Self Leveling Mod for Compact?

[Gem99ultra]

I see that Branson has come out with a Self Leveling kit for their compact and utility tractors. That's a feature that I've always wanted/needed for my L3400. Anyone heard of Kubota coming out with a kit, either hydraulic or mechanical, for their smaller tractors?

 

[TMGT]

Looks like the updated B2601 will have it as an option. I imagine you will start seeing it offered on more models.

 

[George2615]

One of our members here, (LS XR4040 owner), converted his loader to self leveling but he was able to machine his own parts.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...77193-lsxr4040-cab-tractor-modifications.html

 

[Gem99ultra]

Wow! My hat's off to Retchr, the poster in the link above. Without a doubt, his skill level is far beyond mine.

I'd like to have either a pre-made kit that with my basic auto mechanic skills, I could install, or learn about a forthcoming mod that dealers can/will install. I'm quite sure that if Branson can and will do it for their compacts, a brilliant company like Kubota could as well.

Cheap and/or inexpensive will NOT be a part of their description. But the word 'useful' should be their headline. ...Handy as a shirt pocket!

 

[ptsg]

If you are into fabricating/slightly engineering, you could retrofit your loader with this style. It's been used for years over here. Basically you have two additional cylinders mounted above the lift cylinders that are tied into the curl/dump circuit. Whenever you lift the loader, these small cylinders will work as slave cylinders and keep the bucket level.

Now the tricky parts is to figure all the volumes and pivot points to make sure the bucket stays leveled on the full lift range of the loader.



What is that option you're talking about on Branson? Do you have a link for any info on this? Over here, Branson are sold with an aftermarket self-leveling loader while in the US, they are sold with non self leveling loaders. I know they have been working on something about self leveling loaders tho.

 

[davedj1]

My buddy has a 55HP Kioti and there aren't any extra cylinders, his is all done with linkage. I'm guessing the valve will have to be specific as well as the tilt cylinders will have to have a place for fluid to go as it remains level. He would like for me to fab up the same linkage for his new 50 HP Kioti but I don't think it's that simple.

 

[davedj1]

My buddy has a 55HP Kioti and there aren't any extra cylinders, his is all done with linkage. I'm guessing the valve will have to be specific as well as the tilt cylinders will have to have a place for fluid to go as it remains level. He would like for me to fab up the same linkage for his new 50 HP Kioti but I don't think it's that simple.
212 Kioti Dk55 Tractor W/ Self Leveling Loader

Edit: After looking at the pics in the link above it may actually be that simple
Edit again: KIOTI VERY LARGE Compact Tractor DK551 4WD Hydro Shuttle 55HP & Front Loader - PS99,995. | PicClick UK
This has some clearer pictures

 

[ptsg]

These are aftermarket loader. For some reason, we don't get original loaders for any brand of tractor for that matter. So who wants a loader on their tractor, just get an aftermarket one, which are actually very well built.

The loader valve is just a regular one, with float and joystick. I think they add a dual cross line relief valve on the dump circuit.

 

[davedj1]

These are aftermarket loader. For some reason, we don't get original loaders for any brand of tractor for that matter. So who wants a loader on their tractor, just get an aftermarket one, which are actually very well built.

The loader valve is just a regular one, with float and joystick. I think they add a dual cross line relief valve on the dump circuit.

I didn't realize you are in Portugal, funny how things are different around the world. Any idea why you can't get factory loaders?

 

[ptsg]

No, I have no idea. It's like this all over the Europe but I've never found a reason for it.

Anyway, 95%, if not more, of the loaders, are self leveling. Either mechanically or hydraulically like the ones I've shown before.

 

[TMGT]

My skid steer has self leveling, great for fork work, not as much so for dirt, nice part about some of the hyd. self leveling systems is you can turn them on and off.

 

[4570Man]

My backhoe has a self leveler and I hate it. Whenever I get around to it I’m going to take it off.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Sorry ptsg, I don't have the link advertising the new self leveling FEL for smaller Branson's. I don't even know what drew me over to that site, but I do recall that it was a mechanical mod, not requiring any hydraulic changes. I believe the larger Kubota's have that feature... other owners of the Big Boy size Kubota's can verify that.

