FEL goes up by itself

Jay4200 · Oct 4, 2006

Every once in a while, usually while backing up and looking over my shoulder, I'll feel a clunk, and I turn back around to find my LA680 FEL all the way up over my head. Never ceases to scare the **** out of me.

It appears that the weight of the control lever is adequate to engage the 'up' control valve if I hit a bump or otherwise bounce the tractor, and stays engaged until I lift the lever. It doesn't happen often, but does occasionally.

I know this can't possibly be normal. The bumping into lift position really doesn't suprise me, as the lever is very long and reasonably heavy, but is seems like I should have to apply some reasonable amount of pressure on the lever to keep the bucket lifting. Do I have some kind of dead lever return spring or something?

Thanks - Jay

MadReferee · Oct 4, 2006

Inside each spool there is a spring along with end caps, etc. that should return the spool to neutral. There may be an adjusting screw there too. I have never taken one of the Kubota/Husco valves apart so I am not sure.

Kubota may have a replacement spring for their Husco valves. Prince has light, medium and heavy springs for their spools. Kubota/Husco might have them too.

RonR · Oct 4, 2006

I'd get that fixed RIGHT NOW!

Quite a few yrs ago, near here, a prominent Doctor was moving hay bales with his JD. He was backing up, and had his hand on the FEL control. He raised as he backed, not realizing it.

He didn't have a bale fork (mistake #2), and when the bucket got high enough, the bale rolled down the FEL, over the steering wheel, and HIM. It broke his back and left him paralyzed.

Be careful.

ron

bigjohnkub · Oct 4, 2006

The control valve spool for the lift also has the float detent on the bottom. This has several ball bearings that when taken apart, fly all over the shop. The outside cave is held on by two allen head bolts, and will become full of dirt and mud. I have never been able to figure out how it gets in ther, as most of them are sealed. Be careful on dismantle or take it to dealer.

texasjohn · Oct 4, 2006

Note to self: Keep hands off of FEL controls unless actually intentionally moving the FEL. I think I do this now... but will be more conscious and make sure that it is a habit!

KennyV · Oct 5, 2006

Hello Jay…
You may be outside checking your PTO right now…
The control valve has a rebuild kit … there is a spring inside that centers things, water can get inside and rust the spring and float detent. The part number for my remote valve kit (I think this part kit works on yours too), is 75540-61420… It’s tricky to get back together but if you watch closely when you take it apart, you will like the way it goes back together… KennyV.

Thomas · Oct 5, 2006

Good morning Jay.
I had somewhat the same problem years back,I spray WD40 yearly and never had problem since...might be worth a try...you'll be surpirse the gunk that builds up in the control valve area.

Jay4200 · Oct 9, 2006

Thomas said:
Good morning Jay.
I had somewhat the same problem years back,I spray WD40 yearly and never had problem since...might be worth a try...you'll be surpirse the gunk that builds up in the control valve area.

I should've thought of that.

I am a firm believer in the "spray WD40 at it" approach to general mechanical repair. I had a car once that wouldn't run. Somebody's wife suggested spraying WD40 on it. To appease her, and mostly to be a smart-arse, I sprayed WD40 at the motor. I didn't even aim at anything in particular, just sprayed AT the motor.

Thing ran like a top after that. Honest to gawd.

Makes one heck of a dessert topping too...

Jay

texasjohn · Oct 9, 2006

If you like WD 40, you'll love PB BLASTER!

WD 40 displaces water (water displacement 40) but leaves no residual film of oil.

PB BLASTER is a penetrating oil, gets into rusty cracks and lets you get things loose better than WD40, then leaves a film of oil. I never knew about it until I started reading TBN. It's in car parts houses.

fishpick · Oct 9, 2006

texasjohn said:
If you like WD 40, you'll love PB BLASTER!
PB BLASTER is a penetrating oil, gets into rusty cracks and lets you get things loose better than WD40,

I second that - someone told me to use it on a huge bush hog nut that was difficult to tell where the bolt ended and the nut began... PB Blaster is very cool stuff!

Now - back to the dessert topping comment - really?