Loader My New- Used L39

[Jim Miller]

Got my NEW - Used L39 this weekend. Has 850 hrs - but it's new to me and I'm really happy.

OK - some help from you experienced owners.

1. When I push the FEL control stick all the way forward into the "Float" position the stick gets very loose and just wobbles around. When I lifted the rubber cover on the joy stick I saw the black triangle assembly that moves the three control valves had popped off the back valve. You have to pull the stick back hard to make the assembly pop back on the "DOWN" valve. Is that right?? Should the joy stick be that loose and come off the back valve?

2. The FEL "VALVE LOCK" on the side of the control stick tower does not move in or out. So, you can't lock the joy stick. Is that right?

3. The "SELF LEVELING" lever on the FEL control stick tower is in the down position which the Manual says is in the Self Leveling "ON" position. But, when I try and move it to the upper position it won't stay. The lever just falls back down. Is that right??

I would really appreciate any advice on how the "Float" position should feel on the joy stick. If the Valve Lock should move in-out and whether the Self-Leveling lever should stay in the "UP" position.

Thanks very much!!

Jim Miller

 

[Stonehaller]

Congratulations on the 'new' tractor :thumbsup:. I made a few comments below.

1. When I push the FEL control stick all the way forward into the "Float" position the stick gets very loose and just wobbles around. When I lifted the rubber cover on the joy stick I saw the black triangle assembly that moves the three control valves had popped off the back valve. You have to pull the stick back hard to make the assembly pop back on the "DOWN" valve. Is that right?? Should the joy stick be that loose and come off the back valve?

The FEL valve is cable operated. Your cables could be out of adjustment. When you go to the float position, the lever is supposed to stay there. You can still move it side to side to control the bucket curl/dump. The lever is held in the float position by a detent in the valve. The ends of the valves where the detents can get corroded so that the detent balls don't move any more.

2. The FEL "VALVE LOCK" on the side of the control stick tower does not move in or out. So, you can't lock the joy stick. Is that right?

No, it should move. You probably have to take the joy stick apart to see what is keeping the lock from moving.

3. The "SELF LEVELING" lever on the FEL control stick tower is in the down position which the Manual says is in the Self Leveling "ON" position. But, when I try and move it to the upper position it won't stay. The lever just falls back down. Is that right??

The self leveling lever controls a valve (through a cable). Could be the cable or the detent in the valve.

I attached a shot of the parts manual page of the lever, cables and valve. The work shop manual does give information on the valve assembly and if you are going to do your own service work it is well worth it to buy the shop manual. I don't have my shop manual here so I can't give you more detailed feedback. I should be at my other place where the tractor and manuals are in a couple weeks and could give you more feedback then if you haven't figured out or someone else hasn't posted.

 

[Jim Miller]

Thanks Stonehaller!

I really appreciate the helpful information. I thought the "Float Detent" should have a more solid feel to it - and - the Valve Lock and Self-Leveling features should work.

The Kubota Dealer that I bought the used L39 from is coming today to check it out.

I'll let you know what they find.

 

[Jim Miller]

UPDATE on L39 FEL. On the loose joystick in the "Float" position - they found the assembly that attaches to the FEL joystick and the pins for the 3 control valves (up-down-curl) was worn and would easily pop off of the control valve head. Especially where the assembly attaches to the control valve for the FLOAT position. They ordered a new assembly and will install it this week.

The Valve Lock is a slider that fits in groves for the three control valves. The control valves are adjustable and one was slightly low and wouldn't let the hey slider fit in the grove. They adjusted and fixed this.

The Self-Leveler lever control cable had a pin missing. That prevented the lever from staying in the "UP" position. They replaced the pin.

No charge!! Happy Boy!!