FEL problem

[pietu2]

I have a Westendorf TA26 loader in my JD 5055. Today when I was swapping from bucket to fork lift I noticed a weird issue: The cylinders that dip the bucket operate one at the time, left first then right. With attachment on the FEL seems to work fine with the only exception that the mechanical auto leveling is not functioning. In any case, when I extend the hydraulic cylinders without an attachment, the left cylinder will extend entirely before the right cylinder starts extending, and retraction happens similarly in the same order. What might be causing this problem?

 

[Willl]

One or both of your timing bar bolts are broken.

Timing bar is the bar between the 2 front pivot mounts.

(I'll see if I can find a pic of one)

 

[Willl]

Using JD parts for my loader, timing bar is #8 and alignment pins/bolts #9

 

[Zebrafive]

If there is not a timing bar, then the cylinder with the least resistance will move first and the other cylinder will not move until it's resistance equals the first. If you were to put a load on the left cylinder (such as put your foot against the bucket attachmnet) the right cylinder would extend first.

What is the problem with the mechanical self leveling? Being mechanical it's just linkages that adjust the bucket level as the boom is raised or lowered. They will not keep the bucket perfectly level. Engineers have to compromise when designing the linkages.

 

[pietu2]

Using JD parts for my loader, timing bar is #8 and alignment pins/bolts #9

Unfortunately Westendor FEL is built quite different. It does not have timing bar or anything else between the arms. Also, I don't see anything like the alignment bolts in your loader. I'll try to scan and post the pictures.

 

[pietu2]

If there is not a timing bar, then the cylinder with the least resistance will move first and the other cylinder will not move until it's resistance equals the first. If you were to put a load on the left cylinder (such as put your foot against the bucket attachmnet) the right cylinder would extend first.

OK - I don't have a timing bar so perhaps it is a cylinder issue then? What can I do about investigating and repairing it?

What is the problem with the mechanical self leveling? Being mechanical it's just linkages that adjust the bucket level as the boom is raised or lowered. They will not keep the bucket perfectly level. Engineers have to compromise when designing the linkages.

Actually this one used to keep the pallet forks leveled extremely well. Now the forks turn just as if there is no self leveling a all.

 

[pietu2]

Here is my loader:

 

[pietu2]

Just called Westendorf about this "issue". Apparently it is nothing unusual. They even sell a synchronizing bar that makes the issue go away. Interestingly, the person I spoke with could not explain why this phenomenon happens so infrequently, as most of the time in the past both pistons mowed at the same time. He suspected it might depend on how fast I try to move them. Anyway, I ordered the $75 bar just to make the implement changes easier. Case closed.

 

[Zebrafive]

I am at a loss as to why the self level quit. The link bars #2 push the triangle weldments #3 & #4 down as the loader boom raises. The dump/curl cylinders are attached to these weldments (#3 & #4) and the bucket/forks should pivot down staying level or close to level as the boom raises.

 

[pietu2]

I am at a loss as to why the self level quit. The link bars #2 push the triangle weldments #3 & #4 down as the loader boom raises. The dump/curl cylinders are attached to these weldments (#3 & #4) and the bucket/forks should pivot down staying level or close to level as the boom raises.

Good point. Did not even think about that. I was just happy to hear that my hydraulics work fine. I need to go and inspect that all the parts of the mechanical self leveling system seem OK.