Front-End Loader walk me thru unhooking a Kub FEL

[N80]

I much preferred mowing (whether brush hog of finish mower) and tilling without the loader, and removing it was so quick and simple there was just no reason not to. Of course mine was inside the shop on a concrete floor. I had a scrap of plywood I put the cutting edge of the bucket on just to be sure I didn't damage the concrete.

That's the key, Bird. I only have dirt and not much of it is level. With a little wiggling the stands dig down a little and things get off kilter. When that happens hook up can get a little dicey. But, when everything is level and the ground is hard, it really is easy and it is a lot nicer to mow without the loader on......now that I've got all the obstacles cleared out.

 

[Deerlope]

Thanks Hazmat - your instructions seem helpful but they remind me of why I didn't "try this at home" before. So once you have done it a couple of times how long does it take to remove the FEL - are we talking 5 min or 30 or ?

I have a 3830 and I have had mine off and on 6 times in one day. As was said level hard goround it the best.

 

[GCLnIndiana]

Did mine last week for the first time ever. Took me about 10 mins tops on level concrete. I imagine getting it back on will take longer.

 

[Window Geek]

Russ,

You'll find it faster coming off than on.
I have to take mine off usually for winter plowing as I have a front blade.
Take a minute to make sure your valves are still color tagged or coded so you can match them back up when you re-attach. Also, wipe off the plastic guard plugs and covers so you don't shove all the crap that's sticking to them into your hydraulics. Seals will last longer and leaks will be less likely to occur if you clean and USE the covers and plugs when you disconnect.
The manual really helps to do things right. Just follow the instructions and don't try to set any speed records at first.

Good luck!

 

[Bird]

I didn't think about that, but color coding is good. The original color coding on mine (just a little spot of paint on each item) wasn't easy to see, and I didn't have but one color of wire ties on hand at t he time, so I just put left one hose and it's corresponding coupler unmarked, one with one wire tie on each, one with two wire ties on each, and one with three wires ties on each. Maybe not the prettiest markings, but it worked.

 

[Glowplug]

Probably the best thing would be to get different colored electrical tape. I'm lucky though. I have a hydraulic quick coupler on mine. I pull a little lever and all 4 hoses disconnect in one block. To reconnect them I place the block back in place and push the lever closed. Voila!

 

[Window Geek]

... I have a hydraulic quick coupler on mine. I pull a little lever and all 4 hoses disconnect in one block. To reconnect them I place the block back in place and push the lever closed. Voila!

Wow Chuck, I'm feeling some mighty strong hydraulic connector envy. Any pictures of that lovely little connector block?

Paul

 

[Glowplug]

Wow Chuck, I'm feeling some mighty strong hydraulic connector envy. Any pictures of that lovely little connector block?

Paul

I'll take some tomorrow and get 'em up here!
Edit: Just noticed it's after midnight so I guess that would be today instead of tomorrow!

 

[EastTexFrank]

I didn't think about that, but color coding is good. The original color coding on mine (just a little spot of paint on each item) wasn't easy to see, and I didn't have but one color of wire ties on hand at t he time, so I just put left one hose and it's corresponding coupler unmarked, one with one wire tie on each, one with two wire ties on each, and one with three wires ties on each. Maybe not the prettiest markings, but it worked.

I used different colored plastic cable ties. Works good and unlike tape, the hydraulic oil won't mess them up.

OK. I have a confession to make too. I got my L4740 in November and haven't taken the FEL off either. I've changed out the grapple for the bucket and back again but never taken the loader itself off. On the B2400, the first time I did it, with the manual in hand, took about 10 minutes. Now, I take it off and on all the time in about 2-3 minutes at most.

As others have stated, get it on level, hard ground. My S-I-L called me for instructions on how to take the loader off the M5700 at the farm. I couldn't make it over there but told her that it was simple, just follow the instructions in the manual. I'm sure I told her about the "Level, Hard" part as well. Anyway, she took it off in the yard and it got "skew wiff". I went over to put it back on and, man, that was a nightmare.

Good luck. It'll get easier with practice.

 

[brandoro]

I have had this tractor almost three years and took the FEL off for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I had hooked up the RFM and was getting ready to make the yard look good and just thought I should take the FEL off. Mostly the blame for that thought belongs to some of the people on this forum. Anyway, I had read the procedure in the manual a couple of times and picked a nice flat and solid piece of ground. It came off quite easily, had to be under 5 minutes. Went and cut all the grass, like driving a sports car without the FEL. Drove back up to the loader, had to maneuver a bit to get lined up just right, three of the hydraulic quick couplers snapped right in, the fourth took a little persuading. It was sitting in the sun so I think some temperature induced pressure was the problem. Not too bad going back on, more than 5 minutes but for sure less than ten.
Given the ease of cutting near things without the loader and the relative ease of removing/replacing it, I will be getting a lot more practice at that in the future. The FEL is required or usefull for most of the other jobs I use the tractor for so it will still be on the tractor more than off but nice that it is easily removed when required.
edit:The plastic protectors for the quick couplers on my tractor are different colours and I just plug them into each other when they aren't protecting the couplers so they can protect each other. Keeps them clean. I bought a (colour) matching pair for my woodsplitter that I plug into the bucket roll circuit so I always plug them into the right places.