LA403 Loader still crooked

Barnboy · Sep 7, 2006

I finally recieved the right side upright for the loader. Installed it and loader is still out. Whats wierd is when you fully extend the loader the left side will extend the lift cylinder fully then you will see the force of the loader tweak the frame and finish extending the right side. The left side is the side that picks up first off the floor then looking at the brush guard(So air pressure is not a issue) you can see the left side is aprox 3/4" higher than the right.I give up. I have been patient with Kubota.Loader is now out of warranty and I"m stuck with this. I'm going to call dealer tomorrow and see about trading it in for L series.I'm sure I'll lose lots of $$ but this loader drives me nuts everytime i get a heavy load on the low side. It just looks bent! I may try to elongate the left side upright holes to bring it to level. I guess I cant hurt anything its all mine now. What do you all think? Maybe I'm to picky??

Toolguy · Sep 7, 2006

Since you have been talking to the dealer about this problem when the loader was under warranty and they attempted to correct it, I would think that it is still a warranty issue. You might have to get tough with them if they try to brush you off now. You should not have to lose money because of a problem with a new piece of equipment. If you do decide to trade for a L model you should be entitled to a fair trade in price. You probably can't expect to get what you paid for for it but a generous trade deal should be reasonable. I am sorry to hear that Kubota does not have a fix for this problem. I have a B3030 with FEL and mine seems to be straight. However, I could have just as easily been a victim of a bad part, as well. I hope you get this resolved to your satisfaction. Good luck.

Barnboy · Sep 7, 2006

We'll see what they say tomorrow. I just feel like they think i'm nuts. I know its just a tractor but you wont find a L series with a loader like this. The problem is obvious when you fully extend the loader. The right lift cylinder extends 3/8 to 1/2 after the right is fully extended.

jlbota · Sep 8, 2006

I don't remember now...but did you replace both sides? I truly think mine was a combination of the uprights and the actual loader frame. They replaced my loader frame first and it helped some and when they replaced the uprights it made all the difference in the world. Keep on them about it to get it corrected.
This was an issue way before it was out of warranty and they should treat it as a warranty item. I was a squeaky wheel for a long time and if mine wouldn't have been corrected I was first going to ask for an entire new loader and valve and next was a new B3030 or my money back. The way I see it is they sell a new product it should be free of defects and if it is defective they should be given a reasonable amount of time to fix it and if they can't fix it give me a new one or my money back! Money doesn't come cheap and your only asking for what you paid for.
Yours seems a bit different then mine because after the initial crooked lift(left side up first) they seemed to meet at the top at the same time.
Good luck brother I feel your pain....They take your money so easy but its a rough job getting them to get things corrected.

machmeter62 · Sep 8, 2006

Have you tried reversing the hoses at the actuator handle to see if the left side still lifts first? It maybe just a priority thing. Any kinks in any of the lines? I understand your frustrations; I like things to work correctly also, and have been known to lose my patients, after exhausting all efforts! Good luck!

machmeter62 · Sep 8, 2006

Just another after thought on your loader problem. You might want to check it for binding? Since you have a "wobble stick" to actuate the loader, just hang a weight on it to depressurize the system wth the engine off!! By centering the loader bucket on a floor jack absolutely centered with some type of pivot, and a carpenter level setting in the bucket, start raising the floor jack to see if there is any binding by checking the level bubble. Unless the loader was damaged in shipping; you should be able to find the problem, if it is the result of a bind. Also, the problem could be higher; once again with the engine running you can carefully check the loader at various heights, with the carpenter level still inserted to see where the problem starts. I haven't followed any of these threads, and these thought may have already been applied? If you find the problem, demo it to a Kubota Rep, and they should make good, since the problem was never solved. They are great tractors. I still have my first one (L295DT), and the only time it's had a wrench on it, was for fluid changes, as it approaches it's 30th birthday!

Minicup28 · Sep 8, 2006

As I remember you did a lot of measuring of the frame and pivot points, checking for a faulty arm. Another thing to consider is that the two cylinders are not identical. There may be a difference in the seals or the stopping point at either end of travel. Start with both cylinders retracted and measure between the two pivot pins. Inch the cylinders forward a few inches at a time. Checking the distance after each travel. A difference during the travel indicates a difference in friction or weight resistance. If one cylinder travels farther than the other after one is bottomed out it would rack the frame.

FishAlaska · Sep 8, 2006

I know the problem on the BX24 is the FEL boom uprights have no cross support to each other and are not tied to the frame. The booms only crossover and connect to each other in front of the grill. If you look at some of the larger models you will see the uprights tied into the front frame and a crossover above the hood. I assume this is so that the FEL can be removed but it makes it very weak.

What this does is cause twist in the booms. If you put a heavy load in the bucket you can see the uprights move and twist.

bigjohnkub · Sep 8, 2006

As a dealer , I agree with tool guy. Yor area service rep is either bill or wayne, tell them I said to fix it. Due to your post, We have checked every one we installed and fount one that was not level. We loosened loader bolts and put down pressure on bucket and then tightened bolts. Fixed this one, but i think yours is worse.

Barnboy · Sep 8, 2006

My service rep is Stewart. Not sure of the last name. I'm trying some shims on the upper side of the upright. Its helping. I'm ready to get the die grinder out and egg the holes so the left upright sets just a few .000 lower. I called dealer today. He didnt return call or mention any thing on how to proceed.Have the lazer level out too. I'm going to fix this darn thing and Kubota quality can............ Stewart had 2 engineers out here more than 6 months ago. How much longer should a guy wait.Like i said im fix'n to repair it myself.