Loader Installation Lessons

ritcheyvs · May 12, 2018

I put my loader back on today (for the first time ever) after fixing the IP and performing 500 hr maintenance. Despite unlevel/curved ground, I found it easy to drive the tractor back into position, just go slow. It was about 40 degrees hotter than when I removed the loader so I had to use a hammer and rag to depressurize the loader hoses; I expected that. My main problem was that I had raised the bearing box too high when I removed the loader so I didn't have enough slack in the hoses to reconnect the lowest hydraulic quick connector. This may not be an issue on flat ground, I don't know. Finally, I disconnected a boom hose to get enough clearance to connect that bottom curl hose and then curled down to lower the bearing box enough to reconnect all hydraulic hoses. I should have anticipated this because I had a hard time disconnecting that bottom hose when I removed the loader. After that it was a simple matter to align the big holes for the latch pins by playing with the joy stick One pin slid in easy but the other required light hammering. I had dreaded this but it was not a bad.

4570Man · May 13, 2018

The first time probably took me 20 minutes to get back on. After that I’m probably closer to 5 minutes. It’s definitely worth while doing for any amount of mowing. It rides better, the visibility is better, and the power is better since you’re moving less weight.

ritcheyvs · May 13, 2018

Well, except for the problem with the quick couplings, I probably needed 5-10 minutes. When I make new hoses for a deverter valve I'll add some slack to avoid this problem.
My DK45 is heavy but has plenty of power, so mowing with or without the loader makes little difference.

drjay9051 · May 18, 2018

FWIW:

I had a heck of a time remounting my loader. I could not get holes to line up.

After much frustration and many suggestions from the forum (thank you) I found the problem to be sand in the bottom of the cradles where the loader arms sit.

I imagine it fell in there when I removed loader.
Anybody having problems always clean out the area where your loader arms sit.

Lesson learned.

ritcheyvs · May 18, 2018

drjay: I read your saga about the time I removed my loader. With the loader off, I pressure-washed the engine to remove most of the crud before opening up the engine for IP repair. While I was doing that, I blasted out the loader cradles so I didn't repeat your drama. Thanks for the lesson.