No Float on Kub 4 Way Loader Valve

[Bucky4]

The 4-way valve float position is not working on my LA723 loader. (Kub Grand L3130)

Although I don't use it that often, I'd still like to repair it. Does the valve need replaced/rebuilt or could it be something else? What's a ballpark $ figure for a new valve or a rebuild?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[johnk]

I had the same problem with mine while under warranty. It had water in the valve. They changed a part in the loader valve and it works like new. It was a 2 minute fix at the dealer........

 

[Bucky4]

Hey John, thanks for the reply. I believe mine may have the same problem as the valve froze when the temps dropped this past winter. (i.e., could not be moved until warmed up)

Do you (or anyone else) know what they replaced in the valve or what the dealer did to it? Mine is not under warranty so I gotta do it myself.

 

[art]

Your dealers parts dept should be ableto give you a copy of the parts break down. I'd recommend that you have it when you take the cap off as the balls and the spring might be laying in it. We fill the caps with grease before installation.

 

[Ductape]

Just drill a very small hole in the aluminum cover that retains the spring...... it will allow the moisture to drain and you can also use the hole to pray lube up in there.

 

[Bucky4]

Your dealers parts dept should be ableto give you a copy of the parts break down. I'd recommend that you have it when you take the cap off as the balls and the spring might be laying in it. We fill the caps with grease before installation.

OK, I take the cover off and now what do I do? I'm going to assume that you mean the balls and spring are supposed be someplace else besides inside the cap. Is there something inside the valve that needs replaced?

What is the purpose of the grease in the cap?

Still !!!

 

[Bucky4]

Just drill a very small hole in the aluminum cover that retains the spring...... it will allow the moisture to drain and you can also use the hole to pray lube up in there.

This is not the fix but just a slight design change for preventive maintenance after the valve has been repaired, right?

 

[johnk]

Hey John, thanks for the reply. I believe mine may have the same problem as the valve froze when the temps dropped this past winter. (i.e., could not be moved until warmed up)

Do you (or anyone else) know what they replaced in the valve or what the dealer did to it? Mine is not under warranty so I gotta do it myself.

When I took it to the dealer under warranty they replaced the Chrome looking unit of the valve body. It was actually grey { the original but was replaced with the new one. As you can see there is a small diameter hole in the bottom of the Nut. When they unscrewed the original water came out of the body. Replaced with no questions asked. 1 minute fix. unscrew yours and i'm sure water will come out of it. Sorry for the delay but had no pics of the replaced part. Hope this helps........This is the underside of the joystick control looking at it from the front.......

 

[Bucky4]

JK,

Thanks so much for the information and the pics! You da man!!

Now I understand what Ductape was saying about drilling a small hole.

Still don't understand the reason Art says to fill the cap with grease. Is this a "fix" instead of drilling the hole?


-jim

 

[Travelover]

JK,

Still don't understand the reason Art says to fill the cap with grease. Is this a "fix" instead of drilling the hole?
-jim

I think the grease just holds everything together while it is assembled. Little check balls and springs have a habit of running away and hiding .

 

[texbaylea]

I found I had the same problem last week but did not have time to tackle it then. Thanks for the info, saves me a search.

Vernon

 

[Engine66]

Well then...I must have gotten screwed when my L3830 loader valve had the same problem and my dealer told me to drill holes...the problem continued and they went 50/50 with me...cost me about $400 to have the 2 valves replaced. I guess I am either naive, stupid or both. Now I see this post and Johnks pics and I'm pissed...My L3830 was doing this the first year while under full warranty...dealer/Kubota did not want to warranty it because once it's warmed up, it worked fine. Well, trying to get that loader valve warmed up in the middle of winter in Vermont was just so much fun! Especially when the loader goes up but not down, bucket curls, but won't dump. Now try to clear some snow that way so I can get the family out of the woods. Yippee.

That frozen loader valve and the dealer's/Kubota's response was one of the reasons I went with JD. Now I wonder if Kubota warrantied the fix, but I was charged anyway. Mmmm...

(I'm not Kubota bashing...just a little pissed.)

 

[johnk]

I would of at least asked to talk to a Kubota rep because hopefully your complaint was documented. This is a fairly common problem and they changed mine no questions asked... Good luck with the Deere. Great machine also.

 

[jmc]

Wish I had seen this thread before ordering the replacement part shown in Johnk's picture. Mine's on an L4330. It was giving me problems before it got cold and then this winter it was even worse. The warm weather problem probably stemmed from corrosion of the spring, spring end caps and central pin. The tablespoon or so of water in there was dark grey. Anyway, drilling a hole and spraying some penetrating oil in there probably would have fixed it but since I already had the replacement, I went ahead and used it. It was around $35.

BTW, I ordered the part from Messick's and their phone support was excellent. I'll use them again.

John

 

[johnk]

Glad to hear you got it floating once again. Tractor season is here and float is a very handy option to use when needed ........