I use my tractor a good deal for moving my man-lift around for tree trimming, building maintenance such as painting, power washing, etc. and carrying around heavy stuff. Just keeping the FEL from dumping requires close attention.

My little L3400 does get some real tractor work like box blade, raking, tilling, etc., so no - I'm not into getting rid of it for something like a SS.

 

[Fallon]

Sorry ptsg, I don't have the link advertising the new self leveling FEL for smaller Branson's. I don't even know what drew me over to that site, but I do recall that it was a mechanical mod, not requiring any hydraulic changes. I believe the larger Kubota's have that feature... other owners of the Big Boy size Kubota's can verify that.

I use my tractor a good deal for moving my man-lift around for tree trimming, building maintenance such as painting, power washing, etc. and carrying around heavy stuff. Just keeping the FEL from dumping requires close attention.

My little L3400 does get some real tractor work like box blade, raking, tilling, etc., so no - I'm not into getting rid of it for something like a SS.

Hydraulic anti-spill is an option on the Grand Ls. I assume it would be an option on the Ms as well I didnt get it on my L4060, but saw it listed as an option.

 

[bunyip]

My sub compact has it but maybe that is just a thing with the 4 in 1, don't know about the other buckets.

 

[mbu]

Kubota makes a self level valve for their M series tractors. The wholegoods number for the L1154 loader is M7999.

When one lifts the boom the bucket will stay in whatever position it was presently set at. It other words, whatever the position the bucket was started at it will remain in that position when the boom rises. It does the same on the way down too which is really handy if one is using pallet forks. This feature can be turned off and on as needed so one can have the best of both worlds. By the way, when it's on, the bucket can still be curled if wanted.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Kubota makes a self level valve for their M series tractors. The wholegoods number for the L1154 loader is M7999.

When one lifts the boom the bucket will stay in whatever position it was presently set at. It other words, whatever the position the bucket was started at it will remain in that position when the boom rises. It does the same on the way down too which is really handy if one is using pallet forks. This feature can be turned off and on as needed so one can have the best of both worlds. By the way, when it's on, the bucket can still be curled if wanted.

That's exactly the option I'd like to have for my little L3400. It almost seems that the L-series is the red-headed stepchild. But maybe - just maybe, Kubota will remember us one of these days. Even so, I love my L3400. I won't be trading it in for a Branson any time soon. (Or ever.)

 

[Fallon]

That's exactly the option I'd like to have for my little L3400. It almost seems that the L-series is the red-headed stepchild. But maybe - just maybe, Kubota will remember us one of these days. Even so, I love my L3400. I won't be trading it in for a Branson any time soon. (Or ever.)

The 00 & 01 machines are economy machines. If you want bells & whistles, you need to get a Grand L (30, 40 & currently 60 series machines). They have this as an option, along with other fancy options.

 

[mbu]

The 00 & 01 machines are economy machines. If you want bells & whistles, you need to get a Grand L (30, 40 & currently 60 series machines). They have this as an option, along with other fancy options.

As far as I know the Grand L series tractors do not have the "leveling valve" like the M tractors have. The Grand L has what Kubota calls "Spill Guard" and that is only a mechanical linkage that controls the FEL's standard valves and only works when the boom is lifted. It is nothing like the leveling valve that is on the M series tractors.

 

[Gem99ultra]

As far as I know the Grand L series tractors do not have the "leveling valve" like the M tractors have. The Grand L has what Kubota calls "Spill Guard" and that is only a mechanical linkage that controls the FEL's standard valves and only works when the boom is lifted. It is nothing like the leveling valve that is on the M series tractors.

I believe you are correct mbu. The spill guard appears to be a simple curved piece that kick a splash back into the bucket. Self leveling feature is a completely different animal.
I checked over the current spec sheets comparing the Grand L and the Standard L-series tractors, and did not see the self leveling feature listed on either. It is a feature available on M-series though.