Kubota FEL questions

gmason · Jan 22, 2001

Are other tractors’ brands FEL similar to Kubota’s? Specifically, the top rounded lip. I’ve used mine on my b2400 for 2 years now and there have been so many occasions hat I need to “hook” something to the loader and all I found was the top lip. And of course the metal there is not up to carrying anything too heavy. Shouldn’t the top lip be beefed-up to at least as the sides? I’m all but ready to take ¼” bar steel and make it stiffer. While I’m asking… any good suggestions on straightening out the top lip from my previous too heavy attachments?
Thanks all
gary

Bird · Jan 22, 2001

gary, I've not had a problem, probably because I don't hook things to that lip. I've got a couple of chain hooks bolted to the top of the bucket to attach things to, and a lot of folks weld hooks on their bucket. But it's certainly not too unusual for someone to weld some re-enforcing steel across the top, as you've mentioned.

Bird

LarryT · Jan 23, 2001

Gary, I'm getting ready to add some reinforcment and some hooks to the top of my bucket (B2910). I've already bent mine a couple of times. I plan to use a big hammer to fix the problem. Then I'll probably use some channel for reinforcment. I want three hooks, a slip hook in the middle and a grab hook on either end. I've already found out you can't lift from either end else you'll flip the tractor. that's the reason for the center slip hook. Then I'll take the slack up with either end grab hook. I'll send pictures when I get it done. Likewise, I'm interested in how you do your project.

Thanks,

Larry...

Thomas · Jan 23, 2001

gary,
Try a hydraulic jack and just go slow.
Beefing up won't hurt and if you should weld grap hooks just make sure you have darn good weld on them.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Bird · Jan 23, 2001

<font color=blue>plan to use a big hammer to fix the problem</font color=blue>

LarryT, hope that works better for you than it did for us. My brother bent the lower lip of the bucket on my B7100 (just a little bit) and we tried to straighten it with an 8# sledge hammer. The only think that accomplished was making our ears ring./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif Of course, it was bent in a different place than what yours is. The really odd thing, to me, was the fact that the edge was bent down slightly and in time, it straightened itself just from use.

Bird

TomG · Jan 23, 2001

I deal with heavy things with my 3ph pallet forks now, but I used to run a chain loop over the top of the loader arms or through the pipe. Going through the pipe has less chance of the chain fouling or pinching some part of the loader works. Either way, it may be a pain, but it doesn't bend the bucket.