16LA Loader Support Leg

[Notforhire]

I have a 16LA loader. I'm not impressed with the support leg design. When I bought the tractor the bracket that supports the leg was bent. I straightened it out, but I'm sure that won't last long. The leg itself seems OK. I could beef up the bracket. Hopefully that would solve the problem. Have any of you guys made improvements to this part of your loader.

Thanks, Bill

 

[jinman]

Bill, I have to agree that I thought the support was flimsy when I first bought my tractor, but through many on/off cycles, mine has held up fine. I don't have any real complaints except that it needs something on the ground to support the foot if you are not on concrete. I use a wood block or small round concrete stepping stone.

 

[RickB]

Generally the easiest way to bend the support or its mount is to shove the loader around while the leg is supporting it. if that can be avoided, they hold up just fine.

 

[Notforhire]

I wouldn't say that I mistreat the landing support in any way. I have no idea what the former owner may have done to bend the hinge bracket. Hopefully I can improve what I feel is a bad design. I would rather have it a little stronger than it needs to be, than have the leg collapse when someone is walking nearby. I have owned other loaders, all had better landing gear than this design.

 

[RickB]

I wouldn't say that I mistreat the landing support in any way. I have no idea what the former owner may have done to bend the hinge bracket. Hopefully I can improve what I feel is a bad design. I would rather have it a little stronger than it needs to be, than have the leg collapse when someone is walking nearby. I have owned other loaders, all had better landing gear than this design.

Nobody accused you of mistreating the equipment. The leg isn't going to collapse on its own unless it has prior damage that goes unaddressed. If it needs to be repaired, fix it.

 

[Notforhire]

If it needs to be repaired, fix it.

Good idea I'll do that.
Equipment can always be improved. I was just looking for ideas on how someone might have done that.
If you don't have any suggestions, that's fine.

 

[WM75Guy]

I had an easy solution to not having to take mine off and use the leg.
I convinced the wife to let me buy another tractor without a loader so I don't have to take the loader and arena drag off her's to mow around the trees.
Showed her the Boomer 8N, she said "That's cute, you ought to buy it" so I did.

 

[Notforhire]

I had an easy solution to not having to take mine off and use the leg.
I convinced the wife to let me buy another tractor without a loader so I don't have to take the loader and arena drag off her's to mow around the trees.
Showed her the Boomer 8N, she said "That's cute, you ought to buy it" so I did.

Now THAT is a good idea. No welding required.

 

[nickel plate]

Notforhire,
Please remember to post before and after photos if you decide to press on. I've only removed my 16LA once and in doing so I also thought the strut looked under strength and under angled for its intentions as when detached, the landing unit would flex when a small amount of downward force was applied to the docking arms. I know, "Don't push down on the docking arms" but I had to just to see if I was overreacting to the visual overall flimsiness of the strut.

 

[jinman]

I've added some photos just for discussion. The last photo is probably the most critical for ensuring the leg is not damaged. When you bring the arms down to relieve pressure on the pins for removal, you need to use the front lip of the bucket rather than keep your bucket curled all the way up. Using the front lip down will ensure the leg doesn't get overstressed in this step. Also, if you remove the loader with only the quick attach plate installed, you can extend it all the way out to keep from bending the leg while putting down pressure to pull the pins.

BTW: Ignore the post hole diggers in the photo. I was using them to demonstrate that the loader won't move around in another discussion.