FEL out of alignment

[Beaux Duke]

Skid Steer QA right ?

Let me guess, popped out on the bottom didn't it ?

When I first saw it, everything on the right side (view from driver's seat) was hanging down. I couldn't tell whether the top or the bottom popped out first.

 

[Beaux Duke]

The problem is in your grapple. Look at the top of the QA where it meets the grapple. The Kubota adapter is rebated on top and needs a solid plate in front of it like the bucket does. Your grapple is setting on the rebate which lets it be too low to lock up properly.

I had to modify a Markham bucket for the same reasons.

Do you have pics of your modifications?

I'm not familiar with the term "rebate" as it relates to QA adapters. Do you mean the triangular shaped head of the QA adapter? If not could you explain further?

Sorry but I'm still in the learning stages.

 

[kevinj]

Do you have pics of your modifications?

I'm not familiar with the term "rebate" as it relates to QA adapters. Do you mean the triangular shaped head of the QA adapter? If not could you explain further?

Sorry but I'm still in the learning stages.

Take the grapple off and put a straight edge on the front plate. You will see the top 2" or so are back about 1/2" and this causes the fit issue which allows the device to set low and come off the pins. Any mods should be to the attachment if possible.

The Kubota QA is made to set against a solid plate and not an open device which hits top & bottom like Markham.

Take a good look at your pics and can see the lack of contact at the top.

 

[Hillfarmer]

Have you tried leaving the loader on the tractor and unhooking the hydraulic hoses. Remember to wobble the stick before unhooking the hoses to relieve the pressure on the cylinders. Then use the tractor to push the QA against something solid to realign the cylinders.

 

[Beaux Duke]

Take the grapple off and put a straight edge on the front plate. You will see the top 2" or so are back about 1/2" and this causes the fit issue which allows the device to set low and come off the pins. Any mods should be to the attachment if possible.

The Kubota QA is made to set against a solid plate and not an open device which hits top & bottom like Markham.

Take a good look at your pics and can see the lack of contact at the top.

OK, I've learned a few things. Rebate means recessed or offset in the tractor world and I need to adapt my grapple to work with my QA.

I'll work on the grapple mods but the front plate on the right was definitely off on the QA. It was definitely lower on the outside edge when compared to the left according to the welders straight edge.

Care to share a few pics of your mods to your Markham grapple?

Thanks.

 

[Beaux Duke]

Have you tried leaving the loader on the tractor and unhooking the hydraulic hoses. Remember to wobble the stick before unhooking the hoses to relieve the pressure on the cylinders. Then use the tractor to push the QA against something solid to realign the cylinders.

Thanks for the suggestion but everything is aligned now.
It was actually very easy to adjust the rams in & out once the torque tube was cut. Once cut the welder was able to just push them in & out with little effort.

 

[kevinj]

OK, I've learned a few things. Rebate means recessed or offset in the tractor world and I need to adapt my grapple to work with my QA.

I'll work on the grapple mods but the front plate on the right was definitely off on the QA. It was definitely lower on the outside edge when compared to the left according to the welders straight edge.

Care to share a few pics of your mods to your Markham grapple?

Thanks.

No doubt you tweaked the QA when the grapple came off. I do not have a grapple. i do have a Markham grub bucket which had the same poor fit issues.

I added a 3" wide flat stock(had 3" in stock) the same thickness as the top rail directly below so that the QA flat face is resting on the flat stock.

When you have the grapple mounted I am assuming that the tapered bottom plate by the pins does not fit tight against the QA.

I talked to Markham about this issue and the response was pretty much not his problem as he builds "skid steer compatible" and he felt the Kubota design was not.

Attached are some of the pics I sent to Markham

 

[kevinj]

Care to share a few pics of your mods to your Markham grapple?

Thanks.

I did, and are you still out there?