L 5030 HSTC FEL problem

sparkle · Sep 27, 2006

I own a L5030 HSTC with FEL 853 since June this year. Since the beginning I noticed that the loader went slowly down on his own, even without a load. That happened with or without the engine running. To keep a long story short, the Dealer arranged to see the tractor with the Kubota rep. Kubota claims that one inch of movement on the cylinder in 5 minutes is the norm. Under the inch drop, it is considered normal, more than that is not acceptable.
After the visit (I was at work) the Dealer let me know that the valve from the loader would be replaced. Yesterday that valve got replaced and of course I tried the loader out out as soon as I got home. To my big surprise the loader with the new valve did the same. With the engine off it seems to be a tad slower to drop, but with a load I have to higher the loader every 300-400ft I drive. Doesn't hit the ground immediately but definetely would if I would let it go.
I phoned the Dealer again who says he will arrange a new appointment with the Kubota rep and see what he thinks. I'm wondering what is going on. Two new valves that leak internally? Has anybody else had this experience with his loader? I really hope the rep doesn't ignore this or start claiming that it is within the specs or so. I never expected this from a Kubota loader and I am dissapointed with this performance!Any comments or ideas?

MODiesel · Sep 27, 2006

I've had my L5030HSTC since the new year, and of the accumulated ~130 hours, 75% have been heavy loader work. My property spans a section of gravel road, with some big hills and an impassible year-aound creek right through the middle. That means that almost all loader work involves moving material "up, down and around." Far, far further than a few hundred feet, and often with loads heavy enough to get the rear end light, even with loaded R1 tires.

As such, I'd say a leak down rate of your kind is abnormal. However, I've also had some problems with the loader valve on my rig, especially in cold weather. I've had it freeze to where I couldn't move the joystick until the tractor warmed up for a good half hour. I've also had the bucket dump cylinder really slow up over the last month. And, just this past week, I had to pry up the rubber boot on the joystick to tighten the nut holding the -- now revolving -- loader stick in the mount.

While I haven't had any problems with "feel" on this cable-oriented setup, I'm beginning to wonder how well Kubota has thought it all out. I've had a few other tractors that sat out in the elements all year long, and had loader controls that worked like a top from the minute you fired it up. So, how can a cab-enclosed arrangement ellicit so many problems?

sparkle · Sep 28, 2006

Thanks for your reply MODiesel. So this confirms that there is something not quiet right with that valve.
Have you heard before about the "Kubota" spec of losing one inch of cylinder pressure (messured on the cylinder itself) as acceptable? This seems quiet high to me! How does Kubota and your Dealer react on your problems?
I'm also wondering if we are the only one's that ever had a problem with a loader or loader valve from Kubota? Could those who haven't had any problems at all also let me know please?

toy1 · Sep 29, 2006

I have 5 kobotas all with loaders and I have not noticed any problems with the loaders on any of the machines. I have left the loader up say 3 feet off the ground for over a week on the L4630 and they are still up. Early on I had a problem with the loader valve on my L48 it was more a down pressure problem and Kobota gave me a new designed valve to fix the problem.

Dargo · Sep 29, 2006

I had 2 issues with my L5030HSTC that had me so ticked that I had tried to place an order for the JD 4720 cab before they could order them. The two issues were a jerky hydro pedal and a loader that would bleed down. My loader would bleed down when I was bush hogging and I'd end up sticking it into the ground because it would constantly lower when I was driving it. If you look, you can find the threads here where I complained loudly about those two issues.

The hydro pedal problem was due to a wrong spring installed by the dealer when they assembled it. The assembler knocked the factory spring off and couldn't find it,so he put some other spring he found on.

What had me even more upset was the loader leaking down. I've had nearly two dozen new tractors and none had bled off like the 5030 did. Since it worked, my dealer wasn't overly helpful. It wasn't until after I made a call to Kubota and wrote them a letter (via regular mail; not email). Once I did that, suddenly my dealer became very interested in fixing my tractor. He picked it up and, what a miracle, found the problem.

It seems that my 5030 came from the factory with a defective lift cylinder on the right side of the FEL. I'm told that there was a scratch or some problem like that on the inside of that lift cylinder. They couldn't see the problem and, even after putting new packing in, it still bled down. They installed a new lift cylinder and I've not had any other problems after about 150 hours of relatively heavy loader use.

texasjohn · Sep 29, 2006

I've got a 5030 with 500+ hours on it. Have not dome a whole lot of FEL work... moved about 5 truck loads of baseball sized rock across a creek about 300 yards. More recently, have acquired a bunch of concrete culverts... weighing 1500 to 2800 lbs. I use these on end as fence corner posts. To move the 2800 lb culvert, I have to drop the FEL bucket and I rigged up attachment points between the QA frame and holes in the culverts.. I needed to lose the weight of the bucket to handle the load. I've moved about 50 of these culverts about 400 yards each and placed them exacctly where needed.

I have been extrremely pleased with the strength if the FEL and have not experienced any leak down while operating. Even with 2800lbs on the front. I guess I got a package that went together right the first time.. and am thankful.

sparkle · Sep 30, 2006

DARGO, you had that problem with the cylinder scratch on the inside. How did they finally found out what cylinder it was? Is here a sort of test that can be done? I tend to think that something similar is going on with my loader. It's hard to believe that TWO valves do the same, isn't it? Would you also know if there is a report of some kind on your previous problem so I can let the rep know?
To tractor owners with a FEL of other models I would like to ask if any body had a similar problem to mine and what the outcome was. Thanks a lot!

David_Kb7uns · Sep 30, 2006

I would think if you jacked the loader up and disconected the hoses and plugged them and it still dropped that it would eliminate the valve and maybe indicate bad cylinder seals or bores.
David

bigjohnkub · Oct 2, 2006

an easy way . Borrow you wife's or girfriend's stethoscope and listen to each cylinder with the bucket loaded and engine off. Escaping fluid makes noise. We have had some problems with piston nuts not tight enough and blows o ring around shaft.