KL120 Loader Flexing

KiotiJohn · Apr 1, 2006

Tom, it doesn't sound like much deflection at all.
I had a job taking out several stumps today, and while using the backhoe, I notice that when I was on uneven ground, and put the loader all the way down that one side would be on some high ground, and the other on lower ground. It flexed enough so that both ends of the bucket were on the ground.

I didn't have my camera with me, so I couldn't shoot it, but I notice that the cylinders seemed to compensate as I pushed the bucket down. One out some, the other in some.

Since I'm no hydraulic man, I don't know if that is the way it should be or not. I did notice however, that as I was doing some loading of the dirt piles, the loader moved up and down from end to end just a little, digging into the piles. I almost seemed like a cutting action, working the loader into the pile, so it seems to me that the little flex is actually helping, but I can't be sure of that.

The tractor is still on the jobsite as I have some leveling to do there tomorrow, and a sewer line trench to dig. If I can remember my camera, I'll try to take a shot of the same test Steve did. I feel sure I'll get about the same flex.

I did not detect any cracking in the loader today. So far, so good. I would really like to see someone do this with the optional Woods loaders on a CK20 and CK30 as well. They always have seemed sturdier to me.
John

John

KiotiJohn · Apr 1, 2006

( However, you seem to have the one Kioti that does not fit all the rest. Now I'm confused, and if it's true, concerned. )
Dargo, I don't think we can say that yet, as we have not really seen many KL130s doing the test have we?
John

Dargo · Apr 1, 2006

( Dargo, I don't think we can say that yet, as we have not really seen many KL130s doing the test have we?
John )

True, but one with basically zero? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I honestly do NOT think all the others are bad. I really don't.

shvl73 · Apr 1, 2006

Factory spec weight: Total (lbs.) 3064
No mower installed but, box blade on 3pth
Lift capacity of loader at pivot pins: Lift Capacity to Full Height @ Pivot Pins 1020 lbs.
I could try it in the barn but I just put it away for the night. Maybe tomorrow. It was a long day.
All specs are from Mahindra USA website. I don't think the weight of the loader is included in the weight spec and I can't find the weight spec on it. I think the loader is a little on the light side, as compared to others I've seen, but it sure has worked for me. One of these days, I'm going to weigh the material from a full bucket and see what it actually can move.

albmn10 · Apr 1, 2006

Bob, i was looking at your pic comparison, your bricks should be put flush with the outside of the loader and turned lenth wise , like those in the k120 pic, placed where they are is not the same comparison. I have the woods 1012 on my ck30 and ill try that as well on my tractor tomorrow...

HODAK · Apr 1, 2006

albmn10 - you make a good point. Different width blocks, a placement closer to center of a few inches etc, can really give different results even on the same machine. This is interesting stuff though.

Bob_Skurka · Apr 1, 2006

Yup that is a good point. The loader was on the edge of the block so it was not in contact with the full width of the, but it was probably 4 inches in from the edge. That could certainly account for only 1/2" deflection. Even so, I doubt it would have had the large amount of deflection that Steve had. I'm not home today so I can't redo the test for a couple days.

TBDonnelly · Apr 1, 2006

Steve,

Here's how the KL130 access hole, on my FEL, is reinforced with ~1/4" steel in the corners.

Don

Dodgeram · Apr 1, 2006

I had the blocks about halfway between where Steve's were and where Bob's were.
Tomorrow, I'll move them closer to the edge.
Not being a physics major, does it matter if the bucket is flat on the blocks or if the back of the bucket (rounded part) is supporting the weight? I had it flat.
I also checked. No cracks /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Tom

albmn10 · Apr 1, 2006

Just another comment about the whole k120- k130 designs. Having the hydrolic lines inside the loader crossbar does protect them from heavy brush or objects.. On my Woods 1012 the crossbar is very heavy duty with the lines somewhat exposed . Their is a standoff guard mounted on the surface of the crossbar. I am also a little wiser now about this configuration because i actually ripped my guard and lines right off my tractor last fall pushing over a 6 inch oak tree. I grabbed the tree a bit too high and the the tree snapped in half dropping my tractor on the guard and hydrolic lines.. With the lines inside the crossbar id bet they wouldnt have been damaged. A good lesson to remember , be careful when pushing trees over not to ride too far up the tree.. I do however think that kioti should be putting a heavier duty plate and backing in the cross bar area.. I guess their are pros and cons to both designs.. Just my opinion..

IslandTractor · Apr 1, 2006

Bob,

In the "twist test" photo you posted, the lever arm is different than the one Steve posted. His has the block at the very end of the bucket. Yours is about six inches from the edge. That would tend, relatively, to minimize the twisting forces. For this type of test it would seem critical to compare identical points (kinda like the old bucket lift capacity issue with different measurement points confusing the comparison).

