L2501 HYDRAULIC ARM FIX

j77mzx

New member

Equipment
Kubota L2501
Feb 6, 2022
5
1
3
Upstate NY
Hello all, I don't post much on here unless I really need help but this time I'd like to offer a solution for a problem I encountered and I believe it's happened to more than just me. I have an offset ditch and Bank flail mower that I use behind my 2022 l2501. When you use it in the offset position it is offset to the right side of the tractor. It is most convenient in this position as you don't have to turn all the way around to keep an eye on your mower and you're not driving over what you're trying to mow. The problem that I ran into is somehow it puts enough force on the top left hydraulic arm of the 3-point setup to mangle the little bracket that holds it on and pushes the arm off. I don't claim to be a physicist or a professor in geometry, quite frankly I'm not sure how it's possible as the stabilizer arms were tighter than a duck's ass, all I know is that it happened after only about 30 or 35 hours of mowing this year. This is the only implement that I use that is offset in any way and it's the one I was using when it happened. Luckily I was able to finish the mowing job and get the machine to the truck. I do have the KTAC insurance and my dealer told me that they would repair it no problem, free of charge, minus the $250 deductible. My issue being that after I paid $250 to them I was still going to have the same factory set up that was eventually going to break again. So here was my solution. I bought another bracket off messick's for $20, got two slightly longer M8 x 1.25 by 20 mm 10.9 grade bolts from tractor supply. I then used my plasma cutter to cut a piece of quarter inch plate into a round using a WD-40 can as my template. I put the piece of round plate on behind the new bracket and tightened everything up. This should prevent whatever pressure is on that arm from being able to push it off again. My only concern would be what's going to break next. If there's enough Force there that it's shoving that arm off than something is going to give somewhere and I doubt it will be the quarter inch piece of plate. I hope I'm wrong but if it ever happens I'll be sure to report back. I've only just finished this project I will report back when I've got several hours of use on it but I believe this could help some folks who have run into this issue. I've got about 2 hours and $30 into the repair and I believe it to be much stronger than the factory setup. Happy tractoring!

-Justin
 

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fried1765

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
7,843
5,066
113
Eastham, Ma
Hello all, I don't post much on here unless I really need help but this time I'd like to offer a solution for a problem I encountered and I believe it's happened to more than just me. I have an offset ditch and Bank flail mower that I use behind my 2022 l2501. When you use it in the offset position it is offset to the right side of the tractor. It is most convenient in this position as you don't have to turn all the way around to keep an eye on your mower and you're not driving over what you're trying to mow. The problem that I ran into is somehow it puts enough force on the top left hydraulic arm of the 3-point setup to mangle the little bracket that holds it on and pushes the arm off. I don't claim to be a physicist or a professor in geometry, quite frankly I'm not sure how it's possible as the stabilizer arms were tighter than a duck's ass, all I know is that it happened after only about 30 or 35 hours of mowing this year. This is the only implement that I use that is offset in any way and it's the one I was using when it happened. Luckily I was able to finish the mowing job and get the machine to the truck. I do have the KTAC insurance and my dealer told me that they would repair it no problem, free of charge, minus the $250 deductible. My issue being that after I paid $250 to them I was still going to have the same factory set up that was eventually going to break again. So here was my solution. I bought another bracket off messick's for $20, got two slightly longer M8 x 1.25 by 20 mm 10.9 grade bolts from tractor supply. I then used my plasma cutter to cut a piece of quarter inch plate into a round using a WD-40 can as my template. I put the piece of round plate on behind the new bracket and tightened everything up. This should prevent whatever pressure is on that arm from being able to push it off again. My only concern would be what's going to break next. If there's enough Force there that it's shoving that arm off than something is going to give somewhere and I doubt it will be the quarter inch piece of plate. I hope I'm wrong but if it ever happens I'll be sure to report back. I've only just finished this project I will report back when I've got several hours of use on it but I believe this could help some folks who have run into this issue. I've got about 2 hours and $30 into the repair and I believe it to be much stronger than the factory setup. Happy tractoring!

-Justin
"what's going to break next"?:(
The 3pt lift arm?
Let's hope not!
 
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Runs With Scissors

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Jan 25, 2023
2,421
2,785
113
Michigan
Nice job on the plate cut out and nice fix, but I'm thinking like Fried1765. Where is the stress being transferred to?

I've never used a mower like that so I'm having a difficult time in figuring out how it "pushed" that plate and bent it.

I suppose having KTAC back you if it turns catastrophic makes it more palatable though.
 
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lugbolt

Well-known member

Equipment
ZG127S-54
Oct 15, 2015
5,205
1,889
113
Mid, South, USA
That arm is not designed for any side load. Vertical load only. Something has had to pull it to the side in order to mangle that part like that. You'd be wise to figure out how before something else breaks. Keep us updated if you don't mind.
 
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GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
11,404
4,901
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
If there's any gap between implement pins and the lower arms THAT can allow sideways motion which over time can cause the breakage up top.....
 

whitetiger

Moderator
Staff member

Equipment
Kubota tech..BX2370, RCK60, B7100HST, RTV900 w plow, Ford 1100 FWA
Nov 20, 2011
2,920
1,381
113
Kansas City, KS
I believe it's happened to more than just me
You are correct, it has happened to others and has been posted on this site.
Mostly, people scoffed and claimed it could not happen or there is another problem. I have encountered it a few times in the past, mostly using three-point mounted discs and pushing with a back blade.

Kubota's suggestion was to make a heaver plate for the LH end of the rock shaft, the same as you have done.