LS MT125 FEL Valve Fix

[jdeilus]

So I posted before about the free travel on my FEL Joystick. Supposedly if there is any problem with the valve, you replace it. Well LS is out of stock. I asked my service rep if the valve has to be turned back in when replaced because I want to tinker with it a little. He told me that he is not required to turn it in. So I cut the little zip tie on the valve and pulled up the boot. To my surprise there no broken parts, but a loose nut. I tightened it, slipped the boot back on and put on a new zip tie. Good as new. See videos.

Before fix

FEL Joystick - YouTube

Here was the problem.

LS MT125 Loader Valve issue - YouTube

 

[tookielee]

Good that you found and fixed it - bad that the dealer service didn't even look at it.

 

[jdeilus]

Good that you found and fixed it - bad that the dealer service didn't even look at it.

I was in constant communication with my service rep since it under warranty. He was going to replace the whole thing when it finally arrives. LS doesn’t sell any internal components for the valve...you are just to replace the whole thing. What a waste of money. I’m inpatient and wanted to open it up to see what’s wrong. It’s just the old mechanic in me to tear into things.

 

[power2theq]

I was in constant communication with my service rep since it under warranty. He was going to replace the whole thing when it finally arrives. LS doesn稚 sell any internal components for the valve...you are just to replace the whole thing. What a waste of money. I知 inpatient and wanted to open it up to see what痴 wrong. It痴 just the old mechanic in me to tear into things.

Good on you for fixing it. :thumbsup:

I've already dealt with the same issue once, along with one of the allen head bolts on top of the valve coming loose multiple times.

I just tighten it back up whenever I notice too much slop in the joystick.

BTW, my MT125 has over 530 hours on it.

 

[mslisaj]

I had the same issue with one of the controls with my MT125 backhoe. I thought it was broken also but upon closer inspection it was just a loose nut. The interesting thing was my dealer didn't have a clue and I found it and repaired it myself.

Now here is an ongoing issue I've had with the FEL Valve. It works fine and when I'm using the machine and not paying attention I will push the lever to the right in the dump mode and I will push it too far. Then the whole stick seems to feel lose and do nothing. I then have to move the stick fore and aft (raise/lower) to "realign" everything and I'm back in business. This has been an ongoing issue since new. Anyone else experience this. The fix for me is to be cognizant of not moving the lever too far to the right. But for all the years I operated loaders there was a stop there so I'm not thinking about it. But just curious if anyone else has experienced this?

 

[Scoobydue28]

I have the same problem with my loader valve. (Also have MT125, I have the 1101 loader) I have already broken one of the legs inside the valve, and it was repaired under warranty. Now I am having the issue you describe. Here are pics of the broken loader valve before replacement. I do like my tractor too, but this loader valve leaves something to be desired. I have had several other tractors (Kubotas) and I haven't broken their valves in 20 years of use, and this here with under 100 hours is giving me fits. I just cleared snow with it today, and that is when it started acting up. Maybe this weekend I will get into the new one and see if something came loose. Hopefully that is all it is. BTW, I am new here (although I was a member many years ago, but haven't used account in a long time)

 

[Diggin It]

Now here is an ongoing issue I've had with the FEL Valve. It works fine and when I'm using the machine and not paying attention I will push the lever to the right in the dump mode and I will push it too far. Then the whole stick seems to feel lose and do nothing.

But just curious if anyone else has experienced this?

Not sure if it's exactly the same issue, but mine was a loose nut holding the joystick arm in place. I have to readjust mine (again) because I went too far and lost the float detent due to the arm hitting the plastic housing.

 

[mslisaj]

Not sure if it's exactly the same issue, but mine was a loose nut holding the joystick arm in place. I have to readjust mine (again) because I went too far and lost the float detent due to the arm hitting the plastic housing.

One of my backhoe levers had the loose stick problem and I didn't catch it at first and the dealer wasn't any help when I called and asked about it. I eventually found it. Haven't had that issue with the backhoe since. The FEL valve is a different story, while I haven't broken anything in there yet and it works just fine that moving it too far to the right is nuts how it kind of shifts the whole valve in neutral and then I have to move it fore and after to get it in sync again. Crazy stuff.

 

[LScraig]

Thank you for that video. Question: Can you remove the rubber boot from the valve without removing the allen screws on top?

 

[jdeilus]

Thank you for that video. Question: Can you remove the rubber boot from the valve without removing the allen screws on top?

Yes. There is a zip tie holding the boot in place. Snip it off and pull up the boot. Be careful not to disturb all the grease in there. If you have a nut loose, you will need two wrenches to tighten. Make sure you put a new zip tie back on.