I'll try this same test with my KL120 next chance I get (next week unfortunately). Subjectively I notice that if I snag a big root with the toothbar at the bucket edge and lift that the bucket certainly twists enough that I can see it. That is the opposite test to what you guys have been doing but should be about the same strain on the loader. I have checked my loader and I do not have any hairline cracks a la Highbeam. Mine has about 75hrs on it (largely loader work clearing brush).

Bob_Skurka · Apr 2, 2006

Yes, we have already established that I need to do a retest, please read my prior post. I clearly stated that I needed to do that.

But also look at DonnyJ's post and his photo, he also did his test by having his chunk of wood about 4 to 5 inches in from the edge. (DonnyJ's photo shows his placed in a smiliar position as mine is placed). And also take a look at Dodgeram's post, he said he did his half way between mine and Steve's. He needs to do a retest too. And if he needs to retest, then so does Dargo, because Dargo does not have his all the way at the end either, his is in 3 to 4 inches from the edge.

shvl73 was the only one who apparently did the test correctly.

So there are a lot of us who need to do a retest. And from what I now see, we have no conclusions except that shvl73 probably did better in class at school because he can follow directions better than the rest of us /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Steve_Miller · Apr 2, 2006

Don,
Thanks for the picture, this is different than mine and I would assume that they have started too find some of the growing pains and have tried to stregthen the loader at this point as mine does not have those extra strips of metal lining the access panel.

John, Bob,
I have a 54" bucket on mine, not sure what you guys have but if its narrower that may make some difference as to where the block is placed. It's not a really defining scientific experiment anyhow but just a thought to keep in mine as well.

Thanks to all
Steve

Dargo · Apr 2, 2006

( ...And if he needs to retest, then so does Dargo, because Dargo does not have his all the way at the end either, his is in 3 to 4 inches from the edge. )

Liar, liar, pants on fire. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Mine is only about 1/2" from the side other than where the cutting edge protrudes wider than the bucket.

P.S. Mods, Bob is not going to take my comments as actually calling him a liar or that his pants are on fire. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bob_Skurka · Apr 2, 2006

Steve,
Mine is also a 54" bucket. But there are actually a lot of variables. The width of the loader arms would also make a difference. For example if the loader arms are set wider apart then they are closer to the bucket corner and the twisting effect is likely to be less.

So perhaps there is no need for another retest by other brands, but perhaps it would be more useful for you if a few other folks with 120 loaders would 'accurately' duplicate your test to see if what you found is common with all the 120 loaders of if it is an issue with your loader.

(
P.S. Mods, Bob is not going to take my comments as actually calling him a liar or that his pants are on fire. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

Dargo, personally I am deeply offended by your comment and I urge the moderators to ban you. By the way, from now on you need to wear a sign that says "I am Dargo" on your head, knowing that you are a muscular guy I need you to wear that sign so that if I even see you skulking around Indiana I will be able to turn tail and run away like a screaming little girl because I asked to have you banned. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Glen_Ippolito · Apr 2, 2006

Yea Bob please retest. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Dargo · Apr 2, 2006

( Yea Bob please retest. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

Get him Glen, get him!! Just don't ask him to pose on his tractor in any of the pictures. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I mean, c'mon on, how can you make a beautiful silk Hawaiian shirt look bad?! Have you ever seen that one James Bond movie where they have that giant guy in the movie they call "Jaws"? Somebody's gotta know the name of that movie. Anyway, that's Bob except his teeth are pearly white! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Also, I've seen some garage and barn floors that looked entirely too clean! What's up with that? I can't be the only guy with a dirty floor in my barn....am I? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Glen_Ippolito · Apr 2, 2006

Pose I'm glad you told me about that. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Glen_Ippolito · Apr 2, 2006

Dargo,
What do you think about the loaders with toothbars? I think that has something to with this. I bet if we get people to post pic's with toothbars like steve they will have more flex. If they use the toothbar for digging. I would guess people without toothbars will have less. What do u guy's think?

Bob_Skurka · Apr 2, 2006

( ( Dargo,
What do you think about the loaders with toothbars? I think that has something to with this. I bet if we get people to post pic's with toothbars like steve they will have more flex. If they use the toothbar for digging. I would guess people without toothbars will have less. What do u guy's think? ))

Glen I doubt toothbars had any effect at all. I have 3 tractors with loader buckets, I dig will all 3, the toothbar is only installed on one tractor bucket, it helps digging but all 3 will got into a pile of compacted dirt, and all 3 of them are used for that purpose. I probably use the NH more than the other two.

Dargo, personal attacks are not tolerated here on TBN. But share with us your drink recipe. Obviously been having too much fun this morning.