Artillian pallet fork frame issue w/BX23S.

[Shaun Ryder]

I recently ordered, and picked up myself at the factory, a set of pallet forks and frame for my Kubota BX23S with SSQA.

I am having an issue fully closing one of the two SSQA latches with the pallet fork frame on. On one side, the SSQA latch fully closes against the SSQA frame. On the other side, a bolt that is part of the SSQA assembly strikes a "tab" on the SSQA frame that it shouldn't, and therefore will not close all of the way.

My factory SSQA bucket fits perfect and both latches fully close. This issue is only happening with the Artillian pallet fork frame. I've attached two pictures, one showing the latch that fully closes, and the other latch that does not close fully.

I'm a new tractor owner. Am I doing something obviously dumb here, or is there a problem? Thanks.

 

[lynnmor]

First thing I would do is check to see if the plates on the loader are parallel.

 

[Shaun Ryder]

First thing I would do is check to see if the plates on the loader are parallel.

I'm sorry, could you elaborate on this a little bit? I do appreciate your response but I'm not sure exactly what I should check here. Thanks!

 

[rc51stierhoff]

I’d look at the bottom side where the pin locks the SSQA frame to the implement and see how the pin is or is not going through the hole…it could be the fork frame not settled in and there is a misalignment prevent the lever from going down (pin not engaging all the way). If confusing look at the one from the bottom that does latch. Then Check the other.

 

[lynnmor]

I'm sorry, could you elaborate on this a little bit? I do appreciate your response but I'm not sure exactly what I should check here. Thanks!

With nothing on the loader arms, raise them a few feet. The flat plates you see should be parallel, not one tilted more than the other.

 

[Shaun Ryder]

With nothing on the loader arms, raise them a few feet. The flat plates you see should be parallel, not one tilted more than the other.

Got it. So I did that; pulled the pallet fork frame off, raised the SSQA plates, and checked the entire "face" of the SSQA with a level and it doesn't appear that anything at all is out of whack with the SSQA plate. However.. I noticed that with the attachment off, and the SSQA levers in the locked position, the SSQA bolt on the "bad" side is much closer to the metal tab on the SSQA plate. I've attached two photos. Are the nuts on the spring loaded SSQA adjustable to bring the height of this bolt up or down? Please see photos.

 

[DustyRusty]

With the rack off of the SSQA, run your fingers under the upper edge to see if there is any obstructions that would keep the SSQA from going fully into the pocket. It might just be some welding spatter that is keeping it from fully seating at the top. If everything looks good, then lift the rack till it is off the ground, and you can do this with the forks off or on, but preferably off. Push the rack from the side to see if it might move around enough to where it is fully seated on the SSQA, and then the lower pins will engage correctly on both sides. If this doesn't work, then a call to the manufacturer is necessary, since I would advise against making any adjustments to your machine to accommodate the pallet forks. They should fit just like the bucket does.

 

[Shaun Ryder]

With the rack off of the SSQA, run your fingers under the upper edge to see if there is any obstructions that would keep the SSQA from going fully into the pocket. It might just be some welding spatter that is keeping it from fully seating at the top. If everything looks good, then lift the rack till it is off the ground, and you can do this with the forks off or on, but preferably off. Push the rack from the side to see if it might move around enough to where it is fully seated on the SSQA, and then the lower pins will engage correctly on both sides. If this doesn't work, then a call to the manufacturer is necessary, since I would advise against making any adjustments to your machine to accommodate the pallet forks. They should fit just like the bucket does.

OK, thanks for the tips. Much appreciated.

 

[ve9aa]

I don't know a thing about Artillian, but yeah, that was going to be my guess too.

A relatively common issue to have the 2 "halves" of your FEL
's SSQA adapter plate to become slightly twisted
and then implements won't fit exactly the same on both sides.

Even I twisted mine ever so slightly - and I am a careful type of guy. So, now one pin goes in a little differently than the other pin....just ever so slightly.

The common fix is to push or pull one side against a tree or other immovable object.

Welding spatter or mfr tolerances is also a good guess. (as has been mentioned)

(I don't know about adjusting those bolts--someone will comment)

You take great pix, but they are all so close it's hard to get a "big picture" view of your issues.

Good luck !

 

[xrocketengineer]

I have the feeling the the right pin on the SSQA is not going as far down as the left even with no attachment. It might need adjustment. There is a lengthy discussion on this thread about it, however it got started with the attachment coming off while back dragging. It might help you understand how the SSQA latches work or it will confuse the hell out of you....

https://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/threads/ssqa-mod.48809/