L-39 newbie questions

dannyk · Mar 26, 2007

Since we had a warm weekend, I went out to the garage to familiarize myself with my new L-39 TL. It was delivered in January and has been sitting for two months waiting for the end of mud season in late April.

3 questions came to mind that I am sure more experienced folks can answer for me:

1) I notice the engine labors noticeably when I lower the loader boom. Lifting the boom is smooth and easy, but lowering it clearly uses engine power. If I increase rpms, there is no hesitation in lowering the boom but there is quite a bit of hydraulic noise. Likewise, dumping the bucket causes the engine to labor at low rpms, whereas curling the bucket does not. Is this normal for this tractor, or am I looking at a problem? (Another thing I observed was that the unit was delivered 2 gallons shy of a load of transmission Super UDT. There was no UDT on the dipstick until I added more than a gallon.)

2) My second question is regarding greasing. I have no problem finding the 16 grease fittings on the loader, but the manual also says to grease the "joints of the control lever linkage" every ten hours. There is no picture of these "joints" and I have no idea what they are referring to. What and where are the "joints of the control lever linkage?"

Many thanks to Sky and others who have helped me in the past. This board is great, and members' willingness to share their knowledge and expertise is of huge value!

Danny

dannyk · Mar 26, 2007

Oh yeah, my third question: The unit was obviously transported on an open truck and it picked up a lot of road salt. There is corrosion of many of the hydraulic fittings, pins, and bolt heads. Not much to do about this, but I'm wondering if I will be looking at any long term problems.

Thanks again,
Danny

SkyPup · Mar 26, 2007

1. Make sure the hydraulic fluid is 100% completely filled. I've never heard any noises from the hydraulic pump under any circumstance. And always use ONLY SUDT or equilivant.

2. You have to remove the joystick cover and the cover to the BT1000 BH to grease the control units. I highly advise doing this ASAP, use a spray can of white lithium grease and liberally coat all the components, after first making certain that all the lock bolts are tightened securely on each and every one so they do not work themselves loose.

3. Spray copious amounts of WD-40 on all corroded parts and rub down with fine steel wool and then spay more WD-40 on them.

Hope this helps. The most important things are always use SUDT and to lube the control linkages and make sure they are tight PRIOR to using them.....

Have fun, the L-39 is one stout workhorse!

dannyk · Mar 27, 2007

Thanks, Sky, for the helpful comments. After looking at the housing below the joystick, I'm not sure how to remove it. There are two bolts that pass completely through the metal cover from front to rear (just below the rubber collar), but it would seem that the handle on the lever for the self-leveling control would prevent the cover from being removed.

In addition there are two smaller (sheet metal?) screws near the self-leveling control lever.

There are also 2 larger bolts or screws that pass through the fender from the outside in front of the rear wheel as well as a bolt or screw just above the push button for the front hydraulics. These three fasteners appear to attach the entire assembly to the fender.

So my question is, How do you remove the joystick cover?

Danny

SkyPup · Mar 27, 2007

If I remember correctly, you simply remove those two long bolts that go all the way through and then lift up the metal cover up high enough to lube the joints, leaving the boot cover on and just sliding it up as far as you can without removing the boot.

dannyk · Mar 27, 2007

Thanks, Sky, I'll give that a try.

dfkrug · Mar 27, 2007

dannyk:

The L-39 uses a cable-controlled FEL joystick, not the earlier Kubota
linkages to the valve. It sounds like the manual describes the earlier
linkages when it comes to oiling. My Kioti also has a cable-controlled
FEL valve and it has no published lubricating method.

As for low hyd fluid, the tractor was probably full before they put the
backhoe on and the installer "forgot" to top up the fluid when finished.
Since your machine has a GST trans, the dealer may have used UDT and
not SUDT as the latter is only "required" for the HST trans. That is
what I was told by the dealer a few years ago anyway.

mike69440 · Mar 27, 2007

The cable design Joystick should not require lubrication, but grease the snot out of the BH linkage.

Something sounds like something is fightingitself in the loader valve. Mine was replaced early on under warantee.

Extra weight helps the machine move dirt.

have fun

nkole · Mar 27, 2007

I have an L39 (06 with about 80 hours). When I lower the FEL it puts a strain on the engine. Feels like the FEL is being pushed down under power rather than utilizing gravity to lower itself. I assumed this is normal, but don't have another L39 to compare with. The machine performs well. All fluids are full. My BX2200 didn't do this nor did my Kioti DK45. Is something wrong?

Neil