Front end loader - frozen lock pin

[pockman]

Hi all,

I have a probably rediculous issue. I was swapping my bucket for forks the other day and found one of the locking pins hopelessly frozen. It's always given me a little grief but I've had the bucket on for a few years so it's had time to freeze. I tried PLENTY of penetrating oil. Nothing.

I pounded the pin up with a hammer enough to be able swap out the forks but obviously this needs addressing - it is no looser. I would like to pull the pin all the way out and clean it, sand it, replace it - whatever it takes to get the action smooth.

However, the linkage elbow has a pin through it. And that pin goes through a channel in the fel frame (pictured). I dont want to just start hammering and hoping. How would be best to proceed while minimizing collateral damage?

Thanks for taking the time.

 

[4570Man]

It doesn’t look like there’s a factory grease fitting on that. My Kubotas have a grease fitting and if I neglect greasing it it’s a duplicate of your experience. If it’s greased it works easy. I’d pull the pin completely out of the holder and drill and tap the holder for a grease fitting.

 

[Tinhack]

Even my after market adapter plates came with grease fitting for the pins. But something may be tweaked if you had to hammer the pins up. Is there any clearance at the bottom of the plates where pins meet the attachment? Do the taper on the pins engage the attachments at equal length?

 

[SPYDERLK]

Hi all,

I have a probably rediculous issue. I was swapping my bucket for forks the other day and found one of the locking pins hopelessly frozen. It's always given me a little grief but I've had the bucket on for a few years so it's had time to freeze. I tried PLENTY of penetrating oil. Nothing.

I pounded the pin up with a hammer enough to be able swap out the forks but obviously this needs addressing - it is no looser. I would like to pull the pin all the way out and clean it, sand it, replace it - whatever it takes to get the action smooth.

However, the linkage elbow has a pin through it. And that pin goes through a channel in the fel frame (pictured). I dont want to just start hammering and hoping. How would be best to proceed while minimizing collateral damage?

Thanks for taking the time.

Check out Roll Pin Punches at McMaster Carr.

 

[Smokeydog]

Pretty shiny tractor to have a frozen pin. All mine have grease zerks, Kubota inside, Bobcat outside. Have to tap the roll pin to clear the backing plate to remove. Either drill for zerks or routinely spray with lubricant like corrosionX when greasing loader pins.

 

[Williy]

can you move the bucket? Moving the bucket just
might loosen up a bit.. I have to do that to my back
hoe to get the pins out. Are you using a 5lb hammer?
Is you hand on the end of the handle? You may even
have to prop up the bucket for some leaway.

willy

 

[Midniteoyl]

You can remove the whole quick attach plate from the arms. The pins are seen in the pic. Just removing the top one and letting it pivot down would give you more room to work, but I would remove it. Then you can see about drilling and tapping for a zerk for lubrication.

 

[IndyJay]

...Are you using a 5lb hammer?
Is you hand on the end of the handle?

willy

Don't force it, get a bigger hammer...

 

[FastEddieR]

My Branson 4720 does the same... I just spray the hell out of it, raise the bucket up to a comfortable height and then take a large punch and a hammer, and (not so) gently tap the bottom of the pin and (try to) move the release lever until it frees up. PITA. I've taken it apart and cleaned and sanded the pin and the hole several times along with spraying lube on it. If I don't move it enough in a while it seizes up again. Wash, rinse, repeat...

 

[SPYDERLK]

My Branson 4720 does the same... I just spray the hell out of it, raise the bucket up to a comfortable height and then take a large punch and a hammer, and (not so) gently tap the bottom of the pin and (try to) move the release lever until it frees up. PITA. I've taken it apart and cleaned and sanded the pin and the hole several times along with spraying lube on it. If I don't move it enough in a while it seizes up again. Wash, rinse, repeat...

I am lucky to have a hammer that is "just right". Its a 4# steel cheapy. It is a little softer than normal steel hammers and will take a modest mark from a hard pin and cause no damage to the pin. My go to for shocking a SSQA pin free. Holding a punch can be darned inconvenient sometimes.