Kubota Grand L FEL Joystick

[bdhsfz6]

Now that I have a few hours doing FEL work with my new L6060 HSTC, I find I'm not happy with the cable actuated, fender mount joystick. Yes, it's more comfortable when using it with the armrest and it does make more room to mount the tractor on the right. I find however, that I lose the ability to make very fine feathering adjustments when working with the bucket and pallet forks due to the cable stretch effect. I had hoped I would get used to using it and have adapted somewhat to the cable action. I still much prefer the "Iron on iron" feel of a spool valve connected directly to an iron joystick.

I talked to the dealership about this and they verified the joystick cable mechanism is tensioned & lubed to spec.

Is it just me or have others noticed this difference? I doubt there is any fix for this so it's just a matter of adapting to the feel of the cable mechanism. Luckily, I have the standard FEL valve on my MX5800 to use when necessary.

 

[JWR]

I really can't picture a cable stretch effect on a loader valve feel or preformance. Especially since the dealer says things are tensioned correctly. I think what you are feeling is a different machine, not loader valve cables.

 

[Fallon]

There is backlash on any mechanical system. There are more moving parts & slightly stretchy parts on a cable system, than direct linkage.

I've had my L4060hstc for 5 years now & can't recall how much sloppily it is than my old L3200. But especially doing precision forklift work i do notice the slop. It iritates me. Spotters end up getting annoyed as I ever so slowly creep the joystick around to wait to see if I get that tiny precision movement at the tips of the forks.

Excavators use to use a hydraulic pilot system instead of cables. Less backlash or slop for better control. More expensive than cables, but cable routing for that many cables on an excavator would be nasty & really sloppy. I'm assuming most excavators have gone to electronic controls now though. I recall some people complaining that electronic joysticks weren't as good or sensitive as hydraulically piloted ones.

 

[bdhsfz6]

There is backlash on any mechanical system. There are more moving parts & slightly stretchy parts on a cable system, than direct linkage.

I've had my L4060hstc for 5 years now & can't recall how much sloppily it is than my old L3200. But especially doing precision forklift work i do notice the slop. It iritates me. Spotters end up getting annoyed as I ever so slowly creep the joystick around to wait to see if I get that tiny precision movement at the tips of the forks.

Excavators use to use a hydraulic pilot system instead of cables. Less backlash or slop for better control. More expensive than cables, but cable routing for that many cables on an excavator would be nasty & really sloppy. I'm assuming most excavators have gone to electronic controls now though. I recall some people complaining that electronic joysticks weren't as good or sensitive as hydraulically piloted ones.

I suppose I wouldn't notice the issue as much if I didn't also use the MX5800 with an iron joystick. Without the second tractor, I would be forced to get used to the cable actuated system. As it is, I almost always use the MX for pallet work on high racks.

 

[old and tired]

Can you install an adjustable hydraulic needle valve within the system? This would slow down the speed of the loader arms and be able to make finer adjustments, would that help you?

My hydraulic top and side link would respond way too quick to make fine adjustment. I installed a needle valve and slowed my hydraulic flow so that I could make fine adjustments.

Amazon.com : hydraulic flow control valve

 

[bdhsfz6]

Can you install an adjustable hydraulic needle valve within the system? This would slow down the speed of the loader arms and be able to make finer adjustments, would that help you?

My hydraulic top and side link would respond way too quick to make fine adjustment. I installed a needle valve and slowed my hydraulic flow so that I could make fine adjustments.

Amazon.com : hydraulic flow control valve

I assume by "needle valve" you mean a flow restrictor. Such a device would certainly help but it would slow down the function of the FEL cylinders. It would hamper operations like dumping a bucket.

 

[old and tired]

If you put it within reach, (not sure how much room you have in a cab, I guess not much) you can go from restricted to full flow with a simple adjustment.

Hydraulic Adjustable Variable Flow Control Valve w/Relief, 0-16 GPM, 8 SAE: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Hydraulic Adjustable Variable Flow Control Valve w/Relief, 0-16 GPM, 8 SAE: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.com

 

[Fallon]

I assume by "needle valve" you mean a flow restrictor. Such a device would certainly help but it would slow down the function of the FEL cylinders. It would hamper operations like dumping a bucket.

I don't have issues getting fine movement out of my forks. It just takes time to slowly get the joystick there. The input is slightly gummy & vague. When you push on the stick you don't immediately know if you are taking up slack in the cables or moving the valve.

I have flow restrictiors on my TnT cylinders & they are very needed there. But they wouldn't be appropriate for the loader. They would slow everything down.

For me the issue isn't speed, it's knowing exactly where the valves engage. It's not a huge problem & I use it for precision forklift or other precision loader work all the time just fine. It's just a little slow & annoying to try & creep the joystick into that precision.

 

[jjp8182]

Stupid question: where are the engine RPMs when you're having this problem?

Reason I ask is the only time I really have issues with lack of response is when I'm operating at lower engine RPMs. Granted with the relatively low flow hydraulic system even operating at full throttle there isn't the best feel/reaction for very small precise movements, but it gets far worse at lower RPMs.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Stupid question: where are the engine RPMs when you're having this problem?

Reason I ask is the only time I really have issues with lack of response is when I'm operating at lower engine RPMs. Granted with the relatively low flow hydraulic system even operating at full throttle there isn't the best feel/reaction for very small precise movements, but it gets far worse at lower RPMs.

Actually, I find operating at low RPM helps me with fine pallet fork positioning when using the cable joystick. Higher RPM's make the action more erratic.