Loader curled up or down for storage?

[CAgnoli]

Okay, I see lots of tractors with their loaders on outside, pretty standard fair. But some loaders have the bucket curled all the way over so water can't get in them maybe? I don't understand the logic on that, and was hoping you guys could clue me in on best practice?

I would think that having the cylinders open all the way would expose the rods to too much moisture, and promote rust?

What say you?

 

[WM75Guy]

I curl mine under so water does not collect. It gets used almost every day unless it's raining so the rods stay shiny. Mosquito eggs can hatch pretty quick in standing water, some species in as few as 16 hours, most in 24 - 48 hours.

 

[treman]

I see it both ways. Loader curled collects water and mosquitoes etc. but it protects the cylinders. dumped all the way keeps the water out but rusts the cylinders. I think its a personal preference.

 

[k0ua]

I dump down just enough that water runs out, I am more worried about the standing water than the rust on the cylinders, The tractor will be used in a couple of days. Hopefully I will get the building soon and not have to worry about either

James K0UA

 

[creekbend]

Since I parked my tractor under a shed, I just rest my FEL bucket flat. BTW, I have a tooth bar on the bucket. This works for me.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I park mine with the bucket either flat or cylinders extened fully with cutting edge vertical so the tractor fits better under the shed. I dont worry about the chrome plating rusting and I wouldnt if it were parked outside. Our old farm equipment sat outside all its life with hydraulic cylinders exposed. Never saw any of them rusting at all. Most "rust" that you see on cylinders is from steel contaminates like grinder dust etc that land on the cylinder and will rust into the cylinder. Most of the time this can be removed without damage to the chromium plating with crocus cloth 800 grit or finer. I dont have any possibility of steel contamination where I park so having the cylinders extended for me is not an issue. If you use your tractor at least once every 3 months, the oily film will stay with the cylinder also.
Just look at the chrome on 50-60 year old cars that have sat in weeds for 40 years, the chrome is still brite when the dirt is removed. You guys are worrying about something that you shouldn't be concerned with.

Now if you are concerned with something falling on them and damaging the rods then by all means retract them fully to minimize any contact.

 

[RTII]

I park mine under cover with the bucket flat. Less chance of banging shins that way. I hate that!

 

[grnspot110]

I leave the Q/A bucket outside on a simple wood rack, made so it will drain. Tractor & loader are stored inside. Any hydraulics stored outside have the cylinders closed! ~~ grnspot

 

[LD1]

I park mine flat. Kinda a compromise of all of the above reasons. It wont collect water that way, exposes a minimal amount of cylinder rod, and walking by, I dont catch my shin on one of the teeth.

If you are going to srore prolonged and indoors/under cover, I would curl all the way back to protect the rods.

Dumping all the way dont work on my kubota. The way the top lip of the bucket is, IT would collect water.

 

[DKCDKC]

Always parked the bucket turned up. My equipment is almost always in a shed, so the water isn't an issue. But a turned up blade makes a good seat while I'm messing with tools and stuff.