Loader Torque Tube

paccorti · Jan 23, 2001

The other day I was playing around with a large tree on the ground. It was about 11" in diameter near the base. Lacking bucket teeth it was very hard to pick up but I did manage it a couple of times. So here is my question. I've read that people have "sprung" (bent) their loader by lifting things off center. In the act of picking up the tree I did this many times. Now the 16LA loader has a huge torque tube. It's probably the largest of any compact tractor that I've seen. Should I ever be concerned about bending the loader frame by picking up loads off center (not that I do this intentionally)?

Peter

Bird · Jan 23, 2001

<font color=blue>Should I ever be concerned about bending the loader frame by picking up loads off center</font color=blue>

Peter, I don't really know what the chances are of bending the loader frame, but I've heard of it enough that I've always been a little concerned and careful; however, I've nearly turned the tractor over a few times with loads off center and so far have never damaged a loader frame. I do suspect that a sudden impact, off center, might bend the frame and/or roll the tractor.

Bird

JATO_RaT · Jan 24, 2001

Peter, I frequently use the tractor in every imaginable way. I use the edge of the bucket to frequently lift a slab of concrete, grip into a root, or lift the corner of a load. Sometimes I lift it and sometimes I don't. I have yet to "torque" or maybe more accurately twist the loader arms permanetly. Bird mentioned nearly flipping his tractor, well, I can't say that, but I have had one wheel 2' off the ground, two rear wheels 2' off the ground but never wheels on the same side of the ground. I use a Kubota 4850 and a New Holland 2120. The NH is super easy to get the rear end off the ground because it has a light duty 72" box scraper, (thats a real pet peave of mine). I say get a heavy duty scraper for performance and safety, and if you can't afford a heavy duty one, wait until you can. In the mean time, I would not be afraid of using the loader in the manner you describe, Rat...

Anonymous Poster · Jan 24, 2001

This is an interesting subject. If you are using your tractor to do anything besides loading sawdust the loader is under stress, digging you can hit a rock, even going slow will stress it unevenly. It's an intersting dilemma. Although I run at a low speed and rpm when a stump I was rolling slipped to one side of the loader it pulled the backend off on one side as easily as I'd tip a toy up. I think the loader on this L35 is pretty strong.

As to the buckets, that's another story, a standard bucket on some loaders can be tweaked by catching a rock in the ground, bending the bottom down. I completely redid the bucket on my Ford with lips on the bottom, sides, top, plate on the bottom and side back edges. The HD bucket on this Kubota "feels" just like it.

Even when you're careful things can get bent.

Thomas · Jan 24, 2001

Peter,
I always try and pick up the object in the center,for when traveling you never know what you my hit& sink into & run over,and like Bird said about almost tipping over.
Also keep your bucket close to the ground as you can.

Be careful and enjoy.

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

Steve_Carver · Jan 24, 2001

This is a very important issue for dealers when appraising used trade in loaders.
These tips can save you hassle and big money.
Loader frames that have been bent and are unlevel cause the trade trade-in tractor/loader valve to decrease as much as $1500 - $2500.
Folks typical "screw up" the loader frame by trying to "pry up" stumps -- using one corner of the bucket, lift heady items with chains on ONE side of the bucket of loader frame.
A 1/2" unlevel measurement at the loader arms -- transmits and amplifies into a 3 "+ "unlevel-ness" at each end of a 6' wide bucket.
Damages to buckets are similar but usually found as BENT DOWN in the center at the cutting edge.
This is one problem where the slip over cutting edges and tooth bars serve to stop.
They reinforce and protect the front edge (cutting) of std. bucket.
Tractor loader shoppers should always test the "bucket and loader levelness" by raising the bucket's cutting edge less than an inch over a level concrete pad.
Then measure at each side and in the middle of the bucket.
The side measurements may sometimes be adjusted with change of tires and/or pressure. (front and rear tires affect the #s)