4310/430 loader...dang the slop

[YesDeere]

I know its been dicussed but hear me out. I purchased this tractor from my Father who was the second owner. Some damage. Problem is that no matter how I adjust the mounts/base I still have movement/slop. Ordered a new mount for the Left side because it seemed tweaked. When I went to put it on it was for opposite side. oh well (this was tonight). So while I was at it I welded and shaped the wear points. Still sloppy. How to Adjust?? The holes on the stock mounts are larger than the bolt so it can be moved. I noticed on the new/wrong one that the holes are sized for the bolt.WTH. Anyway should I deal with it or can it be fixed? Thanks for any input. Oh by the way I at least finally sized my chains and put them on. Very nice. Now no more snow!!!:thumbsup:

 

[YesDeere]

Pics of my debacle

 

[YesDeere]

Just to clarify, after I removed the mount I got to thinking that the tweak was a figment of my imagination.

 

[AKfish]

Definitely have total coverage with your chains - front and back!!! :thumbsup:

National News tonight said the East Coast is in the middle of the 3rd major storm since Christmas. Maybe you'll be using those chains - real soon..

Really hard to tell from the pics if you've got serious wear on the mount/mounts or not. I could not see anything that was really bad.

AKfish

 

[JD755]

Clearly the bolt hole size is a problem, but thought I would just ask if this is one of the models where a lot of people have found the left and right mounts are on the wrong side. Your comment about receiving the wrong mount made me think of that. In those cases a subtle difference allows them to be installed wrong and leaves the loader slightly loose.

 

[kennyd]

JD755: This is not one of those loaders, that is/was the 300cx on the newer 3x20 series.

YD: How much "slop" is really there? Some is acceptable and even needed to allow removal of the loader. JD did/does sell a shim kit that is tack welded to the loader mount to closes the gap a little, there are some older threads about this.

 

[JD755]

Thanks Kenny. I remembered it being discussed on the 3x20, but didn't know if it might apply to any other models.

 

[Zebrafive]

Are the bolt holes a problem in that you can not tighten the bolts enought to keep the bracket from moving? Would it be possible to put thick washers under the bolts and then tack weld them to the bracket after you have it where you want it?

 

[YesDeere]

Kenny, there is about two inches of slop side to side. Thought that I read they were adjustable to take this out. But tried to rotate and it didn't help. Now looking at the new one the bolt holes leave no room for adjustment. I can live with it. Just wondering if anyone had run into this. It has just over 500 hours and is not that worn.

 

[beenthere]

The adjustment is in the lower arms that attach to the weight bracket, I'm pretty sure.

Check out the installation manual that tells how to adjust those arms. Lengthening them will rotate tighter around the square stub mounts. See second pic showing the slop I'm speaking to.

I don't understand the 2" side to side slop mentioned.

 

[YesDeere]

Thanks beenthere. The movement is side to side when you grab the top loader arm and shake it. Can't stand to see it move like that when I'm driving.

 

[beenthere]

Then I'd suggest trying to loosen the two bolts on both sides of the arms to the front weight bracket and stretching them out to rotate tighter around the mounts.
Do you see where they are at?
It is an adjustment that the dealer sometimes doesn't get done (low paid assemblers likely or salesmen likely ).

 

[YesDeere]

Ok. Thank you. Will try that this evening.

 

[dfkrug]

The adjustment is in the lower arms that attach to the weight bracket, I'm pretty sure.

I think you mean these bolts ("loosen these" in photo). You can get a bit
of rotation that will help a bit, but that FEL is really sloppy.

My 420 was sloppy, too, and I built up the worn areas by welding, rather
than using a shim kit. I made mine pretty tight, with no clearance, requiring
that I lift up a bit with a jack ("lift here") to get the FEL back on. To
secure the hinged forward section, I added bolts ("add these").

I now have another 420 that is much worse. This spring I plan to make
the same repairs to it.

 

[beenthere]

dfkrug
Yes, those bolts are the adjustment bolts. They are slotted and adding length will rotate the mast further around the mounts to make it tighter. Might be hard to break loose if bolted for awhile.

I've not seen any wear on the mounts in 11 years on my 430 FEL mounted on Deere 4300.

Thanks for posting the pic.