New LS MT342 loader issues

[xrjohndeere]

I bought a new LS Mt342 hst open station. I have about 16 hours on it. I like the tractor but the hydraulics seem to be slow and the loader bucket roll back force weak. I have been moving dirt. When I drive into the dirt pile the bucket does not want to break out of the pile. I have run enough tractors over the years to know it is not right or LS has extremely over rated the loader capacities. I was barley able to lift a 2000 lb pallet off my trailer with my forks. It would not lift it and would barely roll back enough to get it off the trailer. With the tractor in neutral setting on a very slight incline the bucket roll back will not push the tractor backwards. I checked connections nothing there. Any suggestion before I take it to the dealer? Thanks for input.

 

[monkeyduster]

System pressure may need to be adjusted. Dealer should have a gauge to check this.

 

[seville009]

even though you are experienced, it’s always best to ask the obvious, so don’t take offense.....

you have your rpms up when doing the work?

You in low range when digging into the pile?

 

[xrjohndeere]

even though you are experienced, it痴 always best to ask the obvious, so don稚 take offense.....

you have your rpms up when doing the work?

You in low range when digging into the pile?

I tried rpm as high as it would rev. I contacted dealer Friday and Today. I am still waiting for a response. It concerns me that they did not have any mechanics available to talk about the issue. This was one of my concerns when buying the LS. They told me when I bought it they had 8 full time service mechanics and would always be available for trouble shooting. Will wait and see.

 

[Avenger]

I'd stay on them. Having 8 mechanics working in the shop is one thing, pulling one off a project to speak with a customer is another.
I am very curious about this issue. The LS MT3 series supposedly fixed the "sloppy bucket syndrome," but maybe did that by sacrificing curl ability? I know they went to a smaller diameter hose, but I dont think that would effect its ability to curl.

Are other new MT3 owners out there having similar issues?

 

[PCABE5]

The ridiculously small hydraulic system on the loader is going to make it slow. Only so much oil can flow through 1/4" QD's, hoses, and line's. Way to small for a tractor this size. 1/4" is only rated for approximately 3 GPM and your tractor puts out about 7.5 GPM so it's seriously under sized and frankly not recommended.

I'd put a pressure gauge in one of your QD's and see if your close to the 2466 PSI. The loader should lift 2600 at the pins to full height and you know that the further forward you get with the load, the less capacity.

 

[Avenger]

Have you put your pressure gauge on your machine yet, PCABE5?
Are you experiencing the same issue as xrjohndeere?

 

[PCABE5]

I haven't put a gauge on mine but I haven't experienced that issue. Loader is slower and I do have that but everyone will.

I've been meaning to put my flow meter on so when I do I can throw a pressure gauge on at the same time.

Only issue I've had so far is i had two of the four left front cab bolts missing. Dealer sent me two so all good.

 

[xrjohndeere]

I have not received a call back from dealer. I am going to go to dealer in person. I have been in covid jail the passed few days waiting for test results. I agree with the hoses being too small. I have been moving a lot of dirt and the floppy bucket syndrome happens a lot. If this is just how it is with these tractors I may replace all my loader lines to 3/8 and upgrade to hydraulic pump. Then again I may just leave it factory and trade it off. I will keep you posted on what I find.

 

[ptsg]

Are the 1/4" hoses only from the hard lines to the cylinders or also from the loader valve to the hard lines?

If the 1/4" hoses are just from the hard lines to the cylinders, it won't make any difference increasing the size. They use 1/4" hoses because the flow is split between the two cylinders, so the one line will never see full flow.

 

[PCABE5]

It's 1/4" from the quick connect to the cylinder. So couplers, hardlines, and hoses.

 

[xrjohndeere]

I stopped by the dealer today. He had another tractor like mine on the lot. He showed me how to turn up the pressure. I think he has seen this before. As for the floppy bucket he said the only way to stop that is to put a restrictor in the loader line that dumps the bucket. Basically with a load the bucket dumps faster than the fluid can flow. I had floppy buckets on my other tractors so this is not a big issue to me. I turned up the pressure. I will see how much of a difference it makes tomorrow. Would changing the hydraulic lines to 3/8 make much difference? Would it increase speed? Would it reduce lift capacity?

 

[PCABE5]

You didn't say, but I hope you used a pressure gauge when you adjusted the pressure. Doesn't take much to make a big change. Should be at 2500 PSI.

Changing over to a 3/8" system can get pricey in a hurry. I'd hate to see what the hardlines cost. Also changing over will help with speed only. It won't change capacity as cylinders and pressures would be the same.

 

[PCABE5]

I was barley able to lift a 2000 lb pallet off my trailer with my forks. It would not lift it and would barely roll back enough to get it off the trailer. .

I was kinda thinking about this today.

The loader has a spec of 2680 lbs at the pivot pins. Sort of a useless number cause nothing is looking lifted from there. So this is what I'm guessing here.

2680 (Minus bucket or pallet fork weight)

Let's say that brings it down to 2400. Now move the load forward of the pivot pins 500mm and now you're down to say 2250.

Now if your pallet forks weigh more than the bucket the weight goes down. Also if the weight of the pallet is farther ahead of the pivot pins than 500mm your weight capacity goes down again..

Just a guess, but I'd say it will probably lift somewhere between 1600-1800lbs to full height in the setup you were using.

 

[xrjohndeere]

Turned it up like he showed me. Really did not change a lot. I am going get a pressure gauge and check. I may just be expecting too much. As for the lift with the forks I agree. They should rate this tractors with a specific size bucket full of weight. Would be easier to get a feel for true lift capacity. Another question I have is why does the Hydro pedal not return to its neutral position. You have to let off and push the other pedal in to get it back to neutral. This is open station so it is not a servo pedal. I have to say after using the tractor for about 22 hours I am not impressed with LS hydro tranny.

 

[Bearsixty7]

...Another question I have is why does the Hydro pedal not return to its neutral position. You have to let off and push the other pedal in to get it back to neutral.

That is not right. Either the shaft they are mounted to needs grease if there's a zerk or otherwise some oil. Another possibility is a spring as come off.

 

[PCABE5]

I had the pedal return issue on my old tractor. Seemed that when it was cold it wouldn't return but once it was warmed up it was fine. If I recall it wasn't a linkage issue perse but certainly was annoying.

 

[JCoastie]

agreed, something not right if the pedal does not return. Mine will actually skid the tires if I take my foot off the pedal.
I do believe I have noticed a slow down in forward speed with the pedal maxed though. i.e. it was faster on hour 1 than it is at hour 50. Like something needs to be adjusted (MT240HE)

 

[xrjohndeere]

I will have to look into it when I get a chance. If I let off the pedal it will slightly start to return but continue to roll until I hit brake or push the other pedal in to stop it. Going down a slight hill it will not stop at all. Definitely will not skid the tires. It does this cold or warm after using for a hour. No difference.

 

[Bearsixty7]

agreed, something not right if the pedal does not return. Mine will actually skid the tires if I take my foot off the pedal.
I do believe I have noticed a slow down in forward speed with the pedal maxed though. i.e. it was faster on hour 1 than it is at hour 50. Like something needs to be adjusted (MT240HE)

I have read posts with similar issues. There is a roll pin that works it's way out and the pedal linkage connection on the shaft just becomes a friction fitting and will slip. Hope that makes sense.