Loader Deere 3320 w/ 300CX loader that falls off

justwannafarm · Mar 2, 2013

I have a Deere 3320 with a 300CX loader. Everything was fine until one day last week when the left loader arm disconnected itself at the quick disconnect mount on the tractor. I saw what looked like excessive wearing on the mount itself on one side. Ever since then if I pick up a heavy load 600lbs or more and hit a few bumps along the way that arm will drop out of the mount and it's obviously a safety issue at that point. To get it back on I just follow the quick disconnect procedure by lifting the rotating levers, lowering the tractor and "pop" it goes back in, then I put the levers back down. When the left mount is on there is a larger gap than the right one and as load is added it appears the loader lifts slightly off the mount creating almost a 1/4 inch gap between the mount and the actual loader arm that attaches to it.

Is this a simple matter of replacing the loader mounts on the tractor? Or is it possible to bend those loader arms from an impact or too much use? Hoping someone has seen this before as I have a lot of loader work to do in the next few weeks.

Thanks,
Mike

tomd999 · Mar 2, 2013

Hiya,

Check the manual that came with the loader, you may have to adjust the lock adjuster bolts. I would also check the rest of the loader bolts and make sure they are torqued to proper specs. If in doubt, run by your dealer and talk to them.

Tom

Deere Dude · Mar 2, 2013

There may be two things wrong.
First I would make sure the leaf spring is latched and the big cap screw is tight against the mast pad. To do that, loosen the set screw holding the large cap screw and tighten it up and then reset the set screw.

I have heard of the mounts on the tractor the loader hooks to, were mounted on the wrong side of the tractor, thereby causing it to unhook. If this is a new set-up, I would check that.

If this loader has been working good for a long time, I would check the latch. If that is secure, I would find a picture and compare the mounts to the pictures.

justwannafarm · Mar 2, 2013

Everything is secure and it's a 7 year old tractor with about 1200 hours on it. The springs and latches are good even so to the point that I had to bring the bolt for that left side in prior being able to move it up and detach the loader. From what I'm seeing so far it appears the mounts are bent. The left side more than the other which is the one with the issue. Is this a common side effect if those are bent? It's part AW32469 from the illustrated parts list for the mountings. Has anyone else had to replace these?

justwannafarm · Mar 3, 2013

Do these look bet/ out of spec ?

Willl · Mar 3, 2013

With the levers in their locked position, lower FEL to point of lifting front wheels. This will create the largest gap possible between adjust bolts and loader frame.

Hold this position and tighten adjusting bolts till snug.

Return to op position and test loader. It should snug things up considerably.

GreatWhitehunter · Mar 4, 2013

Your loader mounts sound like they're on the wrong sides. Take a pic with the loader off the mounts. I had this happen when my machine was new. I had a load of dirt and the air and hit a bump. The loader frame on the left side bounced off the mount. And low and behold, the mounts were on the wrong side.

Matt

jd670 · Mar 4, 2013

That's excatly what happened to me. The mount arms were on the wrong side. It took about a week before mine popped off then it became a regular occurance everytime I had a load in the bucket. I checked the manual, corrected the problem and its been smooth sailing ever since.

CorporateOffRoader · Mar 6, 2013

Yep, my loader was installed by the dealer and I had the same issues. Took the loader off and after looking at the manual determined the masts were on the wrong sides. Amazing to me, the masts are not labeled right or left! After switching them I have not been able to replicate the problem since. Easy switch, just takes a big impact to get the bolts out.