Loader Kubota FEL issue

[jcummins]

I've bought a grapple and have plumbed in a diverter valve. Went to hook it up and could not get the handles that snap it in to go down on the right side. Oh so close, but I could tell something isn't lining up right. I started to take a binder (which I down have here) and pull it in enough for the handle to snap in, but before I did, trying to size up what the issue is, and what needs to be done about it.

Below are some pictures of the FEL with no attachment at full curl up and down. Not sure which side is wrong, but you can see the alignment issue. What's the fix?

 

[jcummins]

Well now not so sure if the FEL or the grapple is the issue.

I've seen slop in the ends of those arms on other tractors and since i hadn't had the bucket off before (bought used 9 months ago) i went back to see how good the bucket reattached. Fit perfect.

Scratching my head as to how and figure which is wrong.

 

[jcummins]

As I've gotten older, perhaps a little wiser, I've learned it is sometimes best not to force the issue. I've tore up stuff doing that. In this instance.....I decided some force of the right kind may work....and it did. Didn't really solve the problem, but once it's on, you don't notice it at all.

It's on, works great. My last grapple I run with a rear remote, and I got use to it and never thought I needed to spend the dollars to do it different. Now, my rears are tied up, so I went the diverter route. With this diverter, what very little I've worked it, I most certainly like better.

 

[kennyd]

Here is a recent thread on the same basic problem: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/314969-kubota-l3800-loader-problems-twisted.html

 

[skyhook]

Don't worry, it's just a safety issue,,
get it straightened and all will be good...
Just don't use the loader anymore.

 

[Xfaxman]

Well now not so sure if the FEL or the grapple is the issue.

I've seen slop in the ends of those arms on other tractors and since i hadn't had the bucket off before (bought used 9 months ago) i went back to see how good the bucket reattached. Fit perfect.

Scratching my head as to how and figure which is wrong.

The attachment plates are twisted on the FEL.

If the bucket fits tight on both sides, where I added the arrows to your picture, then it is twisted also.


Check the grapple fit at the same place and the latch pin on the tweaked side. If it pops out it will really bend the cross tube on the attachment plate.

 

[jcummins]

Yep...gap there with the grapple, not with the bucket. The handle snapping it in on the grapple, after I put a little pressure on it, was tough to get down....but it's there. I'm going to use, keeping an eye on it.

How do I get it twisted back....pressure on the top left attachment plate? And if I do get it back, where's the reinforcement point that needs beefed up?

 

[jcummins]

I used the grapple today, moving and stacking several dead trees. I was watching the connection on the right FEL arm the whole time. Did not seem to be a problem. I've done some reading and many say this is a common problem, and all FEL are off in one way or the other. BUT...it bothers me. I want to fix it.

Seems the common fix is to put some hydraulic pressure ....AT THE RIGHT POINTS.... and that's my issue now, not sure what way to pressure this fel to realign. I've looked at all the welds, and the straightness of the entire FEL, and the only thing that looks wrong is the attachment 'feet' on the FEL. The grapple which I current have on, appears only slightly higher on the left fel arm....more so driving the tractor than on the barn floor. I haven't taken a measure, but on my flat barn floor, bottom grapple down, I'd say about 1/2" or so higher on left than right. The pictures of the 'feet' shows the right foot more towards the tractor on the bottom of it than on the left. BUT which one is right, the left one or the right one.

IF I did anything right now, I'd brace the left side at the top so it can't go up, then put a hydraulic jack on the right side and jack up the right side.....but certainly not sure. Is that type of pressure going to torque the bottom of the right foot out? Anyone?

 

[jcummins]

BTW I have read this thread all the way through. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/186059-anyone-ever-straighten-twisted-fel.html

With my grapple pointed down like he did with his bucket, I see almost NO difference left to right. Although I have not gone through measurements (and I probably should do that), it seems the poisiton of the kurl makes a difference as to how far off left and right are. Here again I mention the really only true place you see that is in the feet on fel when I attempted to put the grapple on.

 

[Xfaxman]

I used the grapple today, moving and stacking several dead trees. I was watching the connection on the right FEL arm the whole time. Did not seem to be a problem. I've done some reading and many say this is a common problem, and all FEL are off in one way or the other. BUT...it bothers me. I want to fix it.

Seems the common fix is to put some hydraulic pressure ....AT THE RIGHT POINTS.... and that's my issue now, not sure what way to pressure this fel to realign. I've looked at all the welds, and the straightness of the entire FEL, and the only thing that looks wrong is the attachment 'feet' on the FEL. The grapple which I current have on, appears only slightly higher on the left fel arm....more so driving the tractor than on the barn floor. I haven't taken a measure, but on my flat barn floor, bottom grapple down, I'd say about 1/2" or so higher on left than right. The pictures of the 'feet' shows the right foot more towards the tractor on the bottom of it than on the left. BUT which one is right, the left one or the right one.

IF I did anything right now, I'd brace the left side at the top so it can't go up, then put a hydraulic jack on the right side and jack up the right side.....but certainly not sure. Is that type of pressure going to torque the bottom of the right foot out? Anyone?

That might twist the loader arms

This tube is twisted, not the loader arms.

BTW I have read this thread all the way through. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/186059-anyone-ever-straighten-twisted-fel.html

That is not your problem, you FEL is not twisted, only the tube on the quick attach is twisted. kennyd gave you the correct link.

Here is a recent thread on the same basic problem: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/314969-kubota-l3800-loader-problems-twisted.html

With my grapple pointed down like he did with his bucket, I see almost NO difference left to right. Although I have not gone through measurements (and I probably should do that), it seems the poisiton of the kurl makes a difference as to how far off left and right are. Here again I mention the really only true place you see that is in the feet on fel when I attempted to put the grapple on.

When curled all the way down, there should not be a gap where the arrows are.


IT should be in contact like the right side is.


I would measure the gap, put the right side against an immovable object and curl down until the left side moves slightly more than the gap. You may need someone there to measure while it moves.