Kubota BX1880, BX2380, BX2680 Front Loader LA344 and LA344S Maintenance

BX1880 / BX2380 / BX2680 Owner Service Guide

The BX80 series uses the LA344 or LA344S front loader. The loader has its own grease fittings and mounting hardware that need attention more often than the tractor itself. The loader runs off the tractor hydraulic system, so its fluid and filter are serviced with the tractor.

Daily checks

1. Check the tractor transmission fluid level before each day of use. The loader draws from the tractor hydraulic system. Top up with Kubota Super UDT-2 (5 gal or 1 gal) as described in the HST oil filter guide.
2. Check all loader hardware for looseness.
3. With the engine off and the bucket on the ground, inspect the hoses for cuts, wear and leaks, and make sure the fittings are tight.

Hydraulic fluid under pressure can penetrate skin. Check for leaks with a piece of cardboard or wood, not your hand, and relieve pressure before loosening any line. The loader cylinders get hot in use; let them cool before working near them.

Greasing

Grease every fitting on the loader every 10 hours of operation. Also lubricate the joints of the control lever linkage at the same time. Kubota recommends an extreme pressure grease that contains molybdenum disulfide, usually labeled Moly EP.

The fittings are at the points marked in the figure below, on both sides of the loader. Wipe each fitting clean, pump grease until fresh grease shows at the joint, and wipe off the excess.

If a fitting will not take grease, replace it. Most loader fittings are 1/4-28 straight fittings, 75599-81520 or 75599-81521. The cylinder fittings are 90° fittings, 75532-63470.

Quick coupler

The LA344S has a 2-lever quick coupler that holds the attachment with an over-center latch. Keep the latch pins and latch handles free of dirt and grease the latch pins weekly. Replace a worn latch pin or a broken latch pin spring. If the handles get loose, tighten the hex nut on the handle slightly to take out the play. Clean the saddle at the top of the attachment and the latch pin slots before mounting an attachment.

Mainframe bolts

The loader mainframes bolt to the tractor with M14 bolts and nuts. Retighten them after the first 20 to 30 hours of loader use, then check them every 50 hours. Torque is 108 ft-lbs.

1. Start the engine and apply down pressure to the bucket until the front wheels just lift off the ground.
2. Check that the mounting hooks can be rotated easily in this position.
3. Torque each mainframe bolt and nut to 108 ft-lbs with the loader holding the front of the tractor up.
4. Lower the front wheels and stop the engine.

Do not run the loader with a loose mainframe. A loose mainframe wears the mounting holes and can crack the brackets.

Parking stand

Every 50 hours, check the parking stand linkage for dirt and make sure it rotates freely. If the stand does not hook and fold up correctly, adjust the stand height. Loaders built from 2018 on use a stand bolt with a collar (type B in the figure). Earlier loaders use a welded pin (type A).

On a type A stand, keep the link and collar clean and clean them before storing the stand. On a type B stand, take the stand bolt and collar apart once a year:

1. Remove the M8 lock nut, plain washer and stand bolt.
2. Slide the collar off the bolt and clean both parts.
3. Apply grease all around the shank of the stand bolt. Keep grease off the threads.
4. Push the collar back on the bolt and install the bolt in the stand. Tighten the stand bolt to 7.8 to 10.4 ft-lbs.
5. Install the plain washer and lock nut and tighten the nut to 15.6 to 20.3 ft-lbs.
6. Turn the collar by hand to spread the grease inside it.

If the stand lever is still hard to move after cleaning and greasing, stop using the stand and have it looked at.

Removing and mounting the loader on soft or uneven ground is shown in our video:

Parts

Parts catalogs: LA344, LA344S. To have service done at Messick's, schedule service.

Related

• Tractor grease points
• HST oil filter replacement
• Transmission fluid change
• Hose and line inspection
• BX Owner Service Guide