Leveling a FEL

[liteblue]

Was trying to do some basic leveling of some newly applied topsoil (with my newly purchased tractor) when I noticed that left side of the bucket was about 1.5 inches higher than the right side. I first checked to be sure that tire pressure was even and it was. Then I checked whether of not the FEL was bent, and it was not. The difference is in the tractor (one side is higher than the other). Two issues: 1) Is this common, and 2) Is there a fix? Thanks for any and all comments. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[texasjohn]

Clearly not common... and not right... I think you are saying that when you place the tractor and FEL on a known flat surface that one edge of the FEL bucket is 1.5 inches higher than the other side. My bucket is absolutely flat. You'll figure it out... good start looking at air pressure... I'd bet that if you measure each side of the frame at a common point that should be equally high off the ground and it isn't, then the problem is somehow associated with the tires... tractor frame certainly must be square. Are tires same sizes on both sides??

 

[RoyJackson]

Check the air pressure in all four tires.

 

[Mike_Lipke]

Your FEL could be sprung (bent). Damaged at dealer or in shipping?

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

You say newly purchaced but is it new or used.If it is new and the tire pressures are ok let the dealer figure it out. If it's used measure the the frame hieght if that's ok measure the lift arms,does it have QA . See if the bucket is atached prorerly. Take the bucket off and see if it is sprung. I hope this helps. It's hard to make something level using something that's not.

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Re-torque the FEL frame bolts. I sorta suspect you have a couple of loose frame bolts. The FEL will look lopsided when some are loose. Don't use the loader again untill you check them. I usually put an impact on these.....BobG in VA

 

[JerryG]

Good you got the tire pressure out of the way already. That is always the first thing to check. Look at the tires to see if they are indeed stamped the same size. We have had members that have had the air pressure not even, different tires size side to side and seems like even one that had the same size stamped, but one tire was actually larger than the one on the other side. The next step would be to raise the loader off the ground, measure from different points on the tractor to different points on the loader. Compare these numbers side to side.

 

[liteblue]

As suggested, the tractor is new and therefore under warrantee. I checked the tires carefully - all are same brand, the same (side-to-side) inflation, and the same height to the top-of-rim from the concrete/level floor. The rear of the tractor (behind the seat) is level to the ground. The ROPS is level also. But, the front of the tractor is not (left side is definitely higher than the right side). I even took a level to the frame in front of the front wheels. It shows almost half a bubble off. By the way, I also checked the loader sub-frame bolts and all are tight.

The dealer is stumped, and promised to check into it with the manufacturer. There are no real adjustment points to correct this difference on the tractor or the loader. At this point they(the Dealer) is not in favor of monkeying around with the sub-frame of the loader. Tomorrow I'll take the bucket off, to see if it is sprung . . . but I doubt it.

I'm leaning toward thinking that the frame is either: 1) slightly skewed where it is attached to the transmission housing, or 2) the frame is bent. But this is just so very strange. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Barnboy]

I thought it was just Kubota with this problem. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Sorry to hear about your problem. With your FEL being 1.5" off I would say its in the Uprights or some mounting hardware somewhere. My B3030 has the same problem and we found my left upright was not made correctly ect ect but thats another post. Contact the dealer they should fix it.

 

[gbick]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Check the air pressure in all four tires. )</font>
Differant pressures in the front tires wouldn't effect it due to the pivoting axle. Correct me if I'm wrong.