LS G30-38 frame bending

[Caveman3250]

Have a brand new 30-38 w/factory front bucket, or dealer installed, and after using it to move and dig some small tree stumps I am having issues. Seems the reinforced parts for attaching bucket stop at point just behind front axel mounting crossmember. From that point forward the two frame rails have bent upward causing the fan to hit shroud and break a couple of blades off & part of shroud. The Hood latch also is out of line now. I didn't think I lifted too much weight but it must have been from the force of bucket lifting & pulling some roots up. The two short frame members don't seem beefy to me & was wondering if there is a factory reinforced retrofit out there. I may have to fab one myself but would rather get one already made... Any of you have similar experiences or ideas on how to straighten? Thanks

 

[rwork]

Bent the frame?? I can't understand how you could bend the front of the frame from using the loader. Your loader bracket is at about the mid point of the tractor.
Any pictures of this?

 

[Caveman3250]

I have some pictures I will upload. Basically, the weight of tractor is supported in front by axle that is mounted to the front frame rails which protrude like 2 bladed fork from the engine going towards front. The twin fork has brushguard welded to it and a couple of cross members. The rest of the tractor weight is supported by back wheels whose rigid axle is part of tractor, engine, transmission assembly like most tractors. The front bucket is attached at the point where the bend begins and then in more spots rearward. However when the weight of tractor is increased by weight of bucket and whatever is in it, the front fork type frame pieces bend upwards thus messing things up!

The photo is taken from right front side even with the frame rail....bent maybe an inch or so but enough to screw up the fan/shroud and the hood latch. Plus it flexes when going over terrain with a small load....

Caveman

 

[MarkV]

Is it under warranty? That seems like a pretty serious problem to me.

MarkV

 

[Caveman3250]

It's supposed to be, not sure what they will say so I will contact them. As you can see, the bolts of the bucket bracket had backed out some as well, turns out I found many more bolts not torqued down on the bucket brackets, the dealer installed it so I guess they just missed a few....I hate taking tractor back to dealer b/c of the trouble of loading etc but will have to I guess. That is why I need to ask other if they had similar problems before I went back. Just in case some sort of pattern was developing....

 

[Gator6x4]

My vote is the loose bolts caused the frame to flex, which in turn caused the problem. I don't think it is a design problem. It is back to the dealer time for some serious warranty repairs.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Looks like you have a few bolt holes with no bolts in them, possibly loosened and fell out. Many posts here have warned FEL owners to check the attachment bolts on new tractors after 10 hours of operation. Digging stumps with FEL (usually using corner of bucket) will wreck the FEL and anything else attached. Usually folks just warp the FEL lift arms and bend the bucket, but I suppose if the bolts come out or loosen up, then the whole frame of the tractor could be bent. Hopefully your dealer will make it right for you without a hassle but you do bear responsibility for keeping the bolts tight. Speaking of bolts, check the wheel lug bolts as they have to be re-tightened after using for a while (most recommend 50 hour but check for loose bolts prior to that)
I had a Vietnam rebuild on a Yanmar with a V3 loader that I had to tighten the bolts on the mounting frame everytime I used it and sometimes twice a day as they just wouldnt stay tight and would vibrate completly out. Lost a few of them also and had to keep a supply of metric stud bolts for it.

 

[Caveman3250]

Empty bolt holes are for other accessories that didn't come on tractor, none missing. I have 20 hrs on tractor so far. I have tightened several bolts/fittings since taking delivery. In fact, on test drive had hydraulic leak where dealer didn't tighten a fitting & dealer Guy wasn't too happy w/his mechanics. I have tightened several other bolts as well. As for digging, I have countless hours of operating machinery of many types to dig & can assure u I don't think the tractor is a sub for a dozer, backhoe, etc...

 

[Gary Fowler]

I dont know what to tell you then. I have never heard of a FEL bending the tractor frame as the lift arms are usually the weakest link. i guess you have to take it back to the dealer and see what he says.

 

[Caveman3250]

I appreciate the response from you guys. My reason for posting was to find out if others had same problem in order to flush out a bigger problem if it existed. I was able to straighten out the frame yesterday. I am working on a reinforcement for the frame in front that will prevent this from happening again. Might use a turnbuckle set up to adjust if necessary on underside. I will update when I get done.

Caveman

 

[Caveman3250]

Bent the frame?? I can't understand how you could bend the front of the frame from using the loader. Your loader bracket is at about the mid point of the tractor.
Any pictures of this?

Yes it is, the mount for the bucket assembly is mid tractor and has reinforcement bars on bottom that go to the rear. The tractors motor/transmission is the frame from this point back, very strong. Imagine the loader picking up something, the power of the hydraulic's lifting plus weight of tractor and whatever is in the bucket can add up. The weight is then in middle of tractor being transferred to front and rear tires but mostly front since the c/g is forward with the lift. Well on this tractor, from midpoint forward has two flat bar pieces bolted to the engine and extend forward to the brushguard and is the front frame. The front axle is attached to these two frame rails by crossmembers welded to them. The radiator and battery is also mounted on the front frame. So when the loader is lifting, the front "forks" will flex upwards but in my case they flexed or bent too much and broke the fan and shroud and made hood latch not line up. Most tractors I have had in past have very heavy frames, structures the full length of tractor because of the nature of the loads is so varied. Just wanted those with a LG to take notice and be careful or maybe that the manufacture will beef up the front part of frame in future models and possibly offer a mod fore existing ones......
One another topic, where on the Mississippi Gulf do you live? Have been in Ocean Springs/Gulfport area many times and am just curious....

Caveman

 

[MarkV]

Caveman I am glad to see you were able to straighten things, just don't understand why you did not take it back as a warranty issue? Seems like once you start modifying it yourself you run into the problem of the warranty possibly being voided.

