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.

Barnboy · Sep 8, 2006

Checked the pins where the loader rest's inside the uprights with laszer level. Both check out ok. Now I'm stumped. Sure wish dealer called back.I cant understand why the loader lifts the right side first if bot pins are on the same plane. Dealer did swap the lift cyclinders may months ago! Nothing changed.

lawn_king · Sep 9, 2006

Just a thought here barnboy, as i own a 3030 and feel for you people with the loader situation. Have you taken your machine to the dealer, removed your fel & a 403 from a 3030 on the lot And mounted the new fel on your machine? This could rule out a fel problem & lead you back to an upright or frame issue. Hang in there & keep us up to date. Scott

MessickFarmEqu · Sep 9, 2006

shims are a good idea to work out your last adjustment. This is the recomended fix from New Holland for all crooked loaders.

Barnboy · Sep 9, 2006

Ok I fixed the problem myself. As i always figured the left (sitting on tractor) upright is to high. I shimmed the top with good results. I dont like the idea of shims so I reamed the holes just a little with a bur bit. Had to take the upright off several times. I didnt want to remove to much. I did have to leave a small shim on the right upright on the lower side. Now when I remove the loader both pins will pull out freely unlike before. Bucket is very very close to perfect. I could remove just a hair more but I'll leave it for now.I have several hours on this. Wish Kubota would have steped up to do something.Maybe they'll give me a free alternator upgrade. HaHa

bugstruck · Sep 10, 2006

Another option is to put a few hours on it if it's real close. Mine was out about 1/2" (new) when I sat the bucket down. Over the course of 50 hours it somehow straightened itself out. Your symptoms are different but it could drift a little either way of correct over time. Odds are it will move towards level though with it being a physical adjustment. I'd probably go 15 - 20 hours and then tweak it if nothing has changed.

danbuf · Sep 12, 2006

Barnboy,
This may be a bit late for you as you have fixed yours.

I have same issue with crooked loader.. ~3/4" out.. Same side, left as you sit on tractor.
I spoke with dealer, and he mentioned that they had some tires that were quite a bit different in diameter, one he said was 1.5" in diameter different than the other. (rear, didnt say which type)
Also, he said that they will come out and loosen all loader bracket bolts, and apply down pressure on loader then tighten with pressure on loader.
I will try this, but dont think this will resolve.
On quick tests I did, the front tires were exactly same height.. havent done rears yet.. Need to setup for that.. And I noticed that right loader support was almost 3/16 lower that left.. Which I think is issue.. As someone mentioned before.. Dealer will check with Kubota.. I'll keep you posted..

Dan

MessickFarmEqu · Sep 12, 2006

bugstruck said:
Another option is to put a few hours on it if it's real close. Mine was out about 1/2" (new) when I sat the bucket down. Over the course of 50 hours it somehow straightened itself out. Your symptoms are different but it could drift a little either way of correct over time. Odds are it will move towards level though with it being a physical adjustment. I'd probably go 15 - 20 hours and then tweak it if nothing has changed.

Thats the best advice I've read in this entire thread! Things with loaders will change, as paint wears off, things settle in, cylinders break in, etc,etc. "Level" is going to be changing. I'd wait a good 50+ hours before even looking at messing with this.

Barnboy · Sep 12, 2006

Dealer called me today. He was glad I fixed the loader. He really did all he could do it was more waiting on Kubota. Just wanted to let you B3030 owners know that Im very familiar with that darn loader so if any of you have problems like I did I'll try to help you out.