rk25 bucket not level

[Tater John]

The bucket on my rk25 is not level, never has been since delivered. I have talked to the local store tractor guy
but he can't tell me what they can do about it, just that it would be addressed at the 50 hr service. Anyone have
same problem and able to get it corrected? If so what was done to correct it? Anyone corrected this problem on
another tractor that might provide some insight into why the bucket is canted? My guess is about 2 inch
elevation difference from one side to the other. I don't expect millimeter precision but it's off enough to be annoying.
Thanks

 

[jeff9366]

The bucket on my rk25 has not been level since delivery.

Bucket elevation difference about 2 inches from one side to the other.

Correct tire inflation is the first thing to check. One under inflated tire, front or rear, often causes this problem.



Answers in the T-B-N ARCHIVE:

bucket not level site:tractorbynet.com



If culprit is not tire inflation correcting repair will be a test of RK's customer service.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Basically, you have to just loosen ALL the bolts holding the loader mounts to the frame. The tractor has to be on a flat level surface. Slowly work the loader a few inches off the ground, then back down so the bucket is level. Then tighten / torque all the bolts that were loosened.

Before anything else, check the tire pressure in all 4 tires. Make sure they are even pressure side to side.

There is a chance that the loader frame and / or loader arms got mis-manufactured out of spec.

 

[Tater John]

Basically, you have to just loosen ALL the bolts holding the loader mounts to the frame. The tractor has to be on a flat level surface. Slowly work the loader a few inches off the ground, then back down so the bucket is level. Then tighten / torque all the bolts that were loosened.

Before anything else, check the tire pressure in all 4 tires. Make sure they are even pressure side to side.

There is a chance that the loader frame and / or loader arms got mis-manufactured out of spec.

Thought I'd give an update to my situation. Been talking to RK shop mechanic, he said unlevel bucket is easy fix, and did mention loosening
various loader frame bolts as part of the process. I'll be taking the tractor to RK for 50 hr. service in about 2 months, and he said they would
take care of it then. Actually, they were going to send a man out to my place to see about it but I suggested to just wait till the 50 hr. service
to which they agreed. I'll try to remember to post an update after that visit and we'll see how it goes.

 

[agjones]

Thought I'd give an update to my situation. Been talking to RK shop mechanic, he said unlevel bucket is easy fix, and did mention loosening
various loader frame bolts as part of the process. I'll be taking the tractor to RK for 50 hr. service in about 2 months, and he said they would
take care of it then. Actually, they were going to send a man out to my place to see about it but I suggested to just wait till the 50 hr. service
to which they agreed. I'll try to remember to post an update after that visit and we'll see how it goes.

Thx for the update. Everybody else waiting for the mobile service guy appreciates your patience!

 

[DonRybak]

Tater John, were they able to correct the bucket issue. The 37's and 55's have that issue too. I only remember one 55 ever getting fixed but then it went back to being unlevel shortly after. The last couple years I have said many times that I was going to loosen all the mounting bolts, level the mount and then re-torque everything. But like most things I just never seem to get around to it.

 

[Tater John]

Tater John, were they able to correct the bucket issue. The 37's and 55's have that issue too. I only remember one 55 ever getting fixed but then it went back to being unlevel shortly after. The last couple years I have said many times that I was going to loosen all the mounting bolts, level the mount and then re-torque everything. But like most things I just never seem to get around to it.

DonRybak, the answer is No, I did not get the issue corrected. When they did the 50 hr. service the tech guy didn't really address the
unlevel bucket issue. I had a borrowed trailer and had to get the tractor back home and it wasn't addressed that day. Time was a factor. The service guy said it could be fixed by loosening and retightening the loader frame bolts, but it didn't get done that day. I don't have a level place on my property to properly place the tractor to do that, not a slab of concrete whatsoever. My barn floor is gravel and not level. I'm sure there are ways to accomplish this but frankly I have used the bucket very little as I have a 38 horse tractor with a bucket and use it. I just put a grapple on that RK25 and the unevenness is not so noticeable with that attachment on the front. The RK25 is used primarily for pulling a 6 foot finishing mower and for gardening with a disc and cultivators. The new grapple will probably bring in more uses. But no satisfaction on the unlevel bucket. Sorry for such a long read.

 

[DonRybak]

Thanks for the update even though it wasn't what I was hoping to hear. Have a great day..........

 

[sengli]

My tractor is a 55, but this FEL issue isnt new. There is a thread on here about this issue akready with a lot of no fix responses. When I talked with my local service guys, they basically knew nothing of this issue. They said they were going to help me fix the issue, but never actually did anything. My bobcat tractor I had before this never had something like this ever happen, and I used that bucket a lot.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I corrected the "out of level" bucket condition on two of my Kubota's by loosening and retightening the loader bolts.

I did it on a gravel driveway that wasn't completely level. I first loosened the bolts, curled the bucket so the cutting edge was facing down and then put a piece of 4X4 under it on the low side. I then put a bit of down pressure on the FEL and retightened. It was trial & error and I had to loosen & retighten the bolts several times before I got it right.

 

[Bull-NCR]

Overheard from Service Manager to MF owner: (sounds like he repeats these instructions often)

We have no common issues amongst our brands but if it's been like that since you bought it, bring it in, or you can diagnose it yourself and call for the fix. The customer asked how to diagnose it and he responded like a robot,

To diagnose an unlevel FEL

1. Make the tractor level. If needed park the tractor and mark the tire contact patches on the ground. Then use a square shovel to cut a 12" x 12" square on the high side until all 4 spots are level side to side, front to back and corner to corner. Use 12x12 pavers in the spots if you may want to check level on the tractor again in the future. (just check level of the pavers each time)

2. Make sure each tire is properly inflated. If your back tires are filled, move the tractor until the valve stem is at the top before checking. Do not use a digital or electronic pressure gauge, if you do, we will not buy you a new one.

3. Remove the bucket only.

4.Park the tractor so each tire is on a paver. You now know the tractor should be level.

5. Check level side to side on the ROPS, across the top of the FEL arms at the front of the tractor and finally, at the attachment points for the bucket. If all are level, then the bucket could be welded wrong, the attachment point or bucket is obstructed by something, tweaked or bent. If the 3 areas are off bubble the same amount, then it may be a tire or wheel or bearing issue. If the ROPS is level but the arms are off it could be the front tires or wheels, arms not seated or bolted correctly, FEL hydraulic piston(s) or the arms could be welded wrong, tweaked or bent. If the top of the arms and ROPS are in synch but the bucket attachment points are off then it could be the bucket attachment point is welded/installed wrong, obstructed by something so the bucket doesn't seat, FEL hydraulic piston(s) or the front arms welded wrong, tweaked or bent.

6. To check the hydraulic pistons, start the tractor, leave it at idle and raise the FEL arms about one foot and measure the length of the pistons from bolt center to bolt center. The top pistons should be the same and the lower pistons should be the same. Curl to bucket attachment halfway and raise the arms to about 4 feet and measure again. Raise and curl and measure a third time. At no time do you need to step under the bucket, nor should you. Safety first! If any of the measurements are off, call us.

7. Please let us know if you straightened it out or bring it in.

I don't know the outcome, but it sounded like he covered everything in about three minutes. I hope this helps someone.