Why are my loader cylinders out of sync?

[JWR]

Modifying a SSQA to fit a Kubota, and Kubota actually offering SSQA as an option or standard equipment on their tractors are 2 different things
Not sure what tractor mfg. first offered SSQA, but I don't believe it was Kubota.

I don't have industry records or any authoritative knowledge of which manufacturer offered the SSQA first. I'm mainly talking about on-the-lot as-seen equipment. All I am sure of is that starting about April 2000 through mid 2015 when I was visiting a couple dozens of tractor dealers and attending the Ohio and PA farm shows multiple times, the orange ones essentially ALL had SSQA on them sitting on the lots, not something you had to order. The green, blue and red ones did not. My impression was that Deere held out longer than the rest, being mistakenly overconfident that their large market share would win and let them continue with a proprietary pin system. By around 2010 the Massey Fergs had about half of their 'on-the-lot' tractors outfitted with SSQA interfaces. It was a decade or two long transition. I assume this varied from state to state / region to region. But Kubota clearly led the trend in eastern Ohio, central PA, W.Va. and MD.

 

[plowhog]

Perhaps The OP can supply us with additional pics.

I got called away but just got back to the tractor. For the life of me I cannot find anything bent or twisted. But I again had the same problem trying to install the forks again this morning.

I'm enclosing some additional pix ...

 

[ericm979]

Since the two sides are out of alignment when the cylinders are in the middle of their travel, that means that the timing tube in the middle is twisted.

That might have been caused by one cylinder being 1/4" shorter than the other when retracted (or extended, I can't remember which it was). That would twist the tube when the cylinder went to the stops. Due to the linkage it'd be more than the 1/4" at the plates.

 

[Xfaxman]

Since the two sides are out of alignment when the cylinders are in the middle of their travel, that means that the timing tube in the middle is twisted.

Right:

It can easily be twisted back straight as covered in many threads on many tractor forums on the internet and earlier here in this thread.

You are not the first that it has happened to.

 

[plowhog]

It can easily be twisted back straight as covered

I pushed just one side against a tree and applied force, but when I backed away it sprang back into the same position.

I attached the forks assembly, but could not engage the left side. So with the right side attached I picked up a log using only the right fork tine. When I did, the left side pulled in tight and I could engage the SSQA lock on that side. After that it seemed to operate normally but when I take the forks off it springs back into the same position.

I don't have access to a welder, so I have not (yet) cut the lower rod and re-welded it back. I cannot see any twist in that lower rod; however, I presume it must exist or I wouldn't have this recurring issue ......

Q- do these typically get bent based on a mismatched load of left vs right side?

 

[JWR]

Right:
View attachment 732513
It can easily be twisted back straight as covered in many threads on many tractor forums on the internet and earlier here in this thread.

You are not the first that it has happened to.

Correct. Definitely the case. People have mentioned in earlier posts what to do... get it straight one way or the other. And if it were mine I would reinforce it or weld on one 3 times that diameter.

 

[JWR]

I pushed just one side against a tree and applied force, but when I backed away it sprang back into the same position.

I attached the forks assembly, but could not engage the left side. So with the right side attached I picked up a log using only the right fork tine. When I did, the left side pulled in tight and I could engage the SSQA lock on that side. After that it seemed to operate normally but when I take the forks off it springs back into the same position.

I don't have access to a welder, so I have not (yet) cut the lower rod and re-welded it back. I cannot see any twist in that lower rod; however, I presume it must exist or I wouldn't have this recurring issue ......

Q- do these typically get bent based on a mismatched load of left vs right side?

Yeah, Oh Dear ! When some of us suggested "do the opposite and unbend it" we did not mean if the tiny 'timing' crossing rod was twisted, we meant if the loader frame was torqued/twisted which is NOT your problem. See comments on the post with the arrow pointing to what exactly is twisted. Post #54. Need to have welding help to cut it loose and reattach (and I say replace it with something 3x as large a diameter and strength.)

 

[DK35vince]

Q- do these typically get bent based on a mismatched load of left vs right side?

No offence meant, but that timing bar looks like it could twist if you looked at it wrong.
Get everything lined up straight and weld something in there that will hold up better

 

[JWR]

No offence meant, but that timing bar looks like it could twist if you looked at it wrong.
Get everything lined up straight and weld something in there that will hold up better

ABSOLUTELY ! That's what the last several posts are saying.

 

[npalen]

I'm inclined to say, at this point, just cut the little tube, rod or whatever it is in half near one end with a hacksaw. Then you can use it like an SSQA where the two ends are not attached to each other. This is covered in some of the above posts.
Then, at a later date when you have access to a welder or a weldor, it can be realigned and welded. Others above, however, have suggested a larger diameter piece which sounds like good advice.