Self Leveling Valve for Kubota LA Loaders

[bdhsfz6]

This topic has been discussed here many times in the past but my search found nothing since 2010.

When I bought my L6060 this spring, I noticed there was a $600 FEL option for a "hydraulic spill guard". To me, a spill guard is a mechanical device mounted to the bucket to keep material from falling on the tractor hood. The dealer told me this option is really a hydraulic bucket self leveler. Maybe I missed something but this is the first time I've seen the self leveling feature offered on compact tractor LA series loaders. In the past, it was only available on M series tractor FELs.

When I ordered the L6060, I didn't see a need for the spill guard feature so I passed on it to save the $600. Now, I'm doing a lot of pallet fork work and wish I'd bought it. Does anyone here have any experience with the self leveler on an XX60 series Kubota and LA1055 FEL? If so, are the hydraulics built into the FEL valve itself or is it a separate unit? Can the feature be turned off and does it alter the performance of the FEL?

I suspect replacing the entire FEL valve would be quite expensive but an OEM auxiliary unit, if available, might be more reasonable. There are generic valves out there such as this Eaton model but nothing specific to LA loaders that I've found.

Self Leveling Valves

Has anyone modified their Kubota FEL to add the self leveling feature?

 

[LD1]

Looking at messicks parts diagrams, it looks like a $1200 valve similar to that Eaton.....an a mechanical linkage to actuate it. Probably another $300 worth of stuff. Plus all the hoses and plumbing.

Surprised it was only a $600 option.

Can't help on its operation though. Don't know if it can be turned off or not. But one could always disconnect the linkage that operates it.

My old Ford backhoe has a mechanical self leveling loader. I have never wished for a way to override it.

 

[Frank Castle]

I recently purchased a Kubota B2650 and opted for the spill guard, on the LA534, have to say, it's an awesome feature. I haven't looked If it can be disabled, but the linkage could be disconnected for sure, but in the 10 hours of grapple and fork work I've done, I hadn't needed it disabled.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Looking at messicks parts diagrams, it looks like a $1200 valve similar to that Eaton.....an a mechanical linkage to actuate it. Probably another $300 worth of stuff. Plus all the hoses and plumbing.

Surprised it was only a $600 option.

Can't help on its operation though. Don't know if it can be turned off or not. But one could always disconnect the linkage that operates it.

My old Ford backhoe has a mechanical self leveling loader. I have never wished for a way to override it.

I agree on the relatively cheap $600 option.

This 2010 thread from rjkobbeman, who has this feature on his M8540, offers a lot of useful information. I was hoping to get a comparison between the leveler on the M8540 and an LA1055. Aparently, the 8540 leveler is all hydraulic and has no linkage.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ng/176303-kubota-fel-self-leveling-valve.html

 

[mopardude318]

I THOUGHT that the self leveling loader was also hydraulic on the M7060, no mechanical linkage...I was wanting to switch over. -A feature that I wish I included...

 

[Peter 315]

Hi, Its on the l47tlb there is a lever to turn it off and on

 

[MutzFarm]

My M62 has the self leveling loader. Just hit a lever by the loader joystick and you are good to go. I like it when loading and unloading things out of or into trucks or on and off trailers. Ive been with out before, but it does make life a tad easier. If you can jam the joystick in the corner and get it to stay level as you raise and lower it you will be fine with out, but by all means if you want it and use the machine for work then it sounds like you need a tax deduction.

 

[MRCONCDID]

Its on my 2007 L48 but the previous owner removed it. the link rod from the loader is missing, I cant tell if it functions any different with out it.
I would love some pictures of how it suppose to look. I have read disconcerting it makes the loader act funny, I can not tell a difference. my loader acts regular.
If I push on what is left of the mechanical linkage, the loader control moves, if I lift the loader and push on the same linkage the bucket tries to self level. Seems like it is a mechanical valve in the spool block no other hoses needed.

MrC.

 

[moship]

bdhsfz6,

The option is $599 and can be purchased through wholegoods under order code L2271.

Here's the detail from the Wholegoods listing...

Hydraulic Spill Guard for LA1055 Loader
L2271 Hydraulic Spill Guard, anti-spill feature for buckets 38lbs $599.00

Perhaps if you search on L2271 you can find a parts breakdown or instruction sheet.

For those that might be interest but have the LA805 loader the Order code is L2261 and is the same price.

Hope this helps.

Added in Edit:

Found this at Kubota's Illustrated Parts Diagram.



Keep in mind the wholegoods item number L2271 should contain all the parts to make complete on your tractor including installation instructions.

 

[npalen]

I experimented with self-leveling back in about 1975 using a flow divider valve in conjunction with the regular loader valve. It seemed to work fairly well at the time but there wasn't much interest in it. Some concepts just take time to come into vogue, I guess.