Loader Odd squeak from front (axle?) with a full bucket of gravel - kubota 3400 - problem?

[geneP]

I have practically NO experience with front end loader operation, but I have a hard time seeing how you could carry enough counterbalance to remove an appreciable amount of weight from the loaded front axle. The front axle is the fulcrum with a loaded bucket and there would have to be enough counterbalance to move the fulcrum to the rear axle. I can see how it would add stability.

I will stand corrected if I'm off-base here.

 

[k0ua]

I have practically NO experience with front end loader operation, but I have a hard time seeing how you could carry enough counterbalance to remove an appreciable amount of weight from the loaded front axle. The front axle is the fulcrum with a loaded bucket and there would have to be enough counterbalance to move the fulcrum to the rear axle. I can see how it would add stability.

I will stand corrected if I'm off-base here.

You are incorrect. This debate has gone on for years, here on TBN, we finally had a member do actual weight measurement on a certified scale, and the consensus is that a counterbalance on the 3pt makes a substantial difference.

Think of it this way, on a small CUT like his L3400 , put 1500lbs on the 3pt, and you will notice a substantial lightning of the front end. Now put 1998 on the 3pt. which is all it will lift, you will likely need front end weights on the front to steer it at all. Yes the bucket sticking out there has significant leverage, and with a heavy load in the bucket, it will take a lot to counteract that, but it is all a matter of degree. Taking a few hundred pounds off of the front axle is beneficial.

 

[jeff9366]

I have practically NO experience with front end loader operation----

Kubota L5450 w/LA1150A loader ??

 

[geneP]

Kubota L5450 w/LA1150A loader ??

I bought this rig in December and haven't found a use for the bucket/forks yet. Experienced I am not.

 

[geneP]

You are incorrect. This debate has gone on for years, here on TBN, we finally had a member do actual weight measurement on a certified scale, and the consensus is that a counterbalance on the 3pt makes a substantial difference.

Think of it this way, on a small CUT like his L3400 , put 1500lbs on the 3pt, and you will notice a substantial lightning of the front end. Now put 1998 on the 3pt. which is all it will lift, you will likely need front end weights on the front to steer it at all. Yes the bucket sticking out there has significant leverage, and with a heavy load in the bucket, it will take a lot to counteract that, but it is all a matter of degree. Taking a few hundred pounds off of the front axle is beneficial.

I would like to see that thread with the results.

 

[k0ua]

I would like to see that thread with the results.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...oday-weight-day.html?highlight=ballast+weight

Ask, and ye shall recieve. In that thread, adding 870 lbs on the 3pt, took 610 lbs off of the front axle.

 

[Fallon]

Ask anybody who has put to big of a rotary cutter on the back (or even the right size cutter with no loader or ballast on the front). Your front tires still turn side to side, but you can't steer when the cutter is lifted.

There is a reason you can buy weights for the front & its the same reason you should have ballast on the back.

 

[aarobyn]

I had a box blade on the back. Heavy but not heavy like a bucket of rocks. I've moved full buckets of rock like this before without much trouble though (just keep the bucket as low as possible).

I checked for rocks/pebbles in the rims, and made sure everything was spinning freely when raised up off the ground. That all seemed good.

What I did find, was that the right tire had a dented section in the rim on both the inside and outside of the tire (but not in the same place) and that it had lost substantial tire pressure without appearing flat. I check pressure every 8-10 tractor hours, and it's not been like that before so this could be something recent. It could also have lost tire pressure after the squeaking incident since it had been sitting a week since I heard it.

As soon as the ground dries up from all this rain we've had I'll try it again, properly inflated, and see if that's what's up. If it's still a problem I'll move on to checking the oil levels.

Note - when spinning the wheels I could hear the gears and such moving in the axle- I assume that's good, but let me know if it's not.

Thanks!

 

[k0ua]

Did you check all of the lug nut torques yet?

 

[geneP]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...oday-weight-day.html?highlight=ballast+weight

Ask, and ye shall recieve. In that thread, adding 870 lbs on the 3pt, took 610 lbs off of the front axle.

I can't argue with that. Thanks