MarkV

 

[Guesseral]

Yea I really think I would have taken it back also, even if it were a long way away! The frame shouldn't bend period, is there a possibility that there was suppose to be another piece to the loader frame that didn't get installed. I think the loaders are made by someone else to fit the tractor, or at least mine was.

 

[rwork]

Yes it is, the mount for the bucket assembly is mid tractor and has reinforcement bars on bottom that go to the rear. The tractors motor/transmission is the frame from this point back, very strong. Imagine the loader picking up something, the power of the hydraulic's lifting plus weight of tractor and whatever is in the bucket can add up. The weight is then in middle of tractor being transferred to front and rear tires but mostly front since the c/g is forward with the lift. Well on this tractor, from midpoint forward has two flat bar pieces bolted to the engine and extend forward to the brushguard and is the front frame. The front axle is attached to these two frame rails by crossmembers welded to them. The radiator and battery is also mounted on the front frame. So when the loader is lifting, the front "forks" will flex upwards but in my case they flexed or bent too much and broke the fan and shroud and made hood latch not line up. Most tractors I have had in past have very heavy frames, structures the full length of tractor because of the nature of the loads is so varied. Just wanted those with a LG to take notice and be careful or maybe that the manufacture will beef up the front part of frame in future models and possibly offer a mod fore existing ones......
One another topic, where on the Mississippi Gulf do you live? Have been in Ocean Springs/Gulfport area many times and am just curious....

Caveman

I'm in Gulfport, northernmost part, a few miles north of the interstate.

 

[lilranch2001]

I appreciate the response from you guys. My reason for posting was to find out if others had same problem in order to flush out a bigger problem if it existed. I was able to straighten out the frame yesterday. I am working on a reinforcement for the frame in front that will prevent this from happening again. Might use a turnbuckle set up to adjust if necessary on underside. I will update when I get done.

Caveman

Are you sure some component is not missing that would allow this to happen?
I still cannot see how that frame would bend under the conditions you explained

 

[Caveman3250]

I checked with the drawings on both the Factory approved loader that was installed by dealer and the tractor drawing/specs. There was no reinforcement shown or mentioned in the notes..... I may still take it back to get shroud and fan replaced. I just hate leaving it for weeks at a time while work stacks up around here!

Caveman

 

[Caveman3250]

Wow, long time since this happened! Quick update..... The dealer said they couldn't do anything....it was overworked....guy said it was not a heavy duty tractor....(duh, knew that but a tractor is a tractor!) I would think a tractor wouldn't be able to destroy its self! One would think they would have a relief valve or something to limit the lifting power of the factory accessory.... Anyhow, I was able to straighten the frame, added 2 braces from middle attachment point to front of frame under tractor. It works like a charm and haven't had a issue since then. I even sent pictures to dealer to suggest they include such bracing/reinforcement when they install buckets. Only other problem since then is the clutch burned out while hauling 23 dump truck loads of dirt. I probably overworked it. Tore down and replaced clutch w/out issues and now it's 100% again......

 

[charles todd]

Wow, long time since this happened! Quick update..... The dealer said they couldn't do anything....it was overworked....guy said it was not a heavy duty tractor....(duh, knew that but a tractor is a tractor!) I would think a tractor wouldn't be able to destroy its self! One would think they would have a relief valve or something to limit the lifting power of the factory accessory.... Anyhow, I was able to straighten the frame, added 2 braces from middle attachment point to front of frame under tractor. It works like a charm and haven't had a issue since then. I even sent pictures to dealer to suggest they include such bracing/reinforcement when they install buckets. Only other problem since then is the clutch burned out while hauling 23 dump truck loads of dirt. I probably overworked it. Tore down and replaced clutch w/out issues and now it's 100% again......

Wow. First time reading this thread.

1. I would have taken it to the dealer when I first noticed the issue. It was probably under warranty (1 year on loader, 2 years B2B). They were negligent when they installed the loader.
2. Time had passed, you reinforced it, it works. Nice job. (Pics?)
3. Already burnt a clutch? How many hours did it last? Did you replace it yourself? Do you ride the clutch a lot?

Finally, I find it hard to believe that any tractor, any brand, can really be "overworked" using it within its design parameters. Usually HP and hydraulic force will limit a machines capabilities. Design parameters are usually greater than power available.

CT

 

[Butchswaby]

Have a brand new 30-38 w/factory front bucket, or dealer installed, and after using it to move and dig some small tree stumps I am having issues. Seems the reinforced parts for attaching bucket stop at point just behind front axel mounting crossmember. From that point forward the two frame rails have bent upward causing the fan to hit shroud and break a couple of blades off & part of shroud. The Hood latch also is out of line now. I didn't think I lifted too much weight but it must have been from the force of bucket lifting & pulling some roots up. The two short frame members don't seem beefy to me & was wondering if there is a factory reinforced retrofit out there. I may have to fab one myself but would rather get one already made... Any of you have similar experiences or ideas on how to straighten? Thanks

I have an LS G3033H had just had the same thing happen, frame bent up causing fan to go into the shroud. Dealer said must have picked up to much with loader. when they installed the new frame it is a beefed up frame. So they must have had this problem before.

 

[akranger72]

Wow some quality control addressing on LS's part? Who would think you could bend a frame on these well built or I thought well built tractors? Those loaders are rated to lift what like 1650lbs for the G3033 and 1900lbs for the G3038? Probably a little less lift capacity on both tractors than stated in LS specs also? I better be careful not to overwork my XR4040H and accidently lift something too heavy lol. I will check my frame now and maybe reinforce if possible. I would think that the lift capacity these loaders are rated up to would not even be close to causing issues like this?