Is my loader is piece of crap?

[Tractor Beam]

200 hours! Now I'm stunned.

You mean your main boom is loose, correct?

I suspect that the pivot in question never properly took grease, so it has
200 hours of dry operation. :-(

No, it's not loose at all. I just couldn't get grease in one of the zirks during one of the scheduled greasings. I replaced the zirk with a new one, still didn't take grease, so I thought that the bushing had rolled in the pivot, and took the pivot apart to learn that there are no insert bearings. I really leaned into the grease gun and finally got it to take the grease.

 

[Tractor Beam]

Unless the loader mounts are loose, you're probably seeing normal movement in the loader. Next time you drop your loader off, retorque the mounts and see if that helps.
However, this is a quick attach loader so it's not going to be as stout as a permanently attached loader. You've got to expect some movement.

I know. I had thought about just having the loader welded on permanantly, because I never remove it, but the truth is, I've put this loader through some real abuse, and if it were anything other than a John Deere, I believe it would have broke by now! It's just a bit unnerving hearing the loader squeaking away whenever I drive around without a load! The loader also moves a bit whenever you go to plunge into the ground.

 

[kennyd]

No, it's not loose at all. I just couldn't get grease in one of the zirks during one of the scheduled greasings. I replaced the zirk with a new one, still didn't take grease, so I thought that the bushing had rolled in the pivot, and took the pivot apart to learn that there are no insert bearings. I really leaned into the grease gun and finally got it to take the grease.

Sometimes the joint is under "pressure" and will not take grease, you have to reposition the loader (or whatever) to relieve that pressure. My front axle pivot is that way-if I don't lift the wheels of the ground I cannot grease it.

 

[RoyJackson]

I know. I had thought about just having the loader welded on permanantly, because I never remove it, but the truth is, I've put this loader through some real abuse...

Sounds like you should have bought a dedicated loader rather then a CUT with a QA loader...

I'd drop that loader and retorque those mounts. I wouldn't weld them.

 

[ddivinia]

I have a john deere 990 with a 430 loader. I noticed that all the pivot points are not insert bushed. I am aware that the pins are likely softer in material than the initial bushings themselves, but was surprised to see that the bushings were not replaceable. Is this typical?

I will have to look at mine. I have over 800 hour on my 5525 with a lot of loader work and I don't see any problems. Not sure I care if the bushings are replaceable, but that is a valid questions I guess.

D.

 

[Tractor Beam]

Sounds like you should have bought a dedicated loader rather then a CUT with a QA loader...

I'd drop that loader and retorque those mounts. I wouldn't weld them.

No, I'm not going to weld them. I'd just get something a bit more stout first. I totally understand that the 990 is a real cheap, low end entry level unit, and it does really well considering that. I just need to save up some money and get something a bit bigger, as I won't do payments. The next purchase, I'm going to be looking at the pivot points a bit harder though!

 

[Tractor Beam]

Sometimes the joint is under "pressure" and will not take grease, you have to reposition the loader (or whatever) to relieve that pressure. My front axle pivot is that way-if I don't lift the wheels of the ground I cannot grease it.

Thank you for the heads up Kenny! I'll try that next time, as it makes perfect sense. For the record, the 990 is a great machine, I'm not running it down at all. I really have done some incredible things with that 430 loader, that I believe would have broke other brand loaders. So I have no business complaining. I was just curious if the lack of bushings was common in you alls loaders or not. Sure seems like it wouldn't cost that much to put them in.

 

[vsumoski]

1000 rpm - made me laugh out loud. :laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[RoyJackson]

Thank you for the heads up Kenny! I'll try that next time, as it makes perfect sense. For the record, the 990 is a great machine, I'm not running it down at all. I really have done some incredible things with that 430 loader, that I believe would have broke other brand loaders. So I have no business complaining. I was just curious if the lack of bushings was common in you alls loaders or not. Sure seems like it wouldn't cost that much to put them in.

Then maybe you should consider what you write for a thread title... Sounds like you were expecting a 100K loader when you bought a super quality CUT.

I totally understand that the 990 is a real cheap, low end entry level unit, and it does really well considering that.

Huh? One post, it's a "real cheap, low end", next post it's "990 is a great machine".

Sounds like you're blaming the tractor for a bad choice during purchase.

 

[Barely Smokin']

I know. I had thought about just having the loader welded on permanantly, because I never remove it, but the truth is, I've put this loader through some real abuse, and if it were anything other than a John Deere, I believe it would have broke by now! It's just a bit unnerving hearing the loader squeaking away whenever I drive around without a load! The loader also moves a bit whenever you go to plunge into the ground.

Tractor, I'd love to help you out here, but I'm having a hard time following you on this. If the mounts are loose and squeaking, then replaceable bushings won't help you. If the loader has replaceable bushings and you don't grease them, then replaceable bushing won't matter either. And if you're maxing the loader out, which it sounds like you are, then a little tweakage is to be expected. In short, I'm curious why you feel somehow shortchanged on the whole deal.

I'd bet my next paycheck that I work my FEL harder than 90% here (mine is in commercial use) and I've got zero complaints. No slop at all in my bushings or the frame. That said, I'm realistic about the size of the tractor, too, and how much I paid for it.

Replaceable bushes or no, there's no substitute for religious greasing.