Practice Removing Your FEL

[blueriver]

Here is the response from the service advisor at Branson ..

"There is a power beyond port built into the loader valve itself. Power comes from the pump to the loader and then the power beyond supplies hydraulic pressure to the three point lift. As with any tractor if you use a grapple bucket or a rear implement that requires hydraulic pressure an auxilary remote valve must be used for implements or a third function valve in the case of a grapple. These are options that can be added, which once installed will work with the power beyond coming from the loader valve. If you have any questions please let me know."

 

[DiezNutz]

Here is the response from the service advisor at Branson ..

"There is a power beyond port built into the loader valve itself. Power comes from the pump to the loader and then the power beyond supplies hydraulic pressure to the three point lift. As with any tractor if you use a grapple bucket or a rear implement that requires hydraulic pressure an auxilary remote valve must be used for implements or a third function valve in the case of a grapple. These are options that can be added, which once installed will work with the power beyond coming from the loader valve. If you have any questions please let me know."

This explanation is consistent with how most Kubotas work, it is an open-center design.

The instructions you listed from your manual sound like the instructions for installing the loader valve, not for removing anything. Are there not instructions for removing the loader arms/bucket?

Bottom line, look at the QDs... are there 4 of them? Are the 4 lines that plug into them running to/from the FEL cylinders?
If so, then yes you can remove your FEL and you do not need to do anything else; the loader valve stays on the tractor.

There is another possibility, which is that the loader valve is attached to the FEL and gets removed with it. In that case you will have 3 connections to the valve that you will need to deal with. Let's cross that bridge when we hopefully don't ever come to it, because as Roy said, that's a crappy design from an ease-of-use standpoint.

I just read where you said you have a cab joystick... which are typically connected to the valve via cables/linkage. That is even more reason why the loader valve would stay with the tractor, and the QDs would be between it and the FEL cylinders. Otherwise, having QDs would be completely pointless.

 

[blueriver]

This explanation is consistent with how most Kubotas work, it is an open-center design.

The instructions you listed from your manual sound like the instructions for installing the loader valve, not for removing anything. Are there not instructions for removing the loader arms/bucket?

Bottom line, look at the QDs... are there 4 of them? Are the 4 lines that plug into them running to/from the FEL cylinders?
If so, then yes you can remove your FEL and you do not need to do anything else; the loader valve stays on the tractor.

There is another possibility, which is that the loader valve is attached to the FEL and gets removed with it. In that case you will have 3 connections to the valve that you will need to deal with. Let's cross that bridge when we hopefully don't ever come to it, because as Roy said, that's a crappy design from an ease-of-use standpoint.

I just read where you said you have a cab joystick... which are typically connected to the valve via cables/linkage. That is even more reason why the loader valve would stay with the tractor, and the QDs would be between it and the FEL cylinders. Otherwise, having QDs would be completely pointless.

Yes those instructions are in the section for removing the loader ... and yes there are 4 QD's and the valve stays with the tractor. And here is a follow up email from Branson ....

"Taking the FEL off will not have an affect on any of the three point or attachmet functions. The only way you will ever have a problem with the power beyond is if the port were to go bad on the loader valve or if you ever remove the valve from the tractor."

So once again thanks to the great information found on this site and the responses from the readers and the emails from Branson ... I now know positivly with out doubt!!

 

[DiezNutz]

:thumbsup: good to go.

 

[Boeing]

OK, just bought a new (used) Kubota L-3010 w/ FEL. I want to remove it (has QDs.) Several questions, I'm with Roy,...slow, methodical. How hard is it to remove/replace the big arssed pins in the arms? It has drop down arms to take the free standing loader. There are 4 hyd lines with caps. The manual says it is IMPORTANT to turn a slotted valve in the hyd block when loader is removed. (Easy enough; if remembered). I shuddered with the guys post that had arms (or something) dropping with loss of hyd pressure and having to go thru "jacking" and I-beam "come-a-long" procedures. Just how big a deal is this....assuming that I'd like to REINSTALL this a few weeks later? Are we talking hammers and possible smashed/cut off fingers here? Dealers lie to sell you things....and anyone who prides themselves with doing this in mere seconds is nuts.....
Thanks for STRAIGHT scoop.

