Strange Kubota FEL control issue

[wjalex4]

Today I noticed a strange problem with my Kubota L3240's loader LA514. I have the control stick on the right side, where I pull back to go up, push forward to go down, and push left/right to swivel the bucket from load to dump. When I push down, I feel it go to a stop point, but then if I push slightly it goes past that point and sticks. This means the FEL goes to the ground. This may seem like a non-issue, but when you are moving stuff it's easy to accidentally push too far and run the loader into the ground. I've had the tractor for about 4 years now and this problem just started. I don't know what to do to fix it - any help would be appreciated.

Thank you -- Walter

 

[rswyan]

You're pushing past the detent and putting the loader into "float".

It's a feature not a bug.

 

[teg]

...then if I push slightly it goes past that point and sticks. This means the FEL goes to the ground....

Walter, this is called Float position. It is used to back drag the heel of the bucket to smooth out an area. Works great especially if you have a load in the bucket to give it more weight.

You also have this if you dump to the right, there is a "fast dump" where the curl feature goes into float mode if you push it to the far right.

 

[J_J]

Are you saying that you have not used the float position for 4 years?

On most Kubota's, the regen/fast dump is in the first part of lever travel, and power dump is at the far right.

If you stay in the far right, the relief valve will activate.

 

[wjalex4]

That is wild. My wife and I bought this tractor about a year after the April, 2011 tornado, to help us get our 7.5 acres and buildings back into some kind of order. Our Ford 9N just could not stand up to the havoc wrought by the F4 that devastated our community.

We both swear this feature was not there until today. We bought the whole Kubota setup brand new. The only thing I can think of is that when my Dad borrowed the tractor this week, he broke something loose (in a good way), and now the float feature is there.

I will take the "feeling dumb" I am now experiencing over having to repair/have repaired this Kubota.

Thanks everyone! :thumbsup:

 

[teg]

I learned about here on TBN, too... I'm sure it's in the manual but who has time to read it By the way, it can get junk in the back side and makes it hard (impossible) to put it in float... 4 bolts and clean it out, you are good to go.

 

[Al Mac]

I didn't know I had float for the first month. A green friend was checking the unit out and said float.
It is great and I use it a lot.

Al

 

[rswyan]

I will take the "feeling dumb" I am now experiencing over having to repair/have repaired this Kubota.

Welcome to the club ...