FEL install woes

[nessmuk53]

New to the forum and figured someone will have an easy fix for me, at least I hope. Taking the FEL off of my BX1500 was no problem at all, naturally.

Well I screwed up when reinstalling and got the bucket curled over and now I am in a bit of a mess. One of the 3 hydraulic lines gets pulled tight when I mess with it and I am afraid I will pull it apart if I fool with it much. As it stands now I can't get it in position to drop it onto the frame. I was thinking of having a line extension made up to give me slack enough to curl the bucket back up, but is there an easier way of dealing with this than I can think of?

As a last resort I could have a neighbor bring a larger tractor with bucket and just pick it up with a chain and swivel it into place.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Bob Smith
Central VA
(yes that is my name, not just trying to cover for any embarrasment)

 

[JerryG]

As a last resort I could have a neighbor bring a larger tractor with bucket and just pick it up with a chain and swivel it into place.

If you have a neighbor that would be will in to do that. I would say go for it. I know that a pride thing is involved, but that heals better than a damaged hood or radiator. We all live and learn. This is one of those learning things.

 

[milkman]

Here's what I would do, assuming the loader is like the one on the BX2200, if you can unhook the hydro lines, plug the one in that loops back to the tractor before you start it. I would park the tractor along side the loader, with the hydro connections next to the loader hydro connections. Hope this is clear, have the tractor right side parked next to the right side of the loader only on the outside of the loader arms with the right rear wheel of the tractor close to the loader bucket. You should be able to turn off the tractor and connect the loader hoses to the tractor, start the tractor and push down on the loader arms raising the bucket off the ground and carefully rotate the bucket back over the way you want it. Turn off the tractor, unhook the hoses and move the tractor back between the loader arms and install the loader.

 

[wushaw]

Milkman has a good idea here

 

[Glowplug]

Welcome to TBN!!

I had just removed my FEL from my tractor yesterday for the first time. Have never tried to put it back on yet. So, naturally this thread caught my eye. Problem is, I'm having difficulty visualizing your problem. Is your bucket curled too much putting tension on the hose? Maybe a picture?

 

[nessmuk53]

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I will wrestle the bucket out of the shed this weekend and give it a try - milkman's idea - and neighbor with large tractor as a backup. As for the situation. I managed to get the bucket facing straight down (sitting flat on all 4 edges) instead of open front forward.. Not quite sure how I did it, but am **** certain I could do it again

Chuck, If you really want to see a photo I will post one tomorrow.

 

[art]

I'd say invite a couple of good friends over and one on the tractor for hydraulics and just put the loader on! It only takes two in the shop for that size loader to install initially. Five minutes and it would be back on and open the fridge and celibrate with a good laugh!

 

[chrisjbell]

Milkman's idea would probably work...intriguing...but if not...

Just disconnect the hydraulic lines at some convenient fittings (with the thing disconnected from your tractor). You'll spill some fluid, but there isn't all that much in the lines and then you can move the cylinders and straighten your bucket out. Once you've done that it should go back on the tractor much more easily.

Reconnect your fittings, hook the bucket up to the tractor and excersize all the cylinders. Add hydro fluid to the tractor.

But the other folks are also right. While they are not light, FELs are not as substantial as they look and can be moved around by various means (other than the tractor they are meant to be attached to

 

[Glowplug]

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I will wrestle the bucket out of the shed this weekend and give it a try - milkman's idea - and neighbor with large tractor as a backup. As for the situation. I managed to get the bucket facing straight down (sitting flat on all 4 edges) instead of open front forward.. Not quite sure how I did it, but am **** certain I could do it again

Chuck, If you really want to see a photo I will post one tomorrow.

I think I've got it now. I can see how that would be a problem.

 

[Ken]

I replaced the hoses on my loader and added 4 inch to length this gives me more play in attaching loader. Also then have 2 spares to use in case some other line breaks. and know if have spares it will never be needed.
And have no answer on how to attach with out wondering why not fitting.
I frequently remove and then reattach and each time it is a different area of not fitting then all fits properly. I have found the old style of car jack is good to raise each side so can fit over the wheels then lower into the guides
The hood is warped by loader settleing onto the hood and the front cap lever broken by backing out and not seeing was it going to be hit.
Any one else have problems in getting loader off or on.
ken L3600 GST.

 

[milkman]

Milkman's idea would probably work...intriguing...but if not...

Just disconnect the hydraulic lines at some convenient fittings (with the thing disconnected from your tractor). You'll spill some fluid, but there isn't all that much in the lines and then you can move the cylinders and straighten your bucket out. Once you've done that it should go back on the tractor much more easily.

Reconnect your fittings, hook the bucket up to the tractor and excersize all the cylinders. Add hydro fluid to the tractor.

But the other folks are also right. While they are not light, FELs are not as substantial as they look and can be moved around by various means (other than the tractor they are meant to be attached to

I think this is the best idea especially since it is inside, as noted above, just loosen the line on center bucket cylinder and you can probably roll it back over without a lot of help and you'll just lose the fluid from the one cylinder. Brilliant idea there.

 

[nessmuk53]

I am wondering, If I loosen the fitting to the bucket and tilt it I am pulling the cylinder out and losing fluid. I am a complete novice on this end of mechanics. Will the air be displaced by Hydraulic fluid with a bit of back and forth in the controls once all is hooked back up?

Bob
(with the disabled FEL)

 

[kwolfe]

I am wondering, If I loosen the fitting to the bucket and tilt it I am pulling the cylinder out and losing fluid. I am a complete novice on this end of mechanics. Will the air be displaced by Hydraulic fluid with a bit of back and forth in the controls once all is hooked back up?

Bob
(with the disabled FEL)

Bob,
I have a bx1500 with and FEL. Not quite sure how you got it to that. However, that loader is not that heavy (I know, I installed my from the crate). When you are looking at the loader now, I am assuming that the support arms that support the loader when it is off the tractor are not touching the gound, correct? I don't believe the LA181 loader is designed to turn all the way over like some other TLB buckets. If you get another friend or two, you should be able to tip the loader back on to the support arms.

Almost sounds like you pushed it over when installing. Let me know what you think.

 

[milkman]

Will the air be displaced by Hydraulic fluid with a bit of back and forth in the controls once all is hooked back up?

Bob
(with the disabled FEL)

Yes, if you get air into the cylinder, after a few cycles, the air will work its way out, be sure and check the fluid level on the tractor if you lose any fluid. Let us know how it works out, we're all holding our breath.

 

[nessmuk53]

Well, here is a picture of what not to do when trying to attach your FEL. Submitted for the entertainment of one and all

 

[N80]

You and a couple of other guys should be able to lift it up and put it on the tractor by hand. Even the LA703 on my L4400 can be shifted around by one person.

 

[chrisjbell]

Brilliant idea there.

Why, thank you sir! I'm not sure if it deserves "brilliant" but seemed like a simple solution...

Saw the picture, Bob. Fear not - I think we have all done something like that at one time or another (sometimes two or three times or another...). You'll get it dealt with!

 

[simonmeridew]

how about a come a long hooked somehow over a rafter overhead, lift the whole FEL up and reposition it for hookup.
simonmeridew

 

[nessmuk53]

As a last resort I would try that. I was looking at it today though and it does seem that looseing one connector to a metal line will release the pressure on the bucket piston and let me push the piston in and curl the bucket back. Once that is done the battle is over.

 

[tommu56]

nessmuk53
what about coupling the 2 lines to bucket together and fluid should loop around and roll bucket back to normal position.

no fluid loss if careful

tommu56