Loader feeling sluggish under load?

[Gatsby Rogers]

Gentlemen, brand new here but I've been chasing answers for a bit now. Got a B3300 with a LA525 loader and I've had this nagging feeling since day one that it ain't throwing its weight around like it should.

Last season I tried lifting a half-ton of compost bags and it groaned like it was trying to bench press a refrigerator. From what I've read online, Kubota might be sandbagging the pressure settings from the factory. I bought a gauge to plug into the loader line but wanted to check with the crew here. Should I yank the key and bleed everything before plugging in?

And once I get a number, how do I figure out what washer or shim needs to go where? The manual shows shadows and guesses more than real pictures so I'd love to hear from someone who's done it without burning their barn down.

 

[Blobby]

Good call on grabbing a gauge and yeah, bleed the pressure before hooking it up, once you get your PSI reading, we can talk shims and bumping spec safely

 

[CherryOnTop]

Kubota sets pressures low from the factory, before I use gauge, bleed the system fully with the key off to avoid bad readings

 

[Gatsby Rogers]

Knowing that bleeding the system first is the correct procedure relieves a load. I'll get a pressure reading this weekend and let you know what I find. Thanks!

 

[AgroBrixton]

I think you shouldn't bleed the system, just de-pressurize the lines.
Turn off the engine and cycle the loader controls to relieve pressure before attaching your gauge.
The relief valve is usually on the loader control valve.
You'll add shims under its spring to increase pressure.
It's an iterative process: add a shim, re-test with the gauge, aiming for a 10-15% increase over factory.

 

[Gatsby Rogers]

This description is a world away from the vague manual. Life on the property got hectic so I haven't had a chance to hook up the gauge yet. Your step-by-step on adding shims gives me the confidence to finally get it done this weekend.

 

[Cooperhawk]

Yesterday while cleaning up some storm damage a Hydraulic hose sprung a leak. Does Kubota have them pre made up or do I have to find a shop to make a replacement? It just happens to be the hose that lifts the loader.

 

[prestigious-iceberg77]

Yesterday while cleaning up some storm damage a Hydraulic hose sprung a leak. Does Kubota have them pre made up or do I have to find a shop to make a replacement? It just happens to be the hose that lifts the loader.

Man, that's rough timing. A busted hose is never welcome when you're trying to get work done. You can order an exact replacement from the Kubota dealer, but I would find a local hydraulic shop to make you 1 instead, as it's usually faster and cheaper.

 

[Cooperhawk]

I ended up going to the Kubota Dealer and they made up a new hose while I waited.

 

[Gatsby Rogers]

I finally got the gauge hooked up last weekend and cycled the loader controls with the engine off as @AgroBrixton suggested. That gave me a clean reading without any spikes. Pressure was lower than expected, so I'll add a shim and recheck once things settle down on the property. I also saw the hose replies, which was good timing since I spotted a small leak near the quick connect. I might swing by the dealer next week to get one made. If anyone has a ballpark PSI target for the LA525 that won't stress the seals, I'd be glad to hear it.