I appreciate all the replies. This is not a quick attach type of loader; I am not certain what "mounting plates" refers to (my tractor terminology knowledge is poor, my apologies). What drew my attention first is that the part called, in the manual, the "loader side frames" were not aligned. One is tilted corresponding to the cylinder that is extended vs the other. (If I understand the term correctly, loader side frame is the part of the loader sticking toward the operator that you maneuver into the frame of the tractor itself, hope I'm using the right term)
I don't appreciate any other twist or bend in the tubes holding the sides of the tractor together, but I'll get out there with a straightedge on Saturday.
If I can remove the snowblower (weather depending), I'll try to remount the loader and see if I can get more information, and maybe try the procedure from that video.
I'll post back when I learn more.
Ken in North Granby CT
I don't appreciate any other twist or bend in the tubes holding the sides of the tractor together, but I'll get out there with a straightedge on Saturday.
If I can remove the snowblower (weather depending), I'll try to remount the loader and see if I can get more information, and maybe try the procedure from that video.
I'll post back when I learn more.
Ken in North Granby CT
TMGT
Elite Member
The mount that the loader connect to the tractor (the part that stays on the tractor) what I was referring to.
Those mounts bolt to the frame of the tractor and have some adjustment to them, you are supposed to check the torque for the loader mounts (where it attaches to the tractor frame) periodically as they can loosen, I've had it happen and had to re-adjust the loader mounts to everything to align again.
Have you used the loader hard lately? Such as using one side of the bucket to try and pry or ram something? It takes a lot to tweak the loader arms or torque tube.
Some pictures of the loader and tractor side mounts might be helpful.
Sent from my SM-S921U using TractorByNet mobile app
Those mounts bolt to the frame of the tractor and have some adjustment to them, you are supposed to check the torque for the loader mounts (where it attaches to the tractor frame) periodically as they can loosen, I've had it happen and had to re-adjust the loader mounts to everything to align again.
Have you used the loader hard lately? Such as using one side of the bucket to try and pry or ram something? It takes a lot to tweak the loader arms or torque tube.
Some pictures of the loader and tractor side mounts might be helpful.
Sent from my SM-S921U using TractorByNet mobile app
dadohead
Platinum Member
My first engineering job out of university was in structures at JD Dubuque (yellow industrial stuff). One of my first assignments was to analyze the torque tube on a wheel loader (the boss made it sound like there was a problem... ha). So I wrote the work orders, had stress coat sprayed on the structure, ran the machine doing various load cycles (showed lots of stress (fractured stress coat) on the torque tube and welds), had strain gages laid in the hot areas, wired it for telemetry, and ran a full out stress test. The torque tube lit up like a Christmas tree!... very high stress. I was excited... "gonna solve this one!" Ha!
It was really just an exercise for me to learn the process of tractor design and testing structures. Boss zeroed in on the torque tube region because he knew it is one of the most active (high stress) parts of the structure. I'll never forget it either. The torque tube's only job is to maintain alignment between the loader booms. Any uneven loading on the bucket is carried by the torque tube. The boom cylinders are pressurized together in parallel.... only the loader structure keeps them lifting evenly. Hope this helps!
It was really just an exercise for me to learn the process of tractor design and testing structures. Boss zeroed in on the torque tube region because he knew it is one of the most active (high stress) parts of the structure. I'll never forget it either. The torque tube's only job is to maintain alignment between the loader booms. Any uneven loading on the bucket is carried by the torque tube. The boom cylinders are pressurized together in parallel.... only the loader structure keeps them lifting evenly. Hope this helps!
jonsstihl
Veteran Member
thats a good point, there is only one hose leaving the valve that acts in the lifting direction. it gets split into two so that both cylinders can help lift the load but it is the loader frame that ensures they lift together. If you cut the tube only the lighter side of the loader would lift and the other side would stay on the ground, assuming the bucket was off and the quick attach frames were not connected
Fallon
Super Member
100% wrong & useless information. Lift cylinders (and most curl cylinders) are teed together on the tops of the cylinders & the bottom, they self equalize every time they move. WTF does a gland nut have to do with anything? He never said the cylinders are leaking.
As others have noted, the loader or frame got tweaked at some point. Many or most buckets don't sit perfectly level after a while as things get tweaked over the years.
4570Man
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If the gland nut threads were stripped the glands would blow out of the end of the cylinder. The loader cylinders have no form of synchronization anyway. You should stick to giving advice on subjects that you have the slightest idea of what you’re talking about.
4570Man
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The cylinders aren’t going to be even if it’s off the tractor. They don’t have any form of synchronization. Go shove on one of the brackets and see what happens.
rScotty
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What he said.... and right now we don't have enough information to figure it out for sure.
But it's an interesting problem and not uncommon. Some photos and measurements will help.
If I had to guess, I'd agree to look first at adjusting the plates on the side of the tractor where the loader uprights are fixed to the tractor. Many tractors have a quick loader disconnet there, and both the disconnect mechanism and the bolts holding those upright mounting plates to the tractor can move or get out of adjustment. In fact, if you loosen the bolts holding those mounting plates, you will be surprised how much the mounts can move.
I'm just repeating the good suggestion made first by TMGT.
But don't loosen the bolts that hold the mounts to the tractor until you have tractor and loader on a smooth surface and a some time to futz with it. It may take a few times to get it right.
Everyone worries about an uneven load possibly bending loader parts like the boom arms, torsional support tube, or the bucket pivots. Those are hard to bend, but always a possibility. The easiest way to check for bent arms, tubes, and pivots is to disconnect the bucket and the bucket quick change assembly - the SSQA - if yours has one.
When the bucket parts are not involved, all the pivot bushings on one arm should line up with the pivot bushings on the other arm.
Best way I know to test for a bend is to take a properly piece of really straight pipe as long as the loader is wide, and see if it will slide through the bushings on one arm and line up with the same bushing on the other arm. It should...
BTW, the problem is probably NOT in the cylinders themselves, although you can always swap them from side to side if you just have to prove that to yourself.
Luck,
rScotty
