14LA Loader "issue" found and fixed..

[CRC]

Just rolled over 150 hours on my TC33DA obtained almost exactly a year ago, and during the 150 hr oil change / inspection yesterday, I noted an issue on the 14LA FEL that if I would not have noted it, would have led to repairs. So here goes my experience if this hasn't been noted before by others on here.

The bucket of the 14LA FEL has this 'bucket level indicator' (however called) which is basically a rod with a V groove in it, which when the V is lined up in the bracket for this rod, it means the bucket is level for the 'dirt pile attack'.
The bracket itself is held with a U-bolt toward the top of the right side bucket swivel hydraulic cylinder. Some paint was worn off a bit, so I thought that the nut on the ubolt got loose, so when I was re-tightening it, I noted that because this ubolt got loose, this rod had inadvertently started to rub on one of the steel hydraulic tubes which cross the FEL in the 'rib support' closest to the bucket. This rubbing had already wore out some of the tube's wall thickness, and if left unchecked, the tube would have blew up there eventually, spewing oil all over the place.
I readjusted that u-bolt to prevent the rod from rubbing on that tube, and sprayed a little paint on the tube where it rubbed to prevent it from rusting.
I'll snap a few pictures and post them on here later so you can see what I found.
If you have a 14LA loader, check it out to make sure this issue hasn't occured on yours.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Nice preventive maintenance!
Bob

 

[daTeacha]

Thanks, I'll watch that on my Case!

 

[MikeBurr]

Well, I just had to go check mine and found the same thing. Not much wear, but it was rubbing.
The clamp was tight, so that shows the dealer set it up that way.
Now the fun begins. Moved the rod hole up a little - now rubs on the hydro rubber lines. Moved the rod down a little - as before, rubs on the hydro metal lines. Could not find a setting that would not rub on something. Moved the rod to the outside of the dump cyclender, could not see the indecator and while adjusting, the hole that the rod goes broke on one side(soft cheap metal).
So now the issue is removed and it will be a little harder to get a level bucket.
Just got my oil radator hoses fix, now a new problem. NH needs to do a little more All Together testing.....

 

[TractorDale]

Well, I ran right out and checked my indicator rod-it was too high...it was trying to pull the hydro hose out of the cylinder every time I dumped the bucket! I turned the holder around so the bolts are on the bottom of the cylinder now and the rod rubs the metal hydro line on the cross-member just a bit(rubber hoses safe). I tightened a few nylon ties around the metal line at the rub point to protect it.

Thanks for saving me a lot of trouble.

Dale

 

[Redneck_Randy]

I just noticed this morning with my 16LA. The level indicator was mounted on top of the hydraulic cylinder and the front hose was rubbing and has cause a very small amount of damage to the hose. Cords aren't even showing so I should be ok. I moved it to the botton of the cylinder and now there's plenty of clearance. I will let my dealer know and see if I can get him to replace the hose. They should since it a workmanship issue.

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[CRC]

Sorry for not having a picture posted yet, been busy on my 'day' job this week.
It looks like I won't need a picture after all, if y'all went and checked yours and found similar things, including this indicator rod rubbing on the hoses. I haven't driven mine since I readjusted it, so i'll keep an eye on my readjustment, including the rubber hose rub.

As someone mentionned, seems like a workmanship issue (or fit and finish..).

 

[wvrocks]

I noticed that mine was rubbing the hose too. I loosened both fittings on the hose and rotated the upper fitting so that the hose crosses over the mount for the level indicator. The hose used to run down the cylinder then cross the indicator. Now it crosses the indicator up high and runs parallel and inside of the indicator rod. No more rubbing in any position. I'm going to talk
to my dealer about getting the hose replaced as its worn down to the cords in less than 100 hrs.

 

[MikeBurr]

After trying mine in various positions on the right side, I cut my rod and turned the bottom 180 degrees. Then welded the rod back together and mounted it on the left side. Still rubs on on the side of the metal hose holders, but I'm going to try bending the rod a little to keep it from rubbing.