Tipping/roll favor

[Kodiak45]

My dk40 always seems to favor the left side when picking up a decent weight with the loader/ forks. I've never had the pucker factor on the right side, it's always the left. Is this just me or are there others that have the same opinion on kioti? I need to check all the tires and confirm fluid levels in each, but I was just wondering if it was me.

 

[xcgreene]

I've never experience this on either of my DK45se HST tractors with the KL401 loader. These particular loaders are really top notch stuff in this size. Just compare them to what mahindra is using on a similarly sized tractor and you'll see what I'm on about.

Your boom cylinders are controlled by one spool valve that only has one inlet and outlet. After that valve, the line then T's off to service both cylinders. So the pressure will always be the same at both cylinders. However, flow can be different. If you are having balance problems you may have a restriction in a hard line fitting or hose that services the problem side cylinder. This restriction could cause a noticeable lag between cylinders. One would always be trying to catch up with the movement of the other cylinder. If you really feel there is a problem, it may be worth your time to uncouple your fittings on the lagging side and see if there is a restriction somewhere. Over crimped hose fitting, poorly machined hard line fitting, perhaps you have a pinched hose on the loader somewhere.

If the boom is ALWAYS lower on that side, or the cylinders stoke the same length but the loader is still lower on that side, I would say there is a problem with the frame or cylinder mechanically.

This is all assuming you are picking up an even load. It doesn't take much with a heavy load to skew your lift a bit.


Like you said too, checking your front tire pressures is a great first place to start.

 

[Kodiak45]

I've never experience this on either of my DK45se HST tractors with the KL401 loader. These particular loaders are really top notch stuff in this size. Just compare them to what mahindra is using on a similarly sized tractor and you'll see what I'm on about.

Your boom cylinders are controlled by one spool valve that only has one inlet and outlet. After that valve, the line then T's off to service both cylinders. So the pressure will always be the same at both cylinders. However, flow can be different. If you are having balance problems you may have a restriction in a hard line fitting or hose that services the problem side cylinder. This restriction could cause a noticeable lag between cylinders. One would always be trying to catch up with the movement of the other cylinder. If you really feel there is a problem, it may be worth your time to uncouple your fittings on the lagging side and see if there is a restriction somewhere. Over crimped hose fitting, poorly machined hard line fitting, perhaps you have a pinched hose on the loader somewhere.

If the boom is ALWAYS lower on that side, or the cylinders stoke the same length but the loader is still lower on that side, I would say there is a problem with the frame or cylinder mechanically.

This is all assuming you are picking up an even load. It doesn't take much with a heavy load to skew your lift a bit.


Like you said too, checking your front tire pressures is a great first place to start.

The boom is never lower on one side and I will say that every pucker factor I have experienced has been with the forks and picking up heavy pallets, totes, rigging equipment. I always notice the back right tire start slipping which leads into the pucker factor and then engaging 4wd. I wish I could have both rear tires lift off, but it always seems the right side wants to. I might engage positive traction to see if there is any slippage on left side.

 

[xcgreene]

The boom is never lower on one side and I will say that every pucker factor I have experienced has been with the forks and picking up heavy pallets, totes, rigging equipment. I always notice the back right tire start slipping which leads into the pucker factor and then engaging 4wd. I wish I could have both rear tires lift off, but it always seems the right side wants to. I might engage positive traction to see if there is any slippage on left side.

Maybe they accidentally only loaded your rear left tire? That's sort of what it sounds like after hearing this. Easy to check. That an your front left tire pressure.

 

[flingwing1969]

That would do it. Light in the loafers on the right rear.

 

[1stDeuce]

Just to correct something I've seen twice in this thread... One front tire being low will not cause a lean in the tractor, only in the front axle. Remember, the axle pivots freely until it hits the stops... Not like a car where there's some roll resistance. Having a low front tire only lowers the front of the tractor overall, it does not lean the whole tractor...

