Loader 3800 FEL trouble!

[freddvm]

I have a 2011 Kubota 3800 with a LA524 Loader. I was moving some brush and fallen trees with my grapple today. I noticed that the Qucik attach locking arm on the left side had moved into the unlock position. I stopped the tractor and noted that the left side of the grapple had slid out of the FEL mounting position. I check and nothing was bent or obviously broken. I disconnected the grapple on the right side and detached the lines to the grapple. When I tried to reattach the grapple I found that the right side of the FEL mounting plate was moving not in synch with the left side (the rolling of the FEL is not in synch, up and down is fine). The right side moves further than the left side preventing me from being able to attach the grapple as I cannot get the left and right to roll down in synch.

So I left the grapple in the woods and returned to the barn. On my return the tractor seemed to be struggling and HST making a little more noise than normal. The main hydraulic level was a little low (but still could see fluid in the glass abotu 1/4 way up) so I filled it to the correct level.

Did I Break the FEL?

Nothing looks obviously bent and could find no hydraulic flluid leak.

Thanks for your help and advice!!

 

[KennyV]

Sounds like you have twisted the quick attach adapter on the front of the loader.
Is it a skid steer adapter?
You May be able to twist it back by placing the quick attach pads flat on the ground push down to raise the front of your tractor....

Is there a torque tube connecting the left & right attachment pads on that quick connect...?
KennyV

 

[freddvm]

Thanks Kenny! It is a skid steer quick attach loader but the sides look totally parallel so I dont think one is bent.

I went back out and looked at it a little closer. when I initiate the roll from the joystick the right side responds right away and rolls away. After a couple of inches of movement on the right arm the left arem starts to move. It seems that the left is slow in responding to the command.

Since the two arms are connected by the lower beam could the left just be moving on input from the right side? I am thinking that the left cylinder is not functioning correctly. If this cylinder was broken would it passivly move if the other side was working correctly?

I did try fully retacting and exending a few times but still no change.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[KennyV]

There is nothing wrong with either cylinder... the problem is you have sprung it out of true... post a picture of it and it will be easy to spot the beam or torque tube that connects the left and right side... This is a structural twist and you are not going to 'see' the tweak...
If it is a mild twist, you can twist it back exactly the same way it got twisted to begin with...

You will have to chain the right side pad so it will not move ... and then carefully roll it to allow the left side to advance farther than the right... This will twist the quick attach structural assembly back to true...

This happens with quick attach adapters when someone uses them without an attachment, such as lifting something with the torque tube... OR as happened with you and one side got out of the attachment. That attachment frame is all that holds everything square.... KennyV

 

[powerstroke444e]

Odds are its sprung no big deal sprung mine year ago. And just have to roll it all way back hard to get to set so I can hook the left side.

 

[freddvm]

Hi Kenny,
You were right on! I chained the right side and rolled forward until both sides were even and it works great. Got the grapple hooked back up and I am back to work!

Thanks for the advice. Saved me a trip to the dealer. I love this forum!