but seemingly at various speeds depending on the state of the tractor hydraulics, and the manufacturer's specs. The FEL on my 3410 takes many days to drop (I left it up by mistake - never have left the 3pt up, so can't comment). No big deal.
MOST TIMES I DO LOWER ALL ATTACHMENTS, I HAVE A NEW PUPPY WHO LIKES TO CHEW ON EVERYTHING. HAD TO TAKE THE SEATS OUT OF THE VAN FOR THE WEEKEND AND DIDN'T WANT THEM CHEWED ON. JUST THE KUBOTA SHOWING MY WIFE IT'S GOOD FOR MORE THEN JUST YARD WORK.
CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT'S NORMAL FOR THEM TO DROP. SEEMS WEIRD WHEN MY 1941 MODEL A BUCKET WILL STAY UP FOR EVER. WE WON'T GO TO JD VS KUBOTA.
CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT'S NORMAL FOR THEM TO DROP. SEEMS WEIRD WHEN MY 1941 MODEL A BUCKET WILL STAY UP FOR EVER. WE WON'T GO TO JD VS KUBOTA.
Kodiak
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I think I would get a different opinion than your dealers. Maybe go to Kubota corporate headquarters themselves. My 1980 Kubota L345 DT has never had a settling problem. And thats with 1600 hours, mostly loader work.
JimC
Silver Member
Interesting,
I found on my BX2200 that if I set the lock on the lever it holds up just fine, I needed to hold the FEL up to work on my front end weights and I put a stand under the FEL so it would not drop on me if some one happened to lean on it and I didn't want it to get in the way.
The stand was about 6 inches lower than the bucket, but it would keep it from coming down on me.
The loader did not drop, and I left it up all night just for a test.
I guess that because it pushes the lever up just a little bit must have something to do with it, at least that is my theory untill I hear a better one.
I still lower the bucket, or use a stand when I am not using it, but I can have it hold something up for a while while I am getting it ready to load on a trailer or whatever.
Has any one else tried this?
I found on my BX2200 that if I set the lock on the lever it holds up just fine, I needed to hold the FEL up to work on my front end weights and I put a stand under the FEL so it would not drop on me if some one happened to lean on it and I didn't want it to get in the way.
The stand was about 6 inches lower than the bucket, but it would keep it from coming down on me.
The loader did not drop, and I left it up all night just for a test.
I guess that because it pushes the lever up just a little bit must have something to do with it, at least that is my theory untill I hear a better one.
I still lower the bucket, or use a stand when I am not using it, but I can have it hold something up for a while while I am getting it ready to load on a trailer or whatever.
Has any one else tried this?
dgood1
Silver Member
Try going to this site for an explanation of the reason for a FEL dropping.
http://tractorsmart.com/Kubota Service Tips/Kubota Loader Service Tips.htm#BoomLeaksDown
Don
http://tractorsmart.com/Kubota Service Tips/Kubota Loader Service Tips.htm#BoomLeaksDown
Don
Buck
Platinum Member
JMP,
Thanks for asking this question. I was about to ask the same. My FEL just started this behavior and I was somewhat concerned.
Buck
Thanks for asking this question. I was about to ask the same. My FEL just started this behavior and I was somewhat concerned.
Buck
Turfman
Gold Member
I drop my implements when I get off. Kind of an emergency brake. I can't leave them up, as there are too many kids around and one push of the lever and I get sued.
RFischer
Silver Member
I drop the FEL as part of my routine before I shut off the engine. Not only for safety but, I see no real reason to leave it in the up position.
