Slop in SSQA anyone?

[adettman]

Hey, folks.

I posted earlier tonite about the pins on my L3400 SSQA not seating fully in the rectangular holes on the plate associated with my tractor bucket. By backing the nut off on either side, I think I was able to alleviate this problem (the pins now rest on the edge of that rectangular hole).

However, I'm now wondering how much "slop" folks allow between their tractor's SSQA and any of their implements (i.e. bucket, forks, etc). Attached are two photos that may or may not illustrate the amount of "play" I'm experiencing. More to the point, I'll say that with my SSQA pins locked and the loader lifted, I can lift the bucket slightly by hand, seemingly overriding the springs that hold the pins in place. The photos more or less show the freedom of movement the bucket has on my tractor's SSQA.

I guess my question is do folks expect this kind of play/slop with their SSQA + attachment(s)? I compared it to a slightly newer Kubota L3800 at work and that bucket has largely zero freedom of movement on the SSQA. I even applied down pressure with the loader and didn't witness the bucket shifting up/down on the SSQA.

Hope my question is clear as mud. My tractor's got about 1000 hours on it. The SSQA appears to be in fine shape. I'm not seeing any grossly bent or warped components for what that's worth. Furthermore, the amount of play I'm seeing is evident regardless of the attachment. My bucket moves just as freely as my forks, leading me to believe it's not the attachment itself. Curious what folks think. Thanks for your time.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Take more pictures of the bottom of the SSQA, around the latches.
I did see your other photos and something isn't right.
Because yes you have too much play in there.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

ZERO slop ! The taper of the pins 'draws' the 'slotted' edge of the bucket backet,bringing hte flat face of the bucket flush with the SSQA attachment plate, so there isn't any gap or slop between bucket and SSQA plate.
My bucket is harder to attach than my HLA pallet forks,due to design but both fit flush and tight.

 

[adettman]

Take more pictures of the bottom of the SSQA, around the latches.
I did see your other photos and something isn't right.
Because yes you have too much play in there.

Here are some photos.. hope they're helpful. I tried to attach a video I took of me jostling my pallet forks around (which shows the pins moving relatively freely inside their respective holes on the attachment) but the site won't let me attach the movie as-is (Quicktime vid). Not sure if there's a different format that'd work..?

I included one photo of a pin engaged in its slot. You can see a little daylight between the pin and the attachment.

If the pins were worn enough to cause this, I would be surprised to see them worn so evenly, no? They appear to have their factory taper. Do these springs wear out?

Eager to hear what you think. Thanks.

 

[GrizBota]

Your tractor has 1000 hours on it. Does most of that entail using the FEL? Or 50%, 10%? FWIW my 600 hr L tractor (maybe 10-15% FEL usage) shows hardly any wear at the location pictured.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Would you measure this distance?
Top to right where it starts to bend.

 

[Jsjac]

In you pictures it looks like the right side plate is bent.
The side view looking from the left to the right.
The plate that sits against the bucket looks bulging out and the top is bent backwards.

 

[Smokeydog]

Had to shim up grapple to better fit the Kubota ssqa.

 

[adettman]

Would you measure this distance?
Top to right where it starts to bend.

View attachment 119876

I measured in 4 places total, 2 on each side.. all measured 15-1/4".

 

[adettman]

Had to shim up grapple to better fit the Kubota ssqa.
View attachment 119884 View attachment 119885 View attachment 119886

Thanks for the pics. I'm already considering the same.. just curious that my attachments have fit snug until now.

 

[Jsjac]

In you pictures it looks like the right side plate is bent.
The side view looking from the left to the right.
The plate that sits against the bucket looks bulging out and the top is bent backwards.

this is the high spot that I am talking about.
That surface should be flat.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

View attachment 119905 this is the high spot that I am talking about.
That surface should be flat.

I do think it's an optical illusion,
Its not a high spot its a wide spot that in pictures make it look high.

 

[adettman]

I do think it's an optical illusion,
Its not a high spot its a wide spot that in pictures make it look high.

Can confirm. Just went out there.. those plates are flat. It's an optical illusion.

Nothing appears bent, bulged, etc.

Any thoughts on those measurements?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

You're SSQA is 3/4" to 1" shorter than it should be.
It should be between 16 1/5 and 16 1/4.
There were quite a few older SSQA adapters that were built shorter than they should have been.
Bet if you measure your plates they fall in that measurement range.

 

[D2Cat]

You're SSQA is 3/4" to 1" shorter than it should be.
It should be between 16 1/5 and 16 1/4.
There were quite a few older SSQA adapters that were built shorter than they should have been.
Bet if you measure your plates they fall in that measurement range.

In post #11 where the red line is at the top, does he need to add some steel there to extend the adapters for a tighter fit?

 

[adettman]

You're SSQA is 3/4" to 1" shorter than it should be.
It should be between 16 1/5 and 16 1/4.
There were quite a few older SSQA adapters that were built shorter than they should have been.
Bet if you measure your plates they fall in that measurement range.

Wow. That's unreal. You've encountered that before though? Or know folks who have? Particularly with Kubotas? Forgive me if I sound skeptical. What you're describing sounds spot-on, however.. my SSQA simply appears short although there's nothing bent or abnormal to account for it.

I guess my only question would be how'd I not notice it until now? Seems like my attachments have been pretty snug until recently.

Any ideas on the best way to shim my SSQA to take up the slack? Probably a number of ways to accomplish it.

Thanks for your interest into my dilemma here, honestly.. very helpful.

 

[adettman]

In post #11 where the red line is at the top, does he need to add some steel there to extend the adapters for a tighter fit?

Sort of what I'm wondering as well.. where'd be the best place to start in terms of shimming my SSQA?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Measure your mounting plates first, that will tell us which way to go.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The best way to fix it is to add a plate on the top of the SSQA adapter to bring it into spec.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Would someone please post a picture of a "properly fitting SSQA pin" when its engaged.

I will check this weekend, but I am quite sure mine is like the OP's.

I am almost 100% sure that when engaged, my pin hits about 5/8 of the way up (from the tip of the pin.)

Having a properly fitting reference would help a lot....(at least for me).