bx22 tlb

[marknh000]

The frame of the loader on my bx22 seems to be distorted in some way. When I lower the bucket, one corner contacts the floor and the other is about 1/2" off. I sent it in to have the dealer look at it, but they were unable to figure it out. They told me they would contact Kubota to find out if anyoune else has had this problem. The tractor has about 30 hours on it, most of which was mowing and backhoe work.

 

[PTFarmer]

Several people have reported that checking the front tires for proper inflation pressure may remedy this problem

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Someone here in the past mentioned the need to have equal tire pressures on the front tires in order for the loader to set level with the ground.

I suggest you check you tire pressures and see what you find.

I know this helped someone else here in the past.

Bill in Pgh, PA

 

[marknh000]

Yes, I saw those posts, and tried it. I have a level concrete floor in the shed, and equal pressure in the tires. At first I thought one of the cylinders on the lift arms had come "unscrewed" inside, making one cylinder longer than the other. The dealer ruled that out. Is there a chance that the whole frame may have been welded out of square at the factory?

 

[Bird]

If the dealer couldn't figure it out, I'm sure I couldn't, but it seems to me that there are at least three possibilities: (1) frame welded out of square at the factory, as you said, (2) it's been warped since installation - possibly by picking up too heavy a load at just one end of the bucket, or (3) bolts tightened during installation without everything being level and straight - I think you'll find the installation manual calls for assembling it on a flat, level surface, but NOT to tighten any of the nuts and bolts until all are assembled.

That is, of course, assuming ALL 4 tires are properly inflated; not just the front ones.

 

[Egon]

Perhaps take note of Bird's observations. Park on the level and loosen up all the bolts holding the loader in place and see what happens.

Egon

 

[marknh000]

I'll take a look at it tonight. I never thought about checking the mounting brackets under the tractor. Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[Hoeman00]

The bucket could be TWISTED from lifting an
off center load or back dragging w/ lots of down
pressure.
The rear tire pressure will affect the loader not
the front because the front axle can pivot.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

HI Hoeman00 an all,

<font color=blue>The rear tire pressure will affect the loader not
the front because the front axle can pivot.</font color=blue>

Interesting observation...but I think incorrect. Even though the front axle pivots, both front and rear tires will have an effect on how the loader touches the ground.

That's the way it looks to me, for what that is worth! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bill in Pgh, PA

 

[Hoeman00]

Run the front tire onto a 4x4 on one side
and the bucket should still be level.
It will just raise the front end up 2".

 

[nitronut1]

Mine was level when I bought it, then I warped it as you described digging out a heavy boulder with a corner of the bucket (I learned from that one). I drove it around for a few weeks and it drove me nuts as it would not lay flat on the driveway.

I was able to straighten the bucket (and frame) by digging the other (opposite) corner of the bucket into the base of an old stump and lifting up in a few different curl positions. It now sits perfectly.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hoeman00 and all,

<font color=blue>Run the front tire onto a 4x4 on one side
and the bucket should still be level.
It will just raise the front end up 2".</font color=blue>

I believe that should certainly be true, since the frame of the tractor should not be shifted until the front axle reaches the front axle reaches the end of its pivot travel.

That being the case...here is the $64 question:

How can tire pressure on the FRONT have any effect on the level of the loader then?

People here have reported that it does, and that equalling pressure on the front tires of thier tractors, which had a non-level bucket to begin with, corrected the problem and the level was restored!

Suddenly what I accepted as fact does not add up any more! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

Anybody have the answer? Can front tire pressure really affect loader bucket level? If so, what actually causes that change to occur?

Very good point, hoeman00!

Bill in Pgh, PA

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I would think that since the loader is frame mounted and the front axle pivots that the front tires would have a lot less impact on bucket level than the rear tires. I think the rear tire height/inflation would have a definate impact on the bucket level.

Just my conclusion/opinion though. No hard data to back it up.

 

[paccorti]

Mark,

It is entirely possible that your bucket (not loader frame) is bent - at least that's what happened to me. Try measuring from your bucket pivot pins to the floor. See if the measurements are equal. If they are (or close) then your bucket is probably twisted. I straightened mine by pushing against a tree. Worked perfectly.

Good luck,

Peter

 

[marknh000]

Peter,
I don't think that's the problem. I first noticed it when I had the tractor parked in the shed with the loader extended out the door. As I lowered the bucket to the ground, it needed to travel maybe 2" lower than the level of the floor in the shed. The hydraulic cylinder on the right was fully retracted while the one on the left still had approximately 3/4" of travel remaining. When both cylinders are fully retracted, the whole frame "racks".
The dealer is picking it up today, and has schedualed a Kubota rep to take a look at it. I'll let you know what they say.

 

[marknh000]

I just got off the phone with the dealer. My loader has two different pistons on it. He told me that the factory makes changes sometimes due to price/ availability. At any rate, I'm relieved to know I didn't cause the damage.

The dealer also replaced a cylinder on the backhoe due to an interior scratch which was causing it to drift. No charge for pick-up and delivery either.

 

[manganos]

Glad you got it taken care of. You made me go out and test mine out