Bump up lift capacity of L3400/LA463 Loader

[Goog]

I really like my tractor except that the loader is kind of weak. I would like to know if anyone has increased the relief valve pressure by adding shims to the relief spring?

My salesman told me Kubota builds in a pretty safe cushion on there hydraulics and in my shop manual it looks pretty easy to do. They even list three different shims and tell you approx. pressure increase per mm thickness.

I am a not trying to lift the earth but looking a little more lift power without trading up to a larger tractor. Now that you can get the L4400 HST that would be my choice but it was not when I got my L3400.

Thanks for any input, Brian

 

[Wayne_Freeman]

I have the same tractor and bumped mine up a couple of weeks ago from 1450psi to 1750psi. I highly recomend you buy a wet gauge to measure so you don't end up damaging something.

 

[Goog]

Have you used it to see if you can tell any difference? Also do you remeber how much shim was there and how much you added? Last, I have not looked but where did you tap in with your gauge? Thank You, Brian

 

[Wayne_Freeman]

Yes, I can certainly tell the difference. Mine had two shims and I went to our local hardware and got a washer the same size as the thicker shim. I put a quick coupler on the wet gauge and plugged it in to any of the four for your loader connections. Actually the loader was not attached at the time. Just select that function and hold it for a second and the pressure will max out and begin to relieve itself. I do believe our machines come set at the low end of it's capability. You just don't want to run it too high. Let us know how you make out. The valve is so easily accessible you can make a change in five minutes.

 

[Goog]

Thank You Wayne. I think I have a gauge at work and will do a test before I change anything. I hope you are right about these being on the low side. I am anxious to see what my pressure is.

I went out and looked and I see what you mean about easy. Relief is right out in the open.

Thanks again, Brian

 

[SPYDERLK]

Thank You Wayne. I think I have a gauge at work and will do a test before I change anything. I hope you are right about these being on the low side. I am anxious to see what my pressure is.

I went out and looked and I see what you mean about easy. Relief is right out in the open.

Thanks again, Brian

You should be safe for the system up to at least 2000psi. Im running 2200 in my L3450. My Mahindra is std at 2700.
larry

 

[Adiredneck]

PLEASE, PICTURES!!!! I would like to have just "a bit more" capacity too.

 

[RadarTech]

hey folks,
I don't have the shop manual.. and I am not asking anyone to post it..
but I would really like some pics as to where to place these washers...

Thanks!

Jim

 

[westbrooklawn]

I would be really interested also... pics make it so much easier (or I guess I should say quicker). Goog... this would be a great "how to do it" procedure with photos if you do decide to make a change on yours. I know it would be appreciated by many L3400 users on here...

 

[Wayne_Freeman]

The hydraulic block is under your right foot. If you are on your back(creeper is nice) looking up at it you will see what looks like a drain plug. This is the valve. When you take it out you could actually drain your fluid slowly so have something to catch it and put the plug back in as soon as you take a look at the spring and shim washers that are between the plug base and spring. I had to use a scrib to pull my shims from the plug base. It was just laying there in fluid. The shim can be a small washer. Thickness is the key and a gauge is something you really want to use to make sure you are not going to damage your machine. Measure pressure before and after as described above. Please post your results!

 

[john_bud]

I have the same tractor and bumped mine up a couple of weeks ago from 1450psi to 1750psi. I highly recomend you buy a wet gauge to measure so you don't end up damaging something.

I think you mis-typed. Didn't you mean from 2450 to 2750 psi?

The attachment is a camera snap from the Kubota WSM showing the valve, it's parts and the pressure per shim.

jb

 

[Goog]

I think you mis-typed. Didn't you mean from 2450 to 2750 psi?

The attachment is a camera snap from the Kubota WSM showing the valve, it's parts and the pressure per shim.

jb

Wow. Did Kubota really have it set that low on the relief pressure? Now am I really curious as to what mine is set at. No wonder it seems like like it wont piack up a bucket full of anything. Brian

 

[Wayne_Freeman]

Sorrry guys I had a senior moment! I should have said 2450 t0 2750psi. Thanks for the correction.

 

[westbrooklawn]

Any further results on this ???

 

[StrangeRanger]

Another bump for this thread. I too would love to see some pics and a "how-to" post for this!! Thanks,
j

 

[teg]

I will also be watching for progess... and thanks john_bud for posting photo.

 

[Wayne_Freeman]

While pics are always great this adjustment is one of the easiest you will ever do. As I explained the hydraulic block is clearly assessible and the valve screws right out. The diagram posted is identical to the one posted. Adding a shim (or similar washer) will result in a proportional increase in relief pressure. I paid $30 for a wet gauge and put a quick release on it that will go on any of the four hoses on the control spool valve. Measuring pressure before and after is a key to making sure you have not changed too much. The biggest change I noticed is lift and curl and a bit stronger. Before my Kubota I has a Koyker 160 and it had significantly better lift and curl capacity. What do you guys say would be the max pressure? I am thinking about bumping up to around 2950?

 

[Goog]

Since I am the one one that started this thread I wish I had something to report. Been a busy week and not lloking good for this weekend either. Sorry about that guy's. I really want to see what my pressure is. Brian

 

[Harvest Moon]

If you cross reference part numbers between the LA463 and the LA513 they almost all match up... including the cylinders and the boom, so anyone thinking about trying this should be fine with capacities similar to the LA513 because it's essentially the same loader.

The main differences being some decals and the control valve and probably the mounting brackets.

That said, it's more difficult to predict how the L3400/2800 will handle the additional stress, either in the hydraulics or on the front axle.

I look forward to hearing more about how the L3400/2800 holds up to the extra stress from anyone who has given it a try, it's something I've been considering for a while but would rather not try before my warrantee is up.

 

[mjfox6]

I look forward to hearing more about how the L3400/2800 holds up to the extra stress from anyone who has given it a try, it's something I've been considering for a while but would rather not try before my warrantee is up.

I'd be more apt to try it if mine was still under warranty!