anyone ever have this happen

[GBeck]

I just bought a 1850 with the quick attach front end loader....anyway it came off ok, but when I went to put it back on the bracket that bolts onto the tractor that holds holds the arm for the loader somehow got bent.
as this was only the 3rd time that the front end loader was off the tractor, and I moved no heavy loads, I can't figure out how that arm got twisted? it doesn't appear to be a weak spot in a weld or anything and the service guy said that he has never seen anything like that before, so I was just wondering if something similar has happened to anyone else?

 

[Ductape]

Any possibility you can post a couple pics of the bent piece? Can't say i've heard of this happening.

 

[GBeck]

I'll take some pics tonight and get them posted int he am for you to look at..
thanks

 

[CHDinCT]

Wow - can't believe that mounting arm would bend too easily. No problems for me the few times I've had mine off and on. What were you doing when the loader was off? Any chance you hit an immovable object while the loader was off but didn't notice? Can the dealer bend it back? Otherwise and easy fix by bolting up another mount, expense aside.

 

[GBeck]

didn't hit anything moving, and re-read the manual the only I didn't that it suggested was have the FEL on concrete, I removed it on the dirt floor of the barn? would that have done it? and the piles of dirt I was moving shouldn't have done that...here's the pics tell me what you think..

the pic on the left is the worse one...the pin won't even go in to attempt to bend it back

 

[ampsucker]

my thought is that YOU didn't do anything, but whoever had the tractor before applied some serious lateral force out towards the front of the FEL and twisted the brackets. then, they either didn't realize they had done the damage, or he-manned the FEL loader back on with some heavy crowbars and put it up for sale eventually to be purchased by you. the geometry of the loader would probably have held them in place while mounted, but once removed, they sprang back to their sprung position.

not that anyone would do something like that.

depending on what other replies suggest, you might consider taking it to a good frame straightening shop to see if they can square it up for you. i would NOT apply any heat to the brackets unless as a complete last resort.

another option would be to remove the brackets and straighten them on an alignment bench. or order just the new brackets from the dealer.

amp

 

[GBeck]

that's the thing...I bought this brand new...so it would have to have happened at the dealership maybe when the sales guy was showing someone else how to remove the FEL....
I know when he was showing it to me, he was about 10 min putting it back on, but could that thick of metal just keep getting worse?

 

[ampsucker]

oh, sorry, thought from the pics the way the bracket was scratched up that maybe you had picked it up with a few hours on it.

when aligned correctly, the FEL should attached without special tools and take anywhere from a couple to no more than five minutes to attach. the only problem i've ever had is if dirt or something gets into the cradle that holds the lower mounting bracket, that will cause the upper holes not to line up correctly to easily slip the pin in with hardly any effort. usually it's dried on clay that drops down in there after the FEL is already off.

if it's new, should be covered under warranty. it could have been a shipping accident or factory defect or something like that. i don't recall ever seeing any other posts on this sort of thing happening, so the answer to your question is NO, the metal brackets should not continue getting worse and deforming under regular use. i regularly use mine up to the limits of lifting, curling (to the point the hydraulic pump bypass opens) and to push things to the limit of traction on hard clay in 4x4 with rear diff locked and have never had any type of frame damage.

hope that helps!

amp

 

[GBeck]

thanks for the quick replies...all the scratches are new thanks to the service guy (and I guess I helped ) trying for about an hour to get the dam thing on...

thanks again

 

[Tommy V]

I bought my BX24 new. I have done an extensive amount of work with my FEL and it is slightly tweaked. The loader is very easy to remove, the pins both slide out easily. Putting it back on is difficult. I always have trouble getting the left one aligned and the pin in. The right goes right in. I think it has to do with getting the tractor perfectly aligned with the loader when you are putting it back together. I know I am always off a little bit. I have found that if I get the left one in first the right is much easier to align. I would guess you have no problem, it is just how it works.