Floppy Bucket !

[TimP]

Hi All.

I have B3000 with an LA403 FEL.

It's a pin on bucket.

It seems to me that the bucket is "Floppy" or sloppy.

There is a lot of play in the bucket movement on the pins.

Wen I rock/shake the Bucket to empty it, the bucket seems almost loose.

Is this normal for the LA403? I had a B2150 with a LA305 FEL it was tight with no slop.

Thanks!

 

[Roadworthy]

Make sure the pin on latches are securely latched. Sometimes dirt will get into the latches to prevent them from being fully secured.

 

[Thomas]

Are the pins worn?

 

[TimP]

Make sure the pin on latches are securely latched. Sometimes dirt will get into the latches to prevent them from being fully secured.

Are the latches where the securing pins are located? One and the same?

 

[TimP]

Are the pins worn?

I have not given everything a real close inspection, but I may try to disassemble/remove the bucket and then rfeinstall it.

Maybe I can figure out if something is loose or worn.

The tractor had less than 300 hours on it when I bought it, but I think the previous owners used the FEL a lot.

The FEL is tweaked a little bit, so maybe the problem is related.

 

[Jchonline]

At only 300 hours I would be surprised if you actually have slop from wear. I agree check all pins and re-seat them first.

 

[TimP]

At only 300 hours I would be surprised if you actually have slop from wear. I agree check all pins and re-seat them first.

Thanks everyone for the list of things to check.

I now have another thing to add to my weekend project list !

 

[nyone]

Any pins that can be in dirt can get sloppy quick. This is why you grease them. Some floppyness is fine and can help clean out the bucket as you have seen.

 

[jmc]

Could it be a glitch in your hydraulics? I've got a low hour backhoe with a 4 in 1 loader bucket. Sometimes the "jaw" of the bucket just flops open 3 or 4 inches. No biggie- just close it again and it stays closed for awhile. But it almost has to be hydraulics in my case.

 

[TimP]

Any pins that can be in dirt can get sloppy quick. This is why you grease them. Some floppyness is fine and can help clean out the bucket as you have seen.

It was greased up when I first bought it, but I don't know how often the previous owner did maintenance.