Loader 5/8" higher on one side. Is this ok?

[bowhunter3030]

After several attempts to get my loader on my B3030 level, is 5/8" good enough?

 

[RoyJackson]

After several attempts to get my loader on my B3030 level, is 5/8" good enough?

Check your tire pressure in all 4 corners!

If the pressure is equal on both sides and in spec...

Why isn't the loader level? And, are you measuring from a surface that is flat enough to make your measurement accurate?

Is it a new loader and/or tractor? If so, that's a dealer question.

Are you doing the initial installation of this loader?

Otherwise, as long as there is no binding and it moves freely...and removes and installs with no problems, it's probably safe to use. But this isn't optimal by far.
So, if you must use it, go ahead..but don't give up on trying to fix it.

Which brings me to a question...how much side to side variation is allowable? Due to production tolerances (and stack ups), my guess would be 1/8th inch. Anyone have any factual response to that question?

 

[_RaT_]

Check your tire pressure in all 4 corners!

If the pressure is equal on both sides and in spec...

Why isn't the loader level? And, are you measuring from a surface that is flat enough to make your measurement accurate?

Is it a new loader and/or tractor? If so, that's a dealer question.

Are you doing the initial installation of this loader?

Otherwise, as long as there is no binding and it moves freely...and removes and installs with no problems, it's probably safe to use. But this isn't optimal by far.
So, if you must use it, go ahead..but don't give up on trying to fix it.

Which brings me to a question...how much side to side variation is allowable? Due to production tolerances (and stack ups), my guess would be 1/8th inch. Anyone have any factual response to that question?

The problem is, if you make 1/8th inch the "off the shelf" tolerance, I think most loaders from any manufactuer will fail the test. Once the loader starts use, that number will indeed change as unbalanced loads stress and wear connection points quicker, especially on removeable loaders. If the loader varies in height from side to side because of a bent loader, that is a problem and one that typically is brought on by the user. For most of us using the loader for all but the most detailed work, even 5/8" will not alter the loaders ability. Would I rather it be level? Sure, but the loaders on compacts are not nearly as robust as the industrials. The likelyhood of them having or developing a 5/8" difference is not that unusual, not in my experience.

 

[bowhunter3030]

Check your tire pressure in all 4 corners!

If the pressure is equal on both sides and in spec...

Why isn't the loader level? And, are you measuring from a surface that is flat enough to make your measurement accurate?

Is it a new loader and/or tractor? If so, that's a dealer question.

Are you doing the initial installation of this loader?

Otherwise, as long as there is no binding and it moves freely...and removes and installs with no problems, it's probably safe to use. But this isn't optimal by far.
So, if you must use it, go ahead..but don't give up on trying to fix it.

Which brings me to a question...how much side to side variation is allowable? Due to production tolerances (and stack ups), my guess would be 1/8th inch. Anyone have any factual response to that question?

The B3030 had this problem on some of the first loaders. Mine was 1-1/2" out at first. Tire pressure perfect. Dealer got it to 5/8". I can have the factory rep. come out but am I being to picky over 5/8"?

 

[RoyJackson]

The problem is, if you make 1/8th inch the "off the shelf" tolerance, I think most loaders from any manufactuer will fail the test.

For most of us using the loader for all but the most detailed work, even 5/8" will not alter the loaders ability. Would I rather it be level? Sure, but the loaders on compacts are not nearly as robust as the industrials. The likelyhood of them having or developing a 5/8" difference is not that unusual, not in my experience.

I threw out the tolerance of 1/8th's based upon commonly used welding tolerances of 1/16th.
That allows quite a potential for a tolerance stack...more then an eighth, I'm sure.

The question was "Loader 5/8" higher on one side. Is this ok?" This really needs to be answered by the manufacturer's Engineering Dept since all we can do is guess.
It's pretty apparent the dealer doesn't know either, based upon bowhunter3030's last post.

bowhunter3030, I'd be very interested in what the Factory Rep has to say...

 

[bowhunter3030]

I threw out the tolerance of 1/8th's based upon commonly used welding tolerances of 1/16th.
That allows quite a potential for a tolerance stack...more then an eighth, I'm sure.

The question was "Loader 5/8" higher on one side. Is this ok?" This really needs to be answered by the manufacturer's Engineering Dept since all we can do is guess.
It's pretty apparent the dealer doesn't know either, based upon bowhunter3030's last post.

bowhunter3030, I'd be very interested in what the Factory Rep has to say...

He is suppossed to call me today.

 

[_RaT_]

I threw out the tolerance of 1/8th's based upon commonly used welding tolerances of 1/16th.
That allows quite a potential for a tolerance stack...more then an eighth, I'm sure.

