Smashed loader line?

[sparkkky]

Hello, my B21's loader line has a pretty good dimple in it, will it make problems like higher pressure or heat?

 

[grandad]

I put a minor kink in all 4 of the steel lines that run along the tubular cross member on my FEL a few months ago when pushing logs into the burn pile. It didn't seem to affect the loader operation or show any signs of restricted flow, so I've left them alone for now... figured attempting to straighten them would be a sure-fire way to weaken them even more. I will eventually replace them.

If your loader seems to operate the same, you can probably likewise use it for a while, as long as the line is not sticking out where it might get snagged on something.

I notice Kubota has added a shield on the newer FEL models where my lines got bent. Rigging up a homebrew shield is yet another project if I ever get the time.

 

[btolle]

grandad, see loader line shield on B7510 for what I did to protect my lines. I used angle iron from an old bed frame. Bed frames are made of spring steel and will hold up better than standard angle iron. It has taken a lot of hits and other than paint missing, no damage.

Bill Tolle

 

[Junkman]

Bill........ how did you attach the angle???

 

[tnmx]

i like that expanded steel shield on the front too. is it really attached with only plastic zipties?

 

[btolle]

I attached the angle using the bolts that hold the plate that holds the lines down. Just pull the bolts, put the angle iron on, and reinstall the bolts.

Grille Guard: I have replaced the zipties with 2 radiator hose clamps around the horizontal bar, placed as far toward the outside of the guard as possible. I found that I was hanging the guard on limbs as I backed up and it would break the zipties.

By using the radiator hose clamps and not tightening them completely the grill guard will swing forward when needed. In effect, the hose clamps act like a hinge. The guard can't swing backwards (toward the grille) because the Kubota grille guard stops it but if I hang a branch while backing up it will swing forward and off of the branch.

I do still use a zip tie on each side to keep the guard from being pushed too far to either side. I just replace them periodically when they get broken. I put the zipties at the very top of the guard and around the vertical braces and I do not tighten them very tight so they have some movement.

Bill Tolle

 

[grandad]

The bed frame idea is something I never would have thought of. And I've got at least one of those things up in the attic - doesn't everyone? Thanks for the suggestion!