FEL stuck

[ChrisC]

The bucket on my Kubota B2910 is stuck. I can't lower or raise it. I can rotate the bucket (as if to empty it). I've taken the cover off the controller and I can't see anything out of the ordinary.

I've removed and reseated the hoses. Made sure the connections were clean.

Any suggestions on how to proceed?

Bonus question – it's going to snow again very soon. Is there a way I can raise the bucket temporarily so that I can use the tractor for plowing? I have a rear implement I use, so just getting the bucket off the ground would work for the time being.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[ChrisC]

BTW, bucket itself rolls fine and rear lifters work fine.

 

[RayIN]

Are you positive the hoses are attached properly, and fully seated?

 

[dieselscout80]

Check your couplers.

You could try moving your curl couplers to the boom lift and see if now the curl quits working.

After the swap if they both work fine then you didn’t have your couplers connected properly.

After swapping if the curl now doesn’t work then you have issues with that one circuit.

 

[CH4Ohio]

The bucket on my Kubota B2910 is stuck. I can't lower or raise it. I can rotate the bucket (as if to empty it). I've taken the cover off the controller and I can't see anything out of the ordinary.

I've removed and reseated the hoses. Made sure the connections were clean.

Any suggestions on how to proceed?

Bonus question – it's going to snow again very soon. Is there a way I can raise the bucket temporarily so that I can use the tractor for plowing? I have a rear implement I use, so just getting the bucket off the ground would work for the time being.

Thanks,
Chris

Did you have the hoses disconnected or the loader off the tractor before this happened? It's pretty easy to get the hoses mixed up and very confusing when trying to figure out what goes where if they're not marked exactly right. Trying to understand when and why this problem started so we can help you figure it out.

 

[dicktill]

The bucket on my Kubota B2910 is stuck. I can't lower or raise it. I can rotate the bucket (as if to empty it). I've taken the cover off the controller and I can't see anything out of the ordinary.

I've removed and reseated the hoses. Made sure the connections were clean.

Any suggestions on how to proceed?

Bonus question – it's going to snow again very soon. Is there a way I can raise the bucket temporarily so that I can use the tractor for plowing? I have a rear implement I use, so just getting the bucket off the ground would work for the time being.

Thanks,
Chris

May or may not be related, but "you have a screw loose" in you first picture. I would suggest flushing/wiping the surfaces around it before you retighten.

 

[dodge man]

Quick connects can go bad too. I agree switch hoses and see if the problem moves to the curl circuit.

 

[ChrisC]

Are you positive the hoses are attached properly, and fully seated?

I disconnected, cleaned and reconnected each of the 4 hoses. Did it more than once

 

[ChrisC]

Did you have the hoses disconnected or the loader off the tractor before this happened? It's pretty easy to get the hoses mixed up and very confusing when trying to figure out what goes where if they're not marked exactly right. Trying to understand when and why this problem started so we can help you figure it out.

No, I was using the bucket to move some snow.

Tried to lift the bucket and it wouldn't move. It feels like the controller is jammed.

 

[ChrisC]

May or may not be related, but "you have a screw loose" in you first picture. I would suggest flushing/wiping the surfaces around it before you retighten.

Thanks Randy - good eye! I was preparing to take it all apart, but thought I'd post a question here before diving in.

And yes, will thoroughly clean before reassembling

 

[ChrisC]

Let me add that it feels like the controller is jammed. I can't move the lever up to lift the FEL. I'll continue to check the hoses/connections but wonder if it could be something else physical in the mechanism.

 

[CH4Ohio]

Let me add that it feels like the controller is jammed. I can't move the lever up to lift the FEL. I'll continue to check the hoses/connections but wonder if it could be something else physical in the mechanism.

There’s a brass colored safety block that’s hinged and keeps the joystick from moving up. It’s so obvious that you couldn’t miss it, but I have to mention anyway.

And … the lever would go DOWN to lift the bucket. Not up. Right?

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Tried to lift the bucket and it wouldn't move. It feels like the controller is jammed.

Let me add that it feels like the controller is jammed. I can't move the lever up to lift the FEL. I'll continue to check the hoses/connections but wonder if it could be something else physical in the mechanism.

My loaders all have a mechanical lock. Not that I've ever used that feature, but maybe you accidentally locked yours?

 

[dieselscout80]

If the joystick is NOT moving then you have a mechanical problem. See if you can get all the linkage exposed and inspect it.

 

[dstriplett]

I had a similar issue on my LS once upon a time. It was nothing more than a loose connection where the loader stick was loose from it's mount.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

I had a Cub Cadet with similar symptoms. It was the linkage/...every time.

 

[dieselscout80]

Last year my TC45DA with a 250TL loader stopped lowering unless I used the float position which is a bit scary when using it to unload from my truck.

Switched the hoses/couplers so the boom lift circuit was on the curl cylinders and the issue followed in that after the switch the curl cylinders had the issue.

I had to replace my loader valve.

Point being there are many things that can go wrong (referencing ideas others have posted too).

Check the little/least costly things first and then move up till it’s fixed.

 

[LowellBen]

I don't have any insight on how your mechanical linkages are done. On my Mahindra, the controls utilize ball (Heim) joints. Occasionally one will start sticking and I have to shoot some penetrating lube into the area. It has happened several times with the BH outrigger controls and once with the joystick control. The control lever(s) would get frozen in the neutral position.

 

[true temper]

I can’t believe no one has noticed that the valve is in float position.
To get it out just pull down hard on the control valve handle.
In rare instances I have seen the detent get rusted up a making it very hard to work. Then you need to remove the cap on the bottom of the spool and clean it up.