L39 front bucket pins

[kubota nut]

I have a L39 that just turned over 500 hours. It has a quick attach option for the front bucket and a set of forks. My Problem: When I raise the bucket to the top and rotate the bucket there is s lot of slop. to the point of being a saftey issue. This TLB has been lubed at least every 10 hours. I've pulled the pins in front and there is very little visable wear, however, the brackets that the pins go through seem to be worn. I.m going to take in brackets to a machine shop and see if steel bushings can be inserted . Does
anyone know if this is a reacurring problem or if there is some type of simple fix that I just dont know about. It seems as if the metal on the brackets is awfull soft.

 

[kubota nut]

Wonder why there is no help on this issue!

 

[amigauser]

By slop do you mean the Q/A pins are loose or the actual FEL pins?

 

[Charlesaf3]

I'm afraid your description isn't really clear - can you post pictures?

On a practical note, would adjusting the tension on the springs help? They do lose tension, and are adjustable for a reason

 

[RFB]

I have had some recurring problems with the QA pins on my 5030 (853 FEL)

The telescoping tapered pins come to a very sharp bevel; much sharper than needed to enter the locking cutout in the bucket of other attachment. One pin has fractured at the tip, and there is insufficient tension to hold the bucket on with any upward or backdrag pressure.

I tried shimming the spring with no joy.

Then I discovered that there is a bulletin (Kubota) regarding this and the new pin/spring retrofit kit is on order now. Kubota is covering the parts and labor.
It took me 4 weeks of calls and emails to find the fix on this. I do not know the number on this retrofit, but the Kubota regional rep said that they were aware of the issue and were supposed to contact all affected owners (but some like me slipped through the cracks).

 

[kubota nut]

Its the FEL Pins not the QA pins

 

[mike69440]

The problem is not so much a lot of wear in the pins, but the geometry of the linkage at full curl or an extreme dump.

I feel your pain, as my L39 has become more sloppy. Even new it had slop, and I grease the bucket pins about every 10 hours also. About 900 hours on my abused bad boy.

If you have a shop work the loader arms for bushing, I'd try Garlock bushing made for heavy equipment.
Plain Bearings, Sleeve Bearings, Self-lubricating Bearings, Bushings - GGB

Let me know how you make out

 

[kubota nut]

I agree, it seems to be some sort of a design flaw. the bucket will curl back to much at the top. Thats the only place I have slop.

 

[pdeal]

I noticed a little slop in mine too when fully curled but I can't see how this matters. It only happens when I am traveling with nothing in the bucket. When the bucket is loaded it stays put because of the weight. When the bucket is folded forward the linkage is such that it does not wobble.
Edit: On second thought maybe I did notice it when traveling fully loaded but still can't see why it matters.

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

Four-bar linkage on the L39 bucket magnifies the slop in the bucket pins. There are multiple pins (each pin adds an amount of slop) for the four-bar linkage compared to one on each cylinder on a direct-pinned bucket. The slop in the multiple pins is compounded by the geometry when fully rolled back since the bucket travels further relative to the cylinder rod travel which tends to be true for all loaders, direct pinned or four-bar linkage. A full bucket will load the linkage enough to minimize the evidence of the slop.

There isn't much that can be done about the slop...just the nature of the beast. It will get progressively worse as the hours add up. Greasing the pins helps to minimize wear. Smoother operation of the loader will help to minimize the pin wear and also try to keep from dead-heading the cylinder at the end of its travel. "Shaking" material out of the bucket is the worst for wear.

 

[xmoto]

I have a L3410 with a LA481 FEL I bought used this year and the FEL pin for the bucket and where the lifting arms attached are very worn, look like eggs instead of round. I am going to have to cut out the old bushings and make new ones. Tractor has 1600 Hrs on it and I dont think it has had a easy life.

 

[Stonehaller]

The problem is not so much a lot of wear in the pins, but the geometry of the linkage at full curl or an extreme dump.

I agree that the geometry of the linkage causes the problem. A small amount of wear gets amplified at full curl. My Case DX45 does not have this problem, but it does not have as wide of angle that it can curl the bucket through as the L39. With the L39, it is easier to haul a full bucket with the loader down low and not spill as it can curl the bucket back farther. I have to raise the bucket higher on the Case to avoid spilling.

 

[pdeal]

Stonehaller I agree. I think they have tried to maximize the bucket tilt on both ends and this is the result. I will take it as is though. I too have noticed as i travel it has much less tendency to spill. Also, as I once saw Messicks pointed out you not do any scraping with the bucket at its full dump position. It has very little strength in this position too and you can bend something. I always curl my bucket a little before scraping.