This also means that the front contributes NOTHING to stability until it is ON the stop. Basically, your tractor stability is akin to a 3-wheeler most of the time. Pick up something heavy with no rear ballast and you'll find this out in a hurry...

OP, I'd check fluid levels in the rear tires. If you can bleed air out with the valvestem at the top, then start rotating the tire to see where the fluid level is. I'd bet the right rear has less fluid in it. You could bleed some out of the left rear to equalize them, or add some to the right if you know what's in them. If you're lifting stuff that heavy, you'd be well advised to add some ballast to the 3ph too... That will take some weight off the front axle, which I'm sure it'll appreciate...

 

[Kodiak45]

Just to correct something I've seen twice in this thread... One front tire being low will not cause a lean in the tractor, only in the front axle. Remember, the axle pivots freely until it hits the stops... Not like a car where there's some roll resistance. Having a low front tire only lowers the front of the tractor overall, it does not lean the whole tractor...

This also means that the front contributes NOTHING to stability until it is ON the stop. Basically, your tractor stability is akin to a 3-wheeler most of the time. Pick up something heavy with no rear ballast and you'll find this out in a hurry...

OP, I'd check fluid levels in the rear tires. If you can bleed air out with the valvestem at the top, then start rotating the tire to see where the fluid level is. I'd bet the right rear has less fluid in it. You could bleed some out of the left rear to equalize them, or add some to the right if you know what's in them. If you're lifting stuff that heavy, you'd be well advised to add some ballast to the 3ph too... That will take some weight off the front axle, which I'm sure it'll appreciate...

Good call and observation. Yes, I have added some racks to my pulverizer(the main 3pt implement when doing loader work) that holds 4x100lb suitcase weights. I will never use the loader without at least something on the 3pt, as I have learned by trial, which is why I added the weight racks. I look forward to checking the liquid rear tire ballast to see how uneven they are.
Is there any decent benefit to liquid ballast in the front tires? When I bought the dk, the previous owner had liquid in the front tires and I've left it in there.

 

[xcgreene]

Good call and observation. Yes, I have added some racks to my pulverizer(the main 3pt implement when doing loader work) that holds 4x100lb suitcase weights. I will never use the loader without at least something on the 3pt, as I have learned by trial, which is why I added the weight racks. I look forward to checking the liquid rear tire ballast to see how uneven they are.
Is there any decent benefit to liquid ballast in the front tires? When I bought the dk, the previous owner had liquid in the front tires and I've left it in there.

Yup, 1stDeuce is def correct, laps in my judgement for sure. Sorry if I confused anyone here.

Ballast in the front is great for many situations. Helps keeps the nose down and safe with heavy items on the 3 pt hitch. I've got my fronts loaded mostly to assist with the logging winch as I pull trees out. I know most blueberry harvesting tractors have them loaded to counterbalance all the blueberry weight they carry in the back.

 

[ovrszd]

Just to correct something I've seen twice in this thread... One front tire being low will not cause a lean in the tractor, only in the front axle. Remember, the axle pivots freely until it hits the stops... Not like a car where there's some roll resistance. Having a low front tire only lowers the front of the tractor overall, it does not lean the whole tractor...

This also means that the front contributes NOTHING to stability until it is ON the stop. Basically, your tractor stability is akin to a 3-wheeler most of the time. Pick up something heavy with no rear ballast and you'll find this out in a hurry...

A very common misconception by many, some of which are long term tractor users. By the time the front axle oscillates enough to stop rollover the operator will have already abandoned any and all progress and simply be riding out the pending crash!!!!!

Good explanation. If read, and comprehended, very explanatory. :thumbsup:

 

[Msamt]

Mine has seemed to be lighter on one side only when there is no weight on the 3pth, I usually have the ballast barrel which is about 1000lbs. For the life of me I cannot remember which side it seemed lighter on, it usually scared me enough to stop what I was doing and go get the ballast on.