Kubota L39 curl problems

[JZK]

I bought a used Kubota L39 with 300 hrs on it. It now has 500 on it but the curl function is slow. You need to throttle it up to make it remotely move. Would love to repair but not a lot of information on the control block for loader. Any help would be great TIA

 

[Smokeydog]

Make sure the auto leveling lever is not engaged and is fully off.

 

[rScotty]

Make sure the auto leveling lever is not engaged and is fully off.

Yep, that one got me yesterday. For a moment I thought something had gone wrong with the loader, but I'd hit the engage auto level lever by mistake. Must have been when tarping it up.

Now having said that, if your L39 is like the M59 and has the loader control up on a stalk but the actual loader valve down under the floor - and connects the two with push/pull cables......those cables can stand to be lubed after a while.
rScotty

 

[JZK]

I tried the auto leveling. Doesn't matter which position the switch is in. Could it be in the control valve? I haven't found a good diagram to diagnose it for parts

 

[rScotty]

I tried the auto leveling. Doesn't matter which position the switch is in. Could it be in the control valve? I haven't found a good diagram to diagnose it for parts

Here is a good L39 diagram from Messicks. The loader directional control valve is very standard. The only really different thing about the L39 is the remote activation cables. They do need lube from time to time.

Does the loader valve control seem to move the proper amount? Could the cable be broken?
Do the loader arms go up and down normally? Is it just bucket curl or also bucket extend?

Throttling up shouldn't make all that much difference in loader speed. Certainly not move vs not move.

#320 is the self-leveling lever. Up for normal operation. (self-leveling off).

 

[JZK]

All other functions work great. Cable seems to be moving properly

 

[rScotty]

Then I would start by putting a "T" and a $20 5000 psi pressure gauge into the bucket line and also while you are there take a look at the at the bucket relief valve for any obvious external problem.

Those two things will give you an idea of how the pressure looks relative to the movement of the control lever.
Use a hydraulic "T" NOT a plumbing "T". It's OK to make up a quick disconnect testing gauge if you'd rather. With a pressure gauge that can be moved around the system we will have some more information.
Right now we don't know enough to diagnose it.
rScotty

 

[Egon]

I bought a used Kubota L39 with 300 hrs on it. It now has 500 on it but the curl function is slow. You need to throttle it up to make it remotely move. Would love to repair but not a lot of information on the control block for loader. Any help would be great TIA

Look for wear on the joystick control.

 

[4570Man]

Yep, that one got me yesterday. For a moment I thought something had gone wrong with the loader, but I'd hit the engage auto level lever by mistake. Must have been when tarping it up.

Now having said that, if your L39 is like the M59 and has the loader control up on a stalk but the actual loader valve down under the floor - and connects the two with push/pull cables......those cables can stand to be lubed after a while.
rScotty

It’s a poor design IMO. My machine was close to new and the loader stick wasn’t very smooth and I had to take it apart at least once to re adjust it. It never worked very smoothly even after adjusting and lubing. I’d hate to see how it worked after 25 years and 5000 hours.