FEL Control Lever Thingy

[Jay4200]

Stupid question, but I an reveling in my ignorance:

My LA680 FEL control has a flip-down piece of slotted metal right at the bottom of the lever. What's that thing do? I've always wondered if it is useful in some way...

JayC

 

[Reg]

It is a guard.
It is meant to help you NOT put the lever there by accident or inattention.
Of course, you have to be attentive enough to leave it in the blocking position (-:

 

[Jay4200]

It is a guard.
It is meant to help you NOT put the lever there by accident or inattention.
Of course, you have to be attentive enough to leave it in the blocking position (-:

Sure, but it doesn't seem to prevent anything. I originally thought that it prevented the bucket from being dropped, as a safety measure. However, I seem to remember doing an experiment once, but it didn't prevent the bucket from dropping. I don't remember if it was a power down or float though - maybe it prevents the bucket from going into float?

JayC

 

[radioman]

I have the same thing on my BX. Its to prevent the FEL from being used. It will not prevent leak downs due to leaky valve or seals. I use it when I take the FEL off to prevent accidental deadheading. Another use would if I have the FEL in the air for any reason and I need to get off the tractor, I flip the lever for safety.

 

[JTPass]

I believe it is to be used when you are removing and installing the loader to the tractor. If it is what I am thinking, it is put down so that the control lever is in the slot. That way the loader will only operate very slowly to aid in removing and installing. I had an older L2550 with the same thing and that is what it was for on that tractor. It will prevent you from abrupt movements of the loader.

 

[brandoro]

Something similar is on my current tractor and on the B7610 I had before. When I asked the dealer about it he said it was to prevent accidental movement of the joystick. He mentioned a "for instance". A customer was transporting the tractor, as fast as it would go under its own power, and had his som riding along, the son bumped or grabbed the joystick and dropped the bucket to the ground. They were both bruised up some and significant damage done to the FEL bucket and arms. Could have been worse, nothing that money couldn't fix.
In case you feel too safe when you have the joystick locked, the lock only prevents accidental movement of the joystick, it will not prevent the FEL from falling on you in the event of a burst hose or other similar event.

 

[Reg]

I only looked at it a long time ago when test playing, it seemed like a fair idea at the time.
For whatever all other reasons I didn't buy that loader or the tractor that it was on.
I think I've seen something similar on the smaller Kubotas as well.

I do NOT remember which function it inhibited, slowed, or it might even have locked the lever into.

 

[Jay4200]

I have the same thing on my BX. Its to prevent the FEL from being used. It will not prevent leak downs due to leaky valve or seals. I use it when I take the FEL off to prevent accidental deadheading. Another use would if I have the FEL in the air for any reason and I need to get off the tractor, I flip the lever for safety.

Have you tried pushing the control lever forward with the thingy flipped down? My control still engages the 'down' position, and the bucket still drops, so no safety feature there...

JayC

 

[radioman]

my BX FEL doesnt move once I flip lock to right.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Pretty certain it's to keep the FEL thingy from being used accidentally or on purpose. That's what dealer told me and I believe him. I do transport my Grands from time to time and would lock it if I didn't want them moving the FEL.