new to me 2018 bx2380 loose loader control/joystick

[disney]

Good morning all, I just acquired a beautiful 22x hour 2-1/2 year old bx2380, and the loader stick seems to have a ton (about 5 inches) of front to back play. There is very little side to side play, and the control lock (basically a simple barrel lock design) is impossible to use unless I have the cover boot removed and can see where to position the loose joystick before the beveled pin will even think about sliding into the female guide tube. I actually can lift up, or slide the entire control lever front to back, but side to side is tight. The heim joints are tight, and without taking everything apart it seems to me that the level might be missing a bushing where the bolt goes through it(or the hole is greatly enlarged)? The prior owner used the machine almost exclusively for mowing, so I doubt the loader control could have that much wear.

I can add pictures tomorrow, but I am not sure they would do much help, although a video might...

I hope everyone is well, and I would like to thank everyone in advance for their help.

 

[Tinhack]

Even if used as a mower, I suspect the FEL was used at least twice per mow--To raise the bucket off the ground and to return.

Sounds like the anchor heim may have come loose. I would check there first.

This is an example.

 

[BX23S-1]

Good morning all, I just acquired a beautiful 22x hour 2-1/2 year old bx2380, and the loader stick seems to have a ton (about 5 inches) of front to back play. There is very little side to side play, and the control lock (basically a simple barrel lock design) is impossible to use unless I have the cover boot removed and can see where to position the loose joystick before the beveled pin will even think about sliding into the female guide tube. I actually can lift up, or slide the entire control lever front to back, but side to side is tight. The heim joints are tight, and without taking everything apart it seems to me that the level might be missing a bushing where the bolt goes through it(or the hole is greatly enlarged)? The prior owner used the machine almost exclusively for mowing, so I doubt the loader control could have that much wear.

I can add pictures tomorrow, but I am not sure they would do much help, although a video might...

I hope everyone is well, and I would like to thank everyone in advance for their help.

Sounds like the same problem i had with my BX23s. You`re going to have to pull the plastic cover off the fender so that you can get down inside to check where the joystick mounts. Two bolts from underneath at the back side, snaps in at the front side of the cover. As Tinhack said, loose heim joint is what i expect you`ll find. Mine came loose and came unscrewed and made the joystick very sloppy but also bind up when using the up/down mode to raise/lower the bucket. The only way to fix it is to use loctite on the threads, and tighten it back up. Dont bother trying to put a locking jam nut on it, it wont let the joystick work as per designed. Its a design flaw. Kubota should have designed it with a way to lock the heim to the joystick like they did with the other heim that has a bolt AND a nut on it. While the cover is off of the fender, this is a perfect time to clean and lube everything in there, including the joystick locking bar.

 

[BX23S-1]

Look for this heim joint where my finger is pointing. I`m betting you will find and see that yours has backed out and causing the problem.

View attachment 678771

 

[BX23S-1]

Good morning all, I just acquired a beautiful 22x hour 2-1/2 year old bx2380, and the loader stick seems to have a ton (about 5 inches) of front to back play. There is very little side to side play, and the control lock (basically a simple barrel lock design) is impossible to use unless I have the cover boot removed and can see where to position the loose joystick before the beveled pin will even think about sliding into the female guide tube. I actually can lift up, or slide the entire control lever front to back, but side to side is tight. The heim joints are tight, and without taking everything apart it seems to me that the level might be missing a bushing where the bolt goes through it(or the hole is greatly enlarged)? The prior owner used the machine almost exclusively for mowing, so I doubt the loader control could have that much wear.

I can add pictures tomorrow, but I am not sure they would do much help, although a video might...

I hope everyone is well, and I would like to thank everyone in advance for their help.

Still waiting on those pictures. Did you get this problem resolved yet?

 

[disney]

Yes, when I took it apart, the hole for the handle is 16mm or 5/8" and the bolt is only 10mm (3/8")so there was a lot of slop. It really appears as though Kubota never installed the bushing (I found that there should be one per the parts diagram). There is no way It could have just fallen out. Thanks to everyone who responded.

 

[BX23S-1]

Yes, when I took it apart, the hole for the handle is 16mm or 5/8" and the bolt is only 10mm (3/8")so there was a lot of slop. It really appears as though Kubota never installed the bushing (I found that there should be one per the parts diagram). There is no way It could have just fallen out. Thanks to everyone who responded.

GREAT!! Glad to know you got it fixed! Love it when THAT happens, especially if you can fix things yourself!