Uneven loader arm repair

[Stomper]

What’s the best/easiest way to fix uneven loader arm. I’m assuming that this happened before I built my root bucket when I was trying to dig stumps with my regular bucket. It’s not too bad, about 3/4” lower on the right side, but it really annoys me and would like to fix it if I could. I am assuming that it would be the cross tube near the quick attach that needs adjusting. Loader in question is kubota LA525 on and L2501.

 

[3Lfarms]

The normal fix is to cut that cross tube, even out the loader arms, then weld the tube back together.

 

[dfkrug]

I agree with 3L: cut and weld, even if you have to add some steel.

I repaired numerous rental tractors, and they were often slightly bent. Bends were caused by abusers running into immovable objects where the momentum overwhelmed the strength of the FEL. Sometimes there is adjustability in the mounts, but a carefully-placed cut with added weld is often required.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Double check rear tire pressure first... make sure one side of the tractor isnt lower in the rear, un-even tire pressure will make the loader bucket low on the low tire side.

 

[Tx Jim]

Double check rear tire pressure first... make sure one side of the tractor isnt lower in the rear, un-even tire pressure will make the loader bucket low on the low tire side.

Ditto on checking rear tire air pressure. For 3/4'' difference in loader boom frame height it might be simpler to just alter rear tire pressure to make FEL frames level

 

[SoDark]

Check tire pressure, and could also try lowering the loaded/weighted bucket onto a log/stump etc under low side so that the opposite side drops lower and corrects the offset. Carefully, obviously...

 

[TimberHole]

The best way to check for twist is with your Mark 1 eyeball. Raise the loader and standing beside the tractor from a few feet away sight line the two arms and see if they are parallel. This is a very accurate technique and tire pressure won’t be in play.

 

[pmsmechanic]

You guys are mostly talking about doing this the hard way. Cut and weld???? Why bother? I just work the loader harder (ie lift more weight) on the side that needs to move down a bit and soon everything is equal again.

 

[SoDark]

You guys are mostly talking about doing this the hard way. Cut and weld???? Why bother? I just work the loader harder (ie lift more weight) on the side that needs to move down a bit and soon everything is equal again.

"If it's easy, you're not trying hard enough".

 

[ddbackhoe]

What痴 the best/easiest way to fix uneven loader arm. I知 assuming that this happened before I built my root bucket when I was trying to dig stumps with my regular bucket. It痴 not too bad, about 3/4 lower on the right side, but it really annoys me and would like to fix it if I could. I am assuming that it would be the cross tube near the quick attach that needs adjusting. Loader in question is kubota LA525 on and L2501.

Tire pressure and make sure the quick attach frame did not pop out of place. There was a a whole other thread here filled with worry and complicated ideas. Turns out after all the dread it was a 5 minute fix to put it back where it belonged.

 

[Tx Jim]

The best way to check for twist is with your Mark 1 eyeball. Raise the loader and standing beside the tractor from a few feet away sight line the two arms and see if they are parallel. This is a very accurate technique and tire pressure won’t be in play.

Please explain how rear tire air pressure won't affect loader boom arm level????

 

[ovrszd]

Please explain how rear tire air pressure won't affect loader boom arm level????

Because his method "squares" the FEL frame, regardless of position of tractor.

If the FEL is mounted squarely on the tractor life is good.

 

[Tx Jim]

Because his method "squares" the FEL frame, regardless of position of tractor.

If the FEL is mounted squarely on the tractor life is good.

I guess either I'm not comprehending what you & Timberhole are stating or I can't see the "Forest for the trees". So If I understand correctly 1 rear tire can have 5 psi & other rear tire can have 25 psi & if FEL is mounted squarely the bucket pivot pins will be the same height from ground or concrete slab. If that's what you're stating I'd have to witness this to believe it.

 

[ovrszd]

I guess either I'm not comprehending what you & Timberhole are stating or I can't see the "Forest for the trees". So If I understand correctly 1 rear tire can have 5 psi & other rear tire can have 25 psi & if FEL is mounted squarely the bucket pivot pins will be the same height from ground or concrete slab. If that's what you're stating I'd have to witness this to believe it.

You missed it again.

The discussion is about straightening an FEL frame that is twisted. Has nothing to do with how the tractor is sitting.

Timberhole's method checks the FEL frame for twist. He's sighting across the FEL arms to see if they are parallel. To perform this diagnosis the FEL doesn't even need to be mounted on the tractor. It could be detached and sitting on the ground.

99.9% of the time an unlevel bucket is caused by the FEL arms not being parallel.

If you perform his sight test and the arms are parallel but the bucket still sits lower on one side when mounted on the tractor then tire pressure might have some relevance to compensate for problems elsewhere.

 

[TimberHole]

I guess either I'm not comprehending what you & Timberhole are stating or I can't see the "Forest for the trees". So If I understand correctly 1 rear tire can have 5 psi & other rear tire can have 25 psi & if FEL is mounted squarely the bucket pivot pins will be the same height from ground or concrete slab. If that's what you're stating I'd have to witness this to believe it.

What you are trying to establish is whether the loader is twisted. If you raise the loader a couple of feet it allows you to sight across the top of the two loader arms to see if they are parallel. If it is twisted, they will not be parallel.


Try this. Lay two 4' levels on a work bench. Place the levels parallel to each other with about 1' between them. Place a 1/16" shim under the end of one 4' level. Stand back about 3 or 4 feet and move your head up and down until the top of the two levels come together. You will be able to see if the top of the levels are in the same plane. You are not checking for level, you are checking for twist. If the top of the two levels are in the same plane, there is no twist. Same thing applies to the arms on the tractor. You will be able to see 1/16" in 4 feet. If my math is correct that is less than 1/10th of one degree.

 

[ovrszd]

And I would add, if you can see that they are not parallel you will definitely notice when using the bucket.

 

[big bubba]

misalignment of the 2 mounting plates on my fel quick attach is something i've experienced too. in my case it was caused by one of my QA levers becoming released (unknowingly) thereby putting extra stress to the opposing arm when under load. as previously mentioned, the torsion bar then develops a twist resulting in fel arm misalignment.

i agree the textbook cure would be either torsion bar replacement or cut & weld back together as mentioned.
But this will not prevent another incident. Personally, i made adjustments raising & lowering the fel (under load) w/one of the sides unattached, the other secure. Solved the problem (for now) I'll let someone else describe that technique better than me.
my advice is to bungee down the fel release levers, & keep the load on the fel as centered as possible.
other? don't attempt a job on a B series intended for an M. all in good fun

 

[ovrszd]

I had that happen while carrying a huge load. Twisted the tube so bad I had to cut it.

For minor twists reversing the load will correct it.