Prevent Front Loader Bending of your Kubota Compact Tractor

A bent frame or damaged hydraulics can be the result of wrong usage of the front loader of your compact tractor. In this video the principles of bending are described and how to prevent this.
A more in-depth view on the effect of different types of loads onto the hydraulics and the mechanical construction of the front loader is presented that can result in bending. The strength and stiffness of the front loader construction is discussed to understand why certain loads should be avoided. This also shows that the front loader construction together with the hydraulics is very strong as long as you used it as intended.
At the end of the video 6 tips are presented to avoid bending of your front loader construction.
Reference for the presented relations on stiffness and strength:
Formulas for Stress and Strain, by: Raymond J. Roark, from: McGraw-Hill.
The compact tractor in this video is a 2020 Kubota B2261, a 26 hp 4WD Compact Tractor with Hydrostatic Transmission, with a LA424 Front Loader.
Video by: Outdoors in the Low Countries
Music: www.purple-planet.com

[@jaga5170]

One of the most useful and clear explanation I have seen. Very Informative. Thank You.

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Thanks and glad you like it!

[@jacklurie2496]

Very informative video. Thank you for this. We are probably all guilty of overextending the capabilities of our little tractors. This physics explanation puts it all in perspective. Jack

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Thanks Jack. Glad that the physics explanation was helpful. I hope it shows that the front loader is very strong as long as it used correctly.

[@utubota5522]

This is the best technical explanation for loader dynamics that I have seen. Thank you.

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Glad it was helpful!

[@donaldstrishock3923]

That Heavy-Duty home-made "Rake-Ripper" is a Monster "Apparatus" for that little tractor. It is Truly AMAZING that the loader-assemblys are not , "Twisted,bent,& broken". You must really "Take it easy" when using that apparatus.The "Torque-construction" is going to "KILL" your "loader-construction".

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

The front loader construction will not bend nor break as long as you use it according to its design. That is what I try to explain in this video. Also limit the RPM because this will only make the system nervous and jerky but not much stronger (increase of force only about 6% see kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5PMinWJnrBnpMk). The robust design of the rake digger and rhino ripper prevents local torques and forces being applied onto a limited section of the FL construction and thereby help to prevent bending, by creating global loads onto the FL construction as it is designed for.

[@BuildALotAcres]

Great video! The little compacts are very handy, but they’re not built like true construction grade equipment. Some care and thought does need to be performed to be safe. Good tips.

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Thanks, and I'm very glad you like it. I hope it helps to get a better view on the possibilities but, just as you mention, also on the limitations of front loaders.

[@davidconnors8830]

I appreciate your videos for their conciseness and detail. Thank you.

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Thanks for the compliment!

[@Quilustrucu]

Grand merci pour cette vidéo. Best explanation for loader dynamics that I have seen.

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

S'il vous plais.

[@beautegt6872]

A very nice video. Clear and to the point. It covers all the basic aspects of how you can destroy your loader. Thank you for the explanation. Good job!

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Thanks for the compliments and glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidbauman4705]

Best informative video I’ve seen on loaders

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Thanks for the compliment!

[@cogentdynamics]

You always do such an awesome job explaining the involved mechanics! Thank you for sharing your expertise.

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

My pleasure!

[@stevep8525]

Awesome info, picking up my first front loader compact tractor in a few days.

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Lots of fun and succes with your new front loader. I hope you will have the same positive experience as I did. I had a B1600DT without front loader for 17 years (you can see a few videos about it on my channel) that I already used for many jobs in my landscaping. But with a front loader the bucket of opportunities opens up even further.

[@GetLandWrecked]

Very clear and helpful explanation that may help me not damage my loader. Thank you sir.

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Thanks and I'm glad that you like it.

[@flanderstractor5863]

Very informative video. Well done. Greetings from Flanders.

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Thanks and glad you enjoyed it!

[@stevenshook3348]

In my statics and dynamics engineering course in college we modeled front end loaders. The weakest point, by far, is just below the knuckle connecting the upper arm to the downward arm, just below the welded gusset plate connecting the arms.

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Nice study case. 🙂 Was the modeling done by FEM analysis? And for which load case(s) was this the weak point?

[@stevenshook3348]

@@OutdoorsintheLowCountries Yes, finite element analysis. Two load situations were modeled that essentially resulted in the same failure location just below the knuckle. One analysis was a dozer loading - pushing a load straight ahead at ground level. The second analysis was using a bucket to lift a load (using hook and chain attached to bucket) to one side of the bucket. This obviously resulted in an uneven bending load between the two FEL arms, as well as a torsion load.

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Interesting analysis. Nice case!

[@larryshulman8845]

Excellent

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Thanks an glad you like it!

[@snouwbaard]

Je hoort direct dat het een Hollander is door zijn foute zinsbouw en woordkeuze haha. Wel respect, ik zou geen video's durven en kunnen maken. Het is een leerrijke video. Mijn frontlader is spijtig genoeg geplooid voor dat ik uw video kon bekijken.

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Hahaha... ja mee eens. Ik heb geen script alleen een globaal verhaal wat ik wil vertellen als ik een video opneem. Als ik dan later de video terug zie denk ik ook vaak: hmmm dat had wel beter gekund. Wel jammer van je voorlader. Hopelijk valt de schade mee, en is het weer snel gerepareerd.

[@charliesmith9528]

I watched another one of your videos about making a stump ripper,,what type of disc do you use to cut the teeth in plate steel,,ones im using dont work well,,,i enjoy your videos,,its clear you are a very smart man not just a novice

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Thanks for the compliments. I use a grinder 230mm steel cutting disc.

[@charliesmith9528]

@@OutdoorsintheLowCountries I think im going to buy a little more heavy duty grinder maybe 230 mm instead of using the cheap harbor freight one i have had for years,,tractor attachments are so expensive these days,,always on look out for people selling un needed metal..

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

I think that's a good idea.

[@joetterolison4093]

I have mostly used My FEL for moving and back dragging loose dirt and tree mulch So having a single ripper is by the rules of Physics You explained here Multiple rippers could/can apply unbalanced loads on the FEL and induce a destructive twisting force Thanks for the Logical Physics Lesson Ken in Florida

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Glad you like it.

[@m2autoworks]

Fantastic

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Thanks

[@katrinaanon1038]

Wish I had this bit of training when I bought my tractor.

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Thanks. I hope everything still went well with your tractor.

[@katrinaanon1038]

@@OutdoorsintheLowCountries I still have not reached my first 50 hours. Considering what diesel fuel prices are it isnt going in until then. Then I will find out whether I will live with it, try the wood block method, or have the dealership get it back to the way it should be.

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

@@katrinaanon1038 Can you explain what the issue is?

[@ericritchey9331]

Great information. I was wondering what your opinion is on front and rear wheel spacers?

[@OutdoorsintheLowCountries]

Thanks. Wheel spacers will reduce the sensitivity of the tractor to tip over sideways. Because of the narrow track width and rather high construction the standard compact tractor is quite sensitive for this. You have to be careful when using them on slopes. Enlarging the track width will improve the lateral stability since the angle where the center of gravity is above the contact points of the tyres with the ground (tipping point) increases. You pay this back by having a wider tractor. But when you regularly operate your tractor at slopes sideways it might be interesting to install them.