DK 35 FEL weak

[mattman]

Who out there has made their fel stronger?? I was going to check on the pressure setting of the relief valve for the loader to see if I can get some more power that way.

Does anyone know what the relief valve in the loader is rated for?? How about the hydraulic pump setting. I would like to get close to the relief in the pump setting, to get the most out of my loader as possible. I feel the loader could be stronger than it is compared to the rest of the tractor.

Any and all help would be welcomed.

Thanks

 

[DK35vince]

What model loader do you have.
I have an older model KL 1450 loader. Recommended relief pressure was around 2300PSI if I remember right. I turned mine up to around 2450 PSI. (have not broken anything yet).
My loaders lifting power has always been pretty good but the bucket roll back power was useless/weak/gutless. The bucket pins were spaced at 5" apart, I drilled new holes and spaced the pins at 8" apart for more leverage. I also removed the stock 1.75" bucket rollback cylinders and replaced them with 2" cylinders.
My roll back power is SO MUCH better now. 2" roll back cylinders should have been on this loader in the first place.

 

[mattman]

I also have the 1450 loader. Yep the roll back is weaker than the lifting cylinders. Is there a set screw on adjusting relief pressure or some kind of washer shim type set-up?

How much and where did you come across the 2 inch cylinders that maybe the most costly but the best route.

 

[mattman]

So you moved the pin location up on the bucket for the tilt cylinders?? Am I reading that right?? How much help did this gain?? Was the work worth the gain to tilt strength or would the 2 inch cylinders have been the way to go from the start?? I would like to keep as much money in my pocket as possible.

I just feel that the FEL is not as strong as it should be for the tractor.

 

[DK35vince]

Is there a set screw on adjusting relief pressure or some kind of washer shim type set-up?

On your loader control valve, just above the joystick handle there is a screw with a jam nut. To adjust pressure, loosen the jam nut. Turning the screw clockwise increases pressure, conterclockwise decreases pressure. Once adjusted retighten jam nut.

How much and where did you come across the 2 inch cylinders that maybe the most costly but the best route.

I got my 2" cylinders from Surplus Center. I think they were around $80 each. (Sorry can't remember any part #'s).
I did need to cut the top mounts off the cylinders and weld on new mounts.

 

[DK35vince]

So you moved the pin location up on the bucket for the tilt cylinders?? Am I reading that right?? How much help did this gain?? Was the work worth the gain to tilt strength or would the 2 inch cylinders have been the way to go from the start?? I would like to keep as much money in my pocket as possible.

I just feel that the FEL is not as strong as it should be for the tractor.

Yes I did move the pin location up 3" on the bucket. It helped the power some, but not as much as I had hoped.
Adding 2" cylinders made the biggest differance.
I spent a lot of time drilling new bucket pin holes, making new linkage between the cylinders and bucket. Finding, welding and painting new roll back cylinders. But I finally got it to where I'm happy with the roll back power.

 

[mattman]

Ok thanks Vince for the info. I will increase the pressure a little to see how I like that. I thought the cylinders would be higher than that. I will check into the cylinder replacement.

 

[DK35vince]

Most cylinders are much higher priced.
I found these cylinders at Surplus Center a couple years ago, cheap. They needed altered to make them work, but they work good.

 

[Briscoe9]

"On your loader control valve, just above the joystick handle there is a screw with a jam nut. To adjust pressure, loosen the jam nut. Turning the screw clockwise increases pressure, conterclockwise decreases pressure. Once adjusted retighten jam nut"

Hey Vince- I have a DK35 with the same FEL also- and the same weak lifting power.
But I'm a bit lacking in tools & technique- how do you measure the pressure for the FEL, I assume, with a pressure gauge, but how do you do this and what type of gauge?

another question you might know the answer to.
just did my 200 hr maintenance, and replaced the hydraulic filter. seems odd that you remove the filter and have a bunch on hydo fluid running out. when I went to replace the fluid, it showed on the dip stick that it was still full. I'm wondering if I had an extra 2 gallons of fluid or am reading the dipstick incorrectly.

 

[DK35vince]

I got a hydraulic pressure gauge (0-5000 PSI) and the Male end for a quick coupler at Tractor Supply.
I unplug the hoses for my loader from their quick couplers and plug in the pressure gauge.
I then just run the loader joystick to check the pressure coming out.