Excessive control/joystick slop on FEL

[Walt]

The control lever on my FEL has so much slop that I had to remove the top plate covering the control valve to allow the stick to go far enough forward to go into float position. Been running this for the past year like this. The joystick has at least 6 inches of play forward and backwards and the lever will not center to stop the bucket, got the center it manually. I want to drill out the lever and pin mechanism to the next size larger pin to tighten this all up. I think I can make a new pin out of a #5 grade bolt. Anyone had this issue and or suggestions. Thought Id ask before I tear into this..., Regards Walt
ps. the controls on the backhoe are almost as bad....

 

[Billdog350]

The centering problem is likely inside your valve body so that's a separate issue that will need addressing. Water often gets inside the valve body at the caps and rusts things up.

For the slop, you can buy new heim joints and bolts from Kubota, and/or drill out the connections to the spool. I wish they used replacible bushings on those spools so people could tap them out and slide in new ones and make things tight again. Maybe an idea when you tighten things up?

 

[D2Cat]

Are you saying the linkage has play in the connections? If it is, you need to replace the parts. If it's not the linkage, it is probably the springs on the spool end. They can be replaced also.

 

[ShaunRH]

Billdog and D2Cat have the right approach from my POV.

I'd pull the linkage entirely and check the play in the spools themselves. If the spools have only small amounts of play, you need to drill and bush the mount points. I'd stay with the factory sizes and use bushings to make up the difference. That will tighten things up.

If the spools have a lot of play, it's time for rebuild or replacement of the valve assembly. Given the costs of rebuilds these days, it's almost cheaper to buy a new loader valve. Prince, Brand, and a couple others are fairly inexpensive.

Just my $0.02 but it's the same dilemma I face on my D17's valves... I'm just going to replace the sloppy critters.

 

[Walt]

The pin that the lever pivots on is about shot. The whole control stick has worn or wallered out from use. I think the control valve is sticking and needs rebuilt as mentioned. The heim joints seem ok....It really does need bushings that are replaceable....Thanks everyone, I will tear into this in a few days when I finish up putting in a new driveway. I assume Kubota has rebuild kits for the control valve???? Regards Walt

 

[Tooljunkie]

On the one i used to run at former job had a worn out pin also. I cut pin iff bracket, found about a 5/8"x2-1/2" bolt and welded it in place of the pin. Then on underside i placed a spring and nylock nut, set it tight enough it wouldnt stick. Worked perfectly.
Was on a L4610 HST, dont recall model of loader.

 

[Walt]

On the one i used to run at former job had a worn out pin also. I cut pin iff bracket, found about a 5/8"x2-1/2" bolt and welded it in place of the pin. Then on underside i placed a spring and nylock nut, set it tight enough it wouldnt stick. Worked perfectly.
Was on a L4610 HST, dont recall model of loader.

Thats exactly what I am going to do......

 

[Tooljunkie]

Sorry i didnt take pictures, it was pre iphone and old phone wasnt that smart.
I try to photograph all my builds and unusual repairs now.

If i recall the most play was that large pin slopping around in the hole.
I may have found a sleeve and drilled bracket too. It was maybe 6 years ago.