 

[Interlaux]

OK, just bought a new (used) Kubota L-3010 w/ FEL. I want to remove it (has QDs.) Several questions, I'm with Roy,...slow, methodical. ? Dealers lie to sell you things....and anyone who prides themselves with doing this in mere seconds is nuts.....
Thanks for STRAIGHT scoop.

wowzer glad I did not read this before taking off my JD 460 loader - are the KUBs that hard to to remove?? When mowing I'll take it off - mow and put it back on in an evening after work - that's when its hot here - says alot about how easy it is - trust me I'm not real mechanical or even handy.

 

[TripleR]

wowzer glad I did not read this before taking off my JD 460 loader - are the KUBs that hard to to remove?? When mowing I'll take it off - mow and put it back on in an evening after work - that's when its hot here - says alot about how easy it is - trust me I'm not real mechanical or even handy.

I can have the FEL off on our 2660, L5030 or M8540 in well under five minutes; two minutes with a ground crew.

 

[pitt_md]

I think I posted in here before that I had never taken the FEL off of my
MX5000. Since that time I have had it off severl times and it takes less time and effort than hooking up the bush hog.

 

[Chilly807]

Mine takes about 2-3 minutes, that's with me walking around and taking my time. The first time took a while, since I wasn't sure exactly what I was doing.

Sean

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have had and been around tractors all my life. I took my FEL off once just to see how and never again. I just use it too much. I will give up the maneuverability for the counter balance it brings and the extra weight. I can only think of a few times in 1000's of hours of operating tractors where I said I wish I did not have a FEL but can think of millions of times when I said I wish I had a bigger stronger one.

Chris

 

[crazyal]

wowzer glad I did not read this before taking off my JD 460 loader - are the KUBs that hard to to remove?? When mowing I'll take it off - mow and put it back on in an evening after work - that's when its hot here - says alot about how easy it is - trust me I'm not real mechanical or even handy.

I think they are only hard your first time, learning curve thing. I can take them out without getting off the seat.

 

[shane]

I think they are only hard your first time, learning curve thing. I can take them out without getting off the seat.

I can have mine off in less than a minute but the lousy John Deere designers made it to where I have to get out of the seat to disconnect the quick connect hoses.


Life just ain't fair.

 

[von-mil]

When removing my FEL at a leisurely pace, it takes me about 5 minutes. I've removed it about 5 times now and, each time, I worry about breaking the support legs that fold down or, more likely, the little pins that extend out from the legs to hold them in place. Has anyone had any bad experiences with this?

 

[RoyJackson]

When removing my FEL at a leisurely pace, it takes me about 5 minutes. I've removed it about 5 times now...

I've removed the loaders from my tractors several (probably dozens) of times over the last 10 years...takes me 3-5 minutes. But, I don't rush...I get it done when I get it done.

 

[DK35vince]

I treat my loader like any other attachment.
If I'm going to use it I put it on.
If I don't need to use it I take it off.
Putting it on or removing it takes around 3 to 5 minutes.

 

[rpeter]

I started the thread "Dumbest thing you have ever done with your tractor" after screwing up the first time I tried to take my loader off. Turns out the whole problem was trying to do it on an uneven dirt floor.

Guess I would say that my best practice advice would be to make sure you have a level area. Made all the difference for me.:licking:

 

[NuBota]

Most time consuming part for me is cleaning the quick connects when re-attaching - otherwise just a couple of minutes on/off

 

[Johnbro]

I tried once to remove my loader (Great Bend M20 on a Kubota L2250) but I couldn't get the pins out of the arms. There must be some trick I didn't know about (bought used so no manual) so I just left it on for the last 20 years...gotten used to having it on there, use it more than anything else on the tractor.

Unfortunately at our place the only level flat spot is on the driveway or in the garage. neither one will work for storing a loader so I'm not sure where/how I would do it without pouring a small slab like the guy from Down Under suggested.

Might be trading up in a few days so I won't worry about this one now. but on the next tractor would be nice if I COULD actually remove the FEL easily.

 

[irvingj]

Johnbro-- sounds like maybe you just didn't hit the right combination of control moves to relieve the weight on the pins....?

A small slab is a wonderful thing!

 

[Chilly807]

On the LA463 loader, as soon as you lift the tractor off the ground with the bucket the pins are floating. Mine were a little tight at first, but it's worn in enough now that they slip out with two fingers.

Sean