I was having some problems with my kubota L2900 (LA480 Loader) where it wouldn't stop going up and then it didn't want to go down at all. Also, the float didn't work. I took apart the bottom of the control valve to take a look at the ball detent assembly. I found that the small spring was kinked pretty bad, so I figured it would be a good time to order a ball detent kit and rebuild it (items "A" on the diagram below)
I took everything apart, which was easy enough. Putting things together seemed to go smoothly as well, until I tried to operate the loader. For some reason, the joystick is extremely stiff. For example, when I lift the bucket not only is there resistance in the joystick, but the bucket keeps right on going up - it's almost like the large return spring that came with the detent kit isn't stiff enough to return the joystick to a neutral position. When I lower the bucket (and I really have to force the joystick) the same thing happens, the bucket keeps on going down on its own (note that this is not float - the float position still doesn't appear to be working). I noticed when I took the assembly apart for the first time, that the uppermost o-ring had been sucked inside the valve assembly and was wrapped around the spool further up that it was supposed to be. I fixed this, and still had the same issues with the joystick. I did notice that when I take the bottom of the control valve off (exposing the bottom of the spool and the detents) that I lose most of the resistance in the joystick. I still don't think it's returning to neutral like it should (again maybe due to a weak spring?).
Any idea guys? I've had this darn thing apart over a dozen times and I am drawing blanks. If helpful, here is a good picture that I was able to nab off of the internet that shows the same spool setup that I have.
When I re-assembled, I put everything back together the way it came out. This seemed to be in keeping with pictures I found on the internet and the above diagram. The top to bottom order in which I assembled is as follows: spool, 4 small detent balls, spring (which seems to pass between/behind the small detent balls) then the large ball, then the cap. This fully assembled looked like this:
My next step will be to put the old guts back into operation (but keep the new smaller spring for the detents) to see if that fixes the issue. But I won't have time to look at it until this weekend so I wanted to see if anyone had any ideas in the meantime.
Thanks,
Steve
I took everything apart, which was easy enough. Putting things together seemed to go smoothly as well, until I tried to operate the loader. For some reason, the joystick is extremely stiff. For example, when I lift the bucket not only is there resistance in the joystick, but the bucket keeps right on going up - it's almost like the large return spring that came with the detent kit isn't stiff enough to return the joystick to a neutral position. When I lower the bucket (and I really have to force the joystick) the same thing happens, the bucket keeps on going down on its own (note that this is not float - the float position still doesn't appear to be working). I noticed when I took the assembly apart for the first time, that the uppermost o-ring had been sucked inside the valve assembly and was wrapped around the spool further up that it was supposed to be. I fixed this, and still had the same issues with the joystick. I did notice that when I take the bottom of the control valve off (exposing the bottom of the spool and the detents) that I lose most of the resistance in the joystick. I still don't think it's returning to neutral like it should (again maybe due to a weak spring?).
Any idea guys? I've had this darn thing apart over a dozen times and I am drawing blanks. If helpful, here is a good picture that I was able to nab off of the internet that shows the same spool setup that I have.
When I re-assembled, I put everything back together the way it came out. This seemed to be in keeping with pictures I found on the internet and the above diagram. The top to bottom order in which I assembled is as follows: spool, 4 small detent balls, spring (which seems to pass between/behind the small detent balls) then the large ball, then the cap. This fully assembled looked like this:
My next step will be to put the old guts back into operation (but keep the new smaller spring for the detents) to see if that fixes the issue. But I won't have time to look at it until this weekend so I wanted to see if anyone had any ideas in the meantime.
Thanks,
Steve
