L260 Loader "Slop"

[mr.precision]

New to the forum, not new to restoring old tractors.
Recently bought a very nice Kubota L260 with a loader. Tractor is in remarkable condition for its age.... just needs the usual fixes and adjustments to make everything 100%.

One condition I am not familiar with is the operation of the loader. The 2 shorter left arms that rotate the bucket up and down operate good, but when first moved from the fully "up" position they drop about 1" and then smoothly rotate down. When left in the up position while the tractor is running, they slowly drop about 1". Is this air in the system?

This tractor has a separate tank for hydraulic fluid that comes off the belt driven pump, which runs the loader. I believe the rear fluid reservoir has its own pump for the 3 point.

Thanks for the help. This old girl is going to be fun to restore and use.

 

[Stubbyie]

Air is doubtful. May be a cylinder leak internally top-to-bottom across packing but I think you'd see more 'action'. Could be hose collapsed internally and partially plugged both due to age: low probability.

First thing came to mind reading your description was the bucket dropping as the loader control is moved from/to float position. See if your joystick is being pushed 'up' or 'forward' into a detent position to 'float' that then performs the drop you describe when it pops into or out of float into regular loader control pattern. Refer to your Owner's Manual (see www.KubotaBooks.Com) or manual for another machine that describes how loader 'float' works.

Your tagname Mr. Precision causes me to think you want it 'right'. I understand as this is the same kind of thing that drives me nutty until it gets resolved--or at least understood. Hope you determine cause and fix.

Please post back with what you find to keep us all educated.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Mr Precision, sounds like my B219 I just rebuilt, the loader would drift??????
I had a broken spring in the controls and also got a owners manual which it states that the left lever must be pulled back and released for it to find home. It is not a self centering spool valve like the right side.

Big Kahuna

 

[cubitcm]

Mr. Precision,
Do you have any pictures of the tractor and the belt drive set-up for the loader. I have an L260 with belt drive pump for the loader but it needs some work and changes. Any idea what manufacture the loader kit is from?