FEL lever - shortened.

[psvines]

I cut 5 inches off of the FEL lever today; now much easier to get in or out from the right side.

BX2660.

Easy steps:
twist off the knob.
remove bolt holding plastic housing.
remove plastic housing and rubber boot.
remove two nuts attaching lever.
take lever to workbench vise for a clean cut.
reverse steps to reinstall.


Probably not necessary to remove the lever but it was easy enough.

 

[manonthehill]

Any pictures?

 

[Guywire]

I cut only 2" off of mine (NH TC-30) and it was a major improvement.

Are tractors supposed to be like horses and only mounted from the left?

 

[sw03]

I cut 5 inches off of the FEL lever today; now much easier to get in or out from the right side.

BX2660.

Easy steps:
twist off the knob.
remove bolt holding plastic housing.
remove plastic housing and rubber boot.
remove two nuts attaching lever.
take lever to workbench vise for a clean cut.
reverse steps to reinstall.


Probably not necessary to remove the lever but it was easy enough.

Hmmm.might have to try

 

[Chilly807]

I thought about shortening mine, then decided the longer lever was easier to use when I want finer control of the loader.

Chilly

 

[jimainiac]

Mega Dittos! When we got our L3830 in '04 that was one of the first modifications I made. I never used a loader before, but it just seemed longer than necessary, and like you said, it made it hard to mount from the right side. I do a lot of loader work moving snow around, and I've developed a method of gripping the handle by the shaft to stabilize it if I'm raising or lowering the bucket while underway, so as to not bounce the bucket.

 

[psvines]

Any pictures?

Initially I was only going to post the first picture...

 

[Bedlam]

Too bad these weren't designed with a tube within a tube so they could be adjusted to the liking.
Mine was too far out of the cab so I heated it and twisted it inward I thought I was the only person to find it not comfortable..

 

[thavil]

Initially I was only going to post the first picture...

That' what I'm talking about, a tractor that looks like it is actually being used!! Dirty tractors look better in pictures in my opinion!!

 

[jmc]

I cut mine off to accomodate the new, longer knob provided with the WR Long front hydraulic valve kit, but wished I had cut it shorter. Seems like every time I lean down to duck a limb, the knob almost pokes me in the eye. I might paint it red.

 

[manonthehill]

Initially I was only going to post the first picture...

Looks great. You seem to have it even with the wheel. That's what i"ll do.

 

[tom correa]

I had my new BX 25 delivered on Saturday and used it for about four hours. I just couldn't believe that the Kubota Dealer told me to never get on or off the right side of the tractor as you could hit the bucket lever in the process. I read this post Sat. night and went out to the garage and hacksawed 5 inches off the lever. Now I really love it and can get on and off without it being in the way. Took maybe 15 min. to accomplish. Can't understand why Kubota had to make the lever so dang long. For small people perhaps? Thanks all for the idea.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I cut mine off to accomodate the new, longer knob provided with the WR Long front hydraulic valve kit, but wished I had cut it shorter. Seems like every time I lean down to duck a limb, the knob almost pokes me in the eye. I might paint it red.

So a red knob won't poke you in the eye? How bad is almost poking in the eye? Spring better return soon, Im going crazy with no snow and no grass to mow!

 

[Czbilly]

I tried 2", then 3" and settled on around 4" after I remembered to put my coveralls on to get the winter feel. Now I jump off whichever side I need to get to. The several cuts were required in order to convince my wife that I was working untill the beer was gone. I think it took around 2 hours.

 

[ejnichol]

That long ars handle on the bx series is the stupidest looking thing on the machine. I've wanted to remove the entire assembly but didn't look simple and then when I needed my fel what would I do.

If the bx was a no expense spared design exercises I think it would have nice joy stick controller mounted on an seat arm rest like those pricey mini sized track excavators. Well it is nice to dream!

 

[melonhawg]

I shorten mine also. I too got tired of hitting it when getting on or off. Now I need to make a step. I saw someone around here make one and I'm thinking about doing it too.

 

[jimainiac]

I just wanted to mention that even after shortening the handle it's still dangerous, on our L3830, to hop off on the right side. I found out when my jacket hooked on to the handle and dumped a bucket full of manure in front of the gate I was getting off to open. Now I engage the lock before jumping off.

I think putting the loader control on the fender next to the seat is probably a better way to go. I've seen other tractors with it mounted there.

 

[jmc]

How bad is almost poking in the eye?

"Almost" as in warning shots. Eventually they find you!

 

[KeithInSpace]

That long ars handle on the bx series is the stupidest looking thing on the machine.

I concur. They seem a little extreme.

I've wanted to remove the entire assembly but didn't look simple and then when I needed my fel what would I do.

My "old fashioned" BX2230 has the FEL lever that leaves the tractor with the loader assembly. In this generation of tractor, I think the "option" was to have the stick stay with the tractor and my configuration was "standard".

The upside: No loader, no stick. Makes for a cleaner "lawn mower" when in that mode.

The downside(s): I have to turn my engine off to remove the FEL. And when putting the FEL back on the machine after a mow, the quick release fittings are has hot as the blazes. And if I ever want to get a hydraulic front blade or front mount snowblower, I need to figure a way to get my stick to stay on there or have an entire "secondary" stick assembly to use with those other implements.

But I don't have many of those problems yet. For the meantime, I'm enjoying my relatively short stick and the fact that it departs the tractor when I don't need it.

 

[oldballs]

I had my new BX 25 delivered on Saturday and used it for about four hours. I just couldn't believe that the Kubota Dealer told me to never get on or off the right side of the tractor as you could hit the bucket lever in the process. I read this post Sat. night and went out to the garage and hacksawed 5 inches off the lever. Now I really love it and can get on and off without it being in the way. Took maybe 15 min. to accomplish. Can't understand why Kubota had to make the lever so dang long. For small people perhaps? Thanks all for the idea.

Being new at owning such a tractor, I'm trying to adapt to using the FEL in loading heavy rocks/dirt and now a lot of snow. Being only 5'4'' and 142 lbs and 77 years old, I find the long lever okay. It allows me to keep my eye on the load and the lever if necessary. Getting on/off takes some foot work from that side; but being small makes it easier than bigger guys. I occassionally do catch my coveralls on the left controls when dismounting which kills the engine. But I'll bet Kubota has seen it all when it comes to accidents related to design etc.