Loader Ford 1620/7108 issues

KCobraII · Aug 20, 2014

Hello everyone.

New member to the forums. Recently purchased a Ford 1620 HST package from a local third party dealer. It came with a 7108 loader, gannon, and 914a mid mower deck. It's only 2wd, but so far I have been pretty happy with it.

I have been having one issue though, which I'm hoping someone here has a suggestion for. The 7108 loader was on crooked when I got it. Only one of the front hooks was caught by the front plate. Loader front end had a decided 'twist' to it. I disconnected the quick release and backed off to reset it. Thought everything was fine, but now the hooks are short by an inch or so from catching at all when the back mount is aligned so I can tighten it down. I tried loosening the front hook plates to move them back, but they are back all the way. As it is, the hooks just barely catch, and if I try to dig down into something they will quite often spring loose so the front end isn't catching on anything. Hope this all makes sense.

Anyway, I'm about out of ideas. Have tried resetting it a couple of times just to be sure I wasn't doing it wrong (well, I guess I could be, but at least I'm consistent). Could the front base plate be bent back? It was seated properly on the one side before I backed it out to fix the other side. Kinda wish I'd left it alone now.

Thanks.

barbqranch · Aug 21, 2014

Pictures might help to get advice.

KCobraII · Aug 21, 2014

barbqranch said:
Pictures might help to get advice.

Well, it was after dark when I posted the question. I braved the rain to go get pictures a little while ago though.

Thanks.

square1 · Aug 21, 2014

That part on my FEL had been cracked and the repair was poorly aligned causing my loader to be out out whack. I cut it apart and re-welded it to get it back in line.

HTWT · Aug 21, 2014

Take the front support off, It has 4 bolts holding it on. A welding shop should be able to heat it up and bend it forward 1+inches.

KCobraII · Aug 21, 2014

HTWT said:
Take the front support off, It has 4 bolts holding it on. A welding shop should be able to heat it up and bend it forward 1+inches.

I went out and looked at it again. You're right, it's definitely tweaked back. I also noticed that the mount the hooks grab is offset to the rear. Is that support reversible, so I could just take it off and flip it around?

Thanks.

LarryD · Aug 22, 2014

Those catch pins on my 7308 are also offset to the rear. Looking at the parts diagram on Messicks site, there are multiple bolt holes in the frame that could possibly move the top forward. I can't tell how far apart they are though and if the assembly would end up too far forward.
As others have said, I would remove that and check to see if everything is straight. If not, straighten it.

KCobraII · Aug 24, 2014

I wonder if I could bend it back with the loader. LOL In any case, I'll take it all off to see what is tweaked. Won't be able to until next week though. Had to run to Phoenix for a few days.

Thanks everyone for the help.

KCobraII · Aug 28, 2014

KCobraII said:
I wonder if I could bend it back with the loader. LOL In any case, I'll take it all off to see what is tweaked. Won't be able to until next week though. Had to run to Phoenix for a few days.

Hello everyone. Thought I would follow up on this. Removed the loader and once I got it off, that bracket was so loose it just flopped around. I had purchased new grade 8 bolts figuring they would of gotten messed up when that bracket was bent. Well, I put the new hardware on and it fits just perfect now. Didn't need to bend the bracket at all.

Thanks everyone for the help. I really appreciate it.