The question was "Loader 5/8" higher on one side. Is this ok?" This really needs to be answered by the manufacturer's Engineering Dept since all we can do is guess.
It's pretty apparent the dealer doesn't know either, based upon bowhunter3030's last post.

bowhunter3030, I'd be very interested in what the Factory Rep has to say...

I agree Roy and to that extent do not know what the manufactuer would have for tolerance limits. If I was a dealer and had to abide by some tolerance limit, I would make sure each tractor was in that tolerance before it left the shop and call it good. Once a homeowner gets a hold of the tractor, all bets are off. The abuse can come without you even knowing it. My neighbors little JD 790 has a loader that is no where near level anymore. I don't really know how he did it, it barely has much more then a 5 cu ft bucket and very small lift cylinders. Maybe he crashed it into a tree while mowing one day, that might explain it.

 

[DiezNutz]

Maybe he crashed it into a tree while mowing one day, that might explain it.

Then he deserved it for mowing the FEL on.

Anyway... mine isn't that level either (always been that way). It was built after the fiasco with the uprights, so I'm pretty sure that isn't it. One of these days I'm just going to pop all the pins out and put it back together on my (level) garage floor.

 

[Barnboy]

Bowhunter I remember when we both had this problem. I waited a whole year and had 2 Kubota engineers and rep out to look at the loader and they just scratched their heads. We replaced both uprights and other stuff. Well i was getting the feeling they washed thier hands of it so i fixed it my self. The problem lies in the uprights due to a fixturing problem during maufacturing or something. I ended up using a die grinder to egg the mounting hole on the high side to get the thing to level out. Now i didnt have to remove much. If you look at the holes they are stamped not machined (drilled) so i think thats alot of the problem. I mainly just cleaned them up. Any questions PM me.

 

[vic_salve]

Are we talking about 5/8" with the bucket setting on the ground, or is this the difference between one side and the other with the bucket off the ground? I'm guessing it is off the ground, but I needed to make sure. I noticed mine was off a bit while lifted, but haven't measured it yet.

vic

 

[RoyJackson]

My neighbors little JD 790 has a loader that is no where near level anymore. I don't really know how he did it, it barely has much more then a 5 cu ft bucket and very small lift cylinders. Maybe he crashed it into a tree while mowing one day, that might explain it.

Probably lifting on the corner of the bucket and sprung the frame.

I can say I've ever measured mine...looks fairly level, so I reckon there isn't any problem.

 

[_RaT_]

Probably lifting on the corner of the bucket and sprung the frame.

I can say I've ever measured mine...looks fairly level, so I reckon there isn't any problem.

Yep, I lower my bucket every now and then on a flat surface and see which side hits first. Frankly, I have yet for it to be a big deal.

 

[bowhunter3030]

Rep said 5/8" of an inch is not out of line. He said the tires can be 3/8" of the problem plus the arms variable. I measured from the bottom of the loader arms, not the bucket one side barely resting on the ground. He also told me that the quick disconnect might add to the 5/8" out.

 

[vic4news]

I have a B3030 I bought this year and my bucket isn't quite level either. Just
about 5/8" out too. It kind of bothered me when I first got it, but I don't even
notice it any more. When I'm doing work, the ground is never level anyway.

Vic

 

[RoyJackson]

Rep said 5/8" of an inch is not out of line. He said the tires can be 3/8" of the problem plus the arms variable. I measured from the bottom of the loader arms, not the bucket one side barely resting on the ground. He also told me that the quick disconnect might add to the 5/8" out.

Thanks for the response, Bowhunter3030!

 

[sunnyside360]

Then he deserved it for mowing the FEL on.

Anyway... mine isn't that level either (always been that way). It was built after the fiasco with the uprights, so I'm pretty sure that isn't it. One of these days I'm just going to pop all the pins out and put it back together on my (level) garage floor.

Excellent idea..... I was going to post this but you beat me to it. I've done this on a couple of Kubota loaders with success as I knew at the time nothing was abused/bent.

 

[tensaw12]

Is there a possibility that the loader is LOWER on one side? Just a thought.
Ray

 

[DiezNutz]

I've done this on a couple of Kubota loaders with success as I knew at the time nothing was abused/bent.

Thanks, glad to hear it. Reinforces my optimism that it will do the trick.

 

[easygo]

Thanks for posting the question. I bought a brand new loader with my used tractor and the loader always has been off level a little. I have not done any heavy work with it yet so I know I didn't bend it. It bothered me a little until I read these posts. It will certainly not make a difference in my precision of ground leveling, I was worried about the machine. I will sleep better tonight. really!

 

[art]

The manufacturers shoot for 3/4" if your wondering how you might get one at 5/8". If it is hard to get the pins out to dismount the loader then you can look at the holes and see that chances are they are hitting on the heavier reinforcement pieces that are welded on the inside. To hit them with a die grinder can make the mounting and dismounting easy!