Loose 430 Loader shim fix

[Newfman]

Thanks,

My Wife works with a woman who's husband is a professional welder. We'll see if he can throw a few beads down.

I appreciate the help.

Dennis

 

[beenthere]

Welcome. The shim kit on JD Parts is 'Item 17' in the picture. Apparently it's meant to be used at the front of the loader; but some guys weld them onto the frame stubs where the masts attach. For the ~$40 Deere charges for the kit, I can buy a lot of sheet metal scraps. I used mild steel, and I'm assuming the JD shims are too. Other guys run a weld bead where it needs shimming on the stub, then grind it down till it cures the problem.

Now this (item #17) seems to be a different "shim" kit than was being discussed in the thread.
Or did I miss something?

Where these shims go is where the JD 430 loader adjustments are made to keep the FEL on tight. It is not clear what these shims do in the image of the parts and their location. But may be for attaching the same FEL to different tractor models.

 

[mjncad]

If you look at the pictures in the first post, you can see where the OP plug welded the shims at the OEM bolt holes.

My guess for the front location of the shims is to account for manufacturing variations in an effort to keep the loader within a specific width tolerance.

Either JD has alternate instructions in the kit for welding them to the mast mounts as shown in the first post, or the OP said "What the heck, I'll weld them on the mast mounts." Again, just guessing on my part.

 

[beenthere]

Last winter I rigged a "temporary" shim to tighten up the loader masts. They were really getting sloppy. It worked great and got me through snowplowing.

Well I finally got around to ordering the shim kit from Deere. +- $35.00.

I would NOT reccomend it to you due to the high price. Yes it works fine, but I'm sure you can find flat stock much cheaper elsewhere.

The kit comes with 12 shims and directions.

I removed the brackets and a friend of mine welded the shims on.

It did a fine job of tightening up the loader. Like new.

Chuck4310
Were these shims supposed to go on the loader posts, or on the arms at the adjustment location near the front weight bracket as shown by the pic of mjncad?
Wondering what the directions said. ?? Whatever works tho.

 

[Chuck4310]

The directions that came with the shims show them being welded onto the square mounting brackets that support the "towers" just as I described in the beginning of this post.

That is exactly how I installed them and it worked fine. Tightened it right up.

I made NO adjustments to the components in the front of the loader whatsoever.

 

[beenthere]

For sure you must have them on right.
Do you have some pics of them after the first time or two of use? So we can see where the contact points are by the new paint rubbing off?

 

[mjncad]

I took a closer; but not exhaustive inspection of my loader mast to mount interface and I found more gaps to correct.

Now I just need to make the time to fiddle and tweak it to tighten up my loader.

 

[Mark from Maine]

I wasn't sure if it was better to revive old thread or start new one. Please let me know what is preferred for future use. My question will probably make you realize how far out into left field my thinking can be. Here goes: How effective is JB weld? Is it strong enough to adhere the shim plates as opposed to having them welded on? Sure would simplify the job. Thanks for your input.

 

[Kubota 2350]

I tightened up my 430 loader arms by running weld beads and grinding them down to fit. I used 7018 rod.

Tractor has been sold sense, but it was holding up very well.

 

[beenthere]

IMO you can do the most good with your post where it fits best, and looks to me like it is right here.

JB weld might be something to try, and if it doesn't work.. no harm, no foul. Can then do the welding.

So far, by 430 FEL on my 4300 shows no signs of needing a shim fix. Unless I'm missing something.
Thanks for reviving this thread, as I will look closer at the present condition.