I have a L3800 DT with a LA524 frontloader mounted. The tractor and FL were purchased together in 2011 and have about 450 hrs on them. Maintenance has been good. I used the frontloader to remove trees and stumps and now the bucket is out of level about an inch or two. Mounting bolts have always been tight and there appears to be no cracks or other pbms with the loader structure. What should I be looking for as the cause? Is there a common cause of this, loose bolts, etc. To fix should I loosen all mounting bolts, level out bucket and torque bolts? Just looking for a little incite before I tackle this. thanks for any comments and help
Front Loader not level
- Thread starter pinkerpv
- Start date
Technical Ted
Member
Equipment
L3560/cab LA805 loader LandPride RCF2060 rotary cutter, HLA hyd angle snow blade
I read on this list of someone else having a similar problem and it turned out that one of his tires was low on air pressure. It's worth a check!
Good luck,
Ted
Thanks for the response.Check tires every day because of an air leak. Whole nuther problem. Its something else.
While there may have been some movement in mounting point bolts/holes, tire pressure as noted by Ted is a common cause. Don't forget the rear tires, as they affect it as well. After all tires are set correctly, and you have it parked on a LEVEL slab of concrete, measure from front frame extremities to concrete (left & right), and outer edge of rear axle housings left and right to ensure tractor is square to the ground. A small discrepancy will be magnified at the tips of the bucket if there is one. If there is none then loosening all FEL mounts and setting it all correctly on level concrete can be achieved. Note that if this is done and it corrects the problem, you may have to "pin" the offending mount/s that have slipped or worn to stop it happening again.
Of course one other reason may be the fact that the loader boom or bucket is twisted slightly due to too much lift being done on one corner when getting under stumps. This may be very hard to see, and may only become evident after all the above has been done and some detailed measurements confirm this.
I would also remove the bucket to do the checks of the loader arms. And if you have a quick attach bucket, that is another place for some wear or alignment issues to creep in. Good luck.
Of course one other reason may be the fact that the loader boom or bucket is twisted slightly due to too much lift being done on one corner when getting under stumps. This may be very hard to see, and may only become evident after all the above has been done and some detailed measurements confirm this.
I would also remove the bucket to do the checks of the loader arms. And if you have a quick attach bucket, that is another place for some wear or alignment issues to creep in. Good luck.
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if the bucket is bent, sometimes you can spot it, by taking it off, and laying it on a known flat slab. If it wobbles, like a table with a short leg, you have a clue...
Grouse Feathers
New member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
BX2370, FEL, Snowblower-BX5455, Homebuilt Forks, LP RB1560, LP GS1548
In fact the rear tires are the ones to be concerned about, as the front tires will not affect the the level of the loader bucket. The front axle and tires do not affect how level the tractor sets because of the axle pivot.
Absolutely correct Larry, but everyone checks the front tires because they are on the front next to the loader, and forget the rear. While the centre pivot is there on a tractor, it is not on other machines like loaders, skidsteers, forklifts, some telehandlers etc., so as a general rule, check all the tires first.
And I should mention measuring the loader mounting points to ground, check rams and pins for wear, measure pin to pin distances on arms, some things you just do automatically, the list can go on and on.....
Thanks everyone. Have ckd all tires as a routine every day. Some suggestions I have already done, but will work thru the list. Appreciate the help.
On machines with a centre pivot. Maybe you missed a bit here eh!
No maybe you missed a lot as pinkerpv's tractor (L3800DT) has center pivot frt axle!
tcrote5516
New member
Equipment
BX1860, FEL, 50" Front Blower, Heated Cab, 6' blade, 3pt carry all, 3pt hitch
I believe he was referring to "one of those front axle pivot tractors" not "one of those have to be right all the time people". Holster your weapon sheriffOne of those what? I believe info posted should be correct not incorrect.
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tcrote5516
New member
Equipment
BX1860, FEL, 50" Front Blower, Heated Cab, 6' blade, 3pt carry all, 3pt hitch
That's OK, you don't need it. Check the "commonsense ball" which I would hope is dust freetcrote5516
You could be correct but my "crystal ball" is covered with dust.
I had the same problem last year, and so here is the link to that thread in case you can find anything in it useful to you. A combination of frame issues and tire inflation.
http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19776
http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19776
That's OK, you don't need it. Check the "commonsense ball" which I would hope is dust free
My "common sense ball" is normally dust free. That's the reason I stated air pressure in frt tires on a pivoting frt axle WILL NOT affect ft end loader bucket levelness.