Kubota front loader problem

70redbee · Jun 10, 2011

Hi All, I am new to the forum needing advise on a Kubota L3300 with a LA480 loader. When I attempt to lower the front bucket, it will not lower. It raises fine tilts and works great except lowering. If I curl the bucket while lowering, it will come down. I have removed and cleaned the control at the handle and it worked for a few minutes then back to the same problem. Can anyone help me. Thanks

whistlepig · Jun 10, 2011

Some times the quick disconnects will seem seated when they are not. This has happened to me. Enough to feel seated but not enough to allow flow. Try reconnecting the quick disconnects.

Dan W · Jun 11, 2011

Mr. 70
I had the exact issue when I first bought my new B7800 and it took me a while to figure that one out too. Next time that happens to you just take a quick look at your raise/lower 3 point hitch lever, it may be out of position. If you have it in the lift position, your loader will do exactly as you said. I couldn't understand why my loader was performing that way when I first bought my tractor but once my dealer told me the cause, it never happened to me again. Hope this helps you
Dan

J_J · Jun 11, 2011

If the FEL is getting fluid first after the pump, it is unlikely that the 3pt would affect anything. The 3pt is usually the last component in the fluid path. Now the FEL can affect the 3pt by using all the pump flow.

wdchyd · Jun 11, 2011

J_J said:
If the FEL is getting fluid first after the pump, it is unlikely that the 3pt would affect anything. The 3pt is usually the last component in the fluid path. Now the FEL can affect the 3pt by using all the pump flow.

I've seen it effect the FEL when the 3PH lever is in the "UP" position and the 3PH goes into full relief.......the FEL will not go down like normal cuz it needs to return through the 3PH.....

That being said, QC's not connected will do the same as the OP'r problem...

J_J · Jun 12, 2011

wdchyd said:
I've seen it effect the FEL when the 3PH lever is in the "UP" position and the 3PH goes into full relief.......the FEL will not go down like normal cuz it needs to return through the 3PH.....

That being said, QC's not connected will do the same as the OP'r problem...

My thoughts are that if the FEL is using all or most of the fluid, the 3pt will not get any or very little. If the 3pt is in the up position, any fluid the 3pt gets is bypassed to the reservoir or relieved. Any fluid used by the FEL valve with PB, is passed out the OUT port of the FEL valve to tank.

If fluid can not leave the 3pt valve, fast enough, back pressure could build up, and reflect back to the FEL valve.

I am not sure what the effect would be if the FEL valve only has an OUT/TANK port feeding the 3pt when in the up position. It would be how much fluid the bypass mode will let out to the tank.

If the QD's are blocked/unplugged, the relief should go off. The QD's could be partially blocked and slow things down.

I sure wished everyone would use a hyd gage. I believe it would help answer/solve about 50 % of the problems.

If you know what the pressure is supposed to be, and if it is not there, then you have a starting point for trouble shooting.

art · Jun 13, 2011

Go for your quick disconnects!

Ken · Jun 14, 2011

This may help your problem. on the front hydraulic block for the L2900 3300 3600 4200 series of Kubotas where the hoses for the FEL. attach Looking in the repair book there is a Note.( When the implement is not attached,turn slit on the spool end to the horizontal position fully.).
So when the FEL is attached the slit should be vertical and when removed the slit should be Horizontal. This is located just in front of the filter . wouldn't hurt to look and see if properly set.
ken

J_J · Jun 14, 2011

70redbee,

Does the FEL valve have PB?

He hasn't replied back, so he must have fixed it, or don't care.

It is just good manners to let everyone know how and if things got fixed.

Egon · Jun 14, 2011

I have removed and cleaned the control at the handle and it worked for a few minutes then back to the same problem

Maybe look at the control system again looking for wear or adjustment's that are required.

On my Kubota B7100 I wore out three sets of joystick controllers.

The Kubota B7100 HST didn't move the loader if the three point lever wasn't in the proper position.

wdchyd · Jun 14, 2011

I know my B2320 will do this same thing when I engage the 3PH to the max up setting......the FEL will not go down but will tilt the bucket....

70redbee · Jun 14, 2011

Thanks for all the replies so far guys. I have not been able to look at the tractor since I posted my question. I have to rely on my son to look at it because I broke my back and can't do much. As soon as I can look at it with him I will get back to everyone. Thanks again and sorry for the delayed response.

Egon · Jun 14, 2011

Oh my Goodness!

Hope all heals well and quickly for you.

Philmorley1 · Jun 14, 2011

Hi,
i have had the same problem before (yesterday) and agree that the 3 pt lever can affect the operation of the fel. i had removed the right fender of the tractor and eventually realized that with the fender removed i could move the 3pt lever higher than normal. i put it at mid level and symptom went away. try just dropping the level of the 3 pt lever. also try lowering using the float selection on the fel.
phil

J_J · Jun 14, 2011

If the restriction is caused by the 3pt, such as bypassing, it will still will cause the FEL to fall slowly because only so much fluid can go to tank through the bypass orifice. With the 3pt lever partially down, all the fluid can flow to tank unimpeded.

This may be the reason that some of you seem to have trouble with the FEL. By raising the 3pt lever up all the way, the fluid is relieving through a bypass circuit, and this may cause some back pressure, degrading the operation of the FEL.

J_J · Jun 14, 2011

70redbee said:
Thanks for all the replies so far guys. I have not been able to look at the tractor since I posted my question. I have to rely on my son to look at it because I broke my back and can't do much. As soon as I can look at it with him I will get back to everyone. Thanks again and sorry for the delayed response.

Sorry about your back, and I hope things get better for you.

Philmorley1 · Jun 14, 2011

J.J,
i dont know the specifics but i know how it affected me. trouble was it has happened before and i didnt know how it got fixed. this time it was more visible since the fender was off and i could see that i was moving the 3 pt lever farther than the follow through lever (for the lack of a better name) could move.
Phil

70redbee · Jun 17, 2011

Just wanted to let everyone know that I hope to get my son to look at the tractor this weekend....wish me luck with that. I'll let you know what we find. Again thanks to everyone for the replies,keep them coming if anyone has something new.

70redbee · Jun 24, 2011

I want to thank all you guys who helped me on my problem. You guys are the best. Well I got it taken care of. I checked all the quick disconnects and all the things you guys told me to check. The last thing I did was check the position of the 3 pt hitch lever. I moved it to the neutral position and now my tractor works like a new one. I feel pretty stupid but what the hey sometimes you just gotta say where was my head at...you guys don't need to tell me where it was...I figured it out. But again I want to thank all.

dex3361 · Jun 24, 2011

70redbee said:
I want to thank all you guys who helped me on my problem. You guys are the best. Well I got it taken care of. I checked all the quick disconnects and all the things you guys told me to check. The last thing I did was check the position of the 3 pt hitch lever. I moved it to the neutral position and now my tractor works like a new one. I feel pretty stupid but what the hey sometimes you just gotta say where was my head at...you guys don't need to tell me where it was...I figured it out. But again I want to thank all.

This is a good thing it was an easy fix and cost nothing. Hope your back heals fast.