Loader Joystick lock on KL 401 loader on DK40 SE HST Tractor

[Lawnmasters]

I have taken my loader off and put it back on several times. This time I've had it off for a few months. Today I was trying to put it back on and the joystick is locked preventing it from up or down motion. There is a small L shaped "tab" or "lever" just under the joystick boot that I assume is a lock to keep the loader from being raised or lowered.
My problem is that I can't get it unlocked. The tab or lever will not move in out or left or right. I am assuming it's stuck. So before I totally destroy it I poured some oil down the boot to hopefully let it lub up the areas where it slides. Tomorrow I will try again.
My question is: is that lever a lock, as I am assuming. And how does it work? slide in and out, or push left to right?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Billrog]

Be sure the lever just isn't in float position it can be very stiff to take it out of float. The lock to unlock would slide straight out.

 

[Lawnmasters]

Thanks for the info, I'll go check that now. This is frustrating. I've had the thing on and off several times and never no problems. Also, I lost the code for which hoses go first, second, third and fourth. Anyone know this?

 

[Lawnmasters]

I checked the joystick, it's in the neutral position. And the lock is frozen, I can't get it to move in or out. I've hit it with hammer, pulled on it with big pliers, it ain't moving. So I've got a little oil soaking on it maybe that will free it up. Anybody else have any ideas?

 

[xcgreene]

I checked the joystick, it's in the neutral position. And the lock is frozen, I can't get it to move in or out. I've hit it with hammer, pulled on it with big pliers, it ain't moving. So I've got a little oil soaking on it maybe that will free it up. Anybody else have any ideas?

Mine was like this. You may have already tried this, but try to move your stick around in a slow small circle while you pull out on the lock (assuming its pushed in). I remember putting the fear of god in mine wondering why it was stuck so tight, then i found the sweet spot in stick position where it would just pull right out.

 

[Lawnmasters]

Mine was like this. You may have already tried this, but try to move your stick around in a slow small circle while you pull out on the lock (assuming its pushed in). I remember putting the fear of god in mine wondering why it was stuck so tight, then i found the sweet spot in stick position where it would just pull right out.

Thanks for the tip, I will try that. I think I have already tried some version of it. I have moved it back and forth and up and down. I'll try using the circular pattern. These things like this are so aggavating! I hope I don't have to replace the whole valve assembly. I think it's just gotten seized up while I had the loader off.

 

[xcgreene]

Thanks for the tip, I will try that. I think I have already tried some version of it. I have moved it back and forth and up and down. I'll try using the circular pattern. These things like this are so aggavating! I hope I don't have to replace the whole valve assembly. I think it's just gotten seized up while I had the loader off.

I find that mine "unlocks" between two functions, not just to one side or the other, forward or back. Which is why I thought going in a circle may help find where the sweet spot is for yours. Keep in mind, I only move the stick slightly in a direction, not all the way to release.

 

[Lawnmasters]

Well, I figured it out. For some reason it was just stuck a little. I messed with that thing for hours and finally in frustration just grabbed the joystick and pushed back hard. "POP", it started working in the up or down position. Thanks for your answers!

 

[xcgreene]

Well, I figured it out. For some reason it was just stuck a little. I messed with that thing for hours and finally in frustration just grabbed the joystick and pushed back hard. "POP", it started working in the up or down position. Thanks for your answers!

It's little problems like this that drive me the most insane. Glad it worked out. Ill be looking for a way to grease the lock in tip today because of this.