Question for DPic105 (or others) -loose 430 loader

BGL990 · Jul 20, 2004

I just noticed, after a bunchloader work a couple days ago, that the left mast of my 430 loader is quite loose. You can see it moving around maybe 3/8" at the top of the mast while the right one is solid. On closer examination I found that there is almost a 1/4" gap between the front of the "gripper" at the bottom of the mast and the square tube it sits on. The right side is tight. The paint is buckled a little just where you would expect it to bend, if it were to do so. I think it has, although I can't imagine how.

DPic105: In the thread "It's here, It's here ..." where I posted the arrival of my 990, you mentioned you had what sounded like a very similar problem and that a tech was coming to look at it. Here is the text of your post:

<font color="blue">
Yes, its the mast that is the problem. The person from the dealership that came to look before they send a tech, told me that is seemed to be a factory defect. He also mentioned that as the tractor loaders wear, they make a shim kit that you can buy and the shims are welded onto the large shaft that attaches to the sides of the tractor. He said that is normaly around 3000-4000 hrs, and of course that depends on how much loader work you do. So, the bottom line is... We'll see when they come to fix it. </font>

What exactly was the problem? Was it in fact a defect or did they claim operator induced? I'm going to talk to my dealer obviously, but would like some "ammo" if they don't want to cover it under warranty.

Thanks,

DPic105 · Jul 21, 2004

In reply to your question- I just got my 990 back today from the dealership ( 7/21/04) What they did was replace the two side mounts that bolt onto the tractor. I had the same problem that you are having, mine was the right side as you are sitting on the tractor. What I was told was that they discovered the square tube that the loader clamp mounts to was too small. For example, 4"X4" was actually 3 7/8"X3 7/8"s. I have not tried it yet, but I do have ALOT of confidence in my dealership. I was also told that if there is another problem, they will again stand by the product. They NEVER said that it was something that I did, or that I was responsible for what had happened. They considered it a factory defect from the first time that they saw it. If youy have any other questions, just write.

johnbilt · Jul 22, 2004

Hi

Wow ! Sorry to hear about the problem. I may take the time to measure my mounts and see if they are the full 4".

John

BGL990 · Jul 22, 2004

Thanks. Sounds like yours is a different problem - one that was there from the start. Mine is definitely a recent development and I'm sure it isn't the square tube but rather the bottom of the mast itself. On further reflection, it might be possible that I did it when putting the loader on. I don't have a very good level spot to park it and a couple of times it has hung up a bit, with the front support/parking stand not lining up properly and fitting into the support bracket on the tractor. I didn't notice until it went BANG! and slipped into place under pressure. Maybe the misalignment under pressure pushed back on the mast enough to bend the cast piece? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif If so, I can't blame anyone but myself - lesson learned.

We'll see what the dealer says ....

CVHoss · Jul 22, 2004

Brad,
I had exactly the same problem as you except mine was the right mast. Mine was fine until the first time I took the loader off. After I reinstalled it (with no problems), it wobbled all over the place. Took back to the dealer and they did everything they could think of with no positive results. They finally wrote it up as a factory defect. They had a new tractor on the lot with a new 430 loader on it and just swapped it onto my tractor. Guess they sent the other one back. Have had no problems with the second one.

Hoss

DPic105 · Jul 22, 2004

To all: I just used 4X4 as an example-PLEASE don't go by that dimension!!
Further- I used my loader today and it seems back to normal, so far. I really haven't dug anything with it, I just used it to push in some fence posts.