FEL repair kit

[RexB]

ROTFLMAO you're right "P'sng into the wind" just gets ya' wet I've read your past reasoned explanations of why Kioti should replace the defective loader arms as a good business practice. I'm not a metallurgist, but guesstimate that it's only a matter of time before those cracks enlarge and cause loader failure and injury; then Kioti can deal with expensive personal-injury lawyers' lawsuits rather than first taking the relatively inexpensive route of loader-arm replacement or repair-kit installation.


I'm *surprised* they haven't caught on yet because otherwise the CK series have performed so well in the woods that I'm loving this little tractor.

[rmahlert]

After I sent a message off the link on the Kioti website about my KL-130 loader this past weekend.. they gave me a call today.

Basically.. if your local dealer doesn't get the kit and fix your your loader.. let Kioti know. If the kit doesn't fit the dealer is suppose to call the Kioti Tech support.
My issue is the local dealer is a 40 minute ride now. The Bobcat in Shrewesbury is not officially(yet?) in the dealer list and no warranty repairs can be done with them.

What I was not happy with is my old dealer (Harvard) might not have sent in my registration. I have to send my serial numbers to check seeing She couldn't find my name in the database.

And.. it is not official policy for them to check any online forums, Which I suggested they do!

[Highbeam]

Originally Posted by rmahlert

And.. it is not official policy for them to check any online forums, Which I suggested they do!

Oh, they do. Certainly not in an official capacity. Fortunately there are several fine dealers that officially check in and contribute.

New rule.... noone can try and hush the numerous FEL threads unless they in fact own an effected loader. I know I can't set rules but try and consider that it is hard to understand the frustration unless you are one of the owners of these defective loaders. Kioti has head in sand, most dealers have head in sand, and the cracks grow. At least we can freely share information here on TBN.

[kentrodngun]

Originally Posted by Highbeam

New rule.... noone can try and hush the numerous FEL threads unless they in fact own an effected loader. I know I can't set rules but try and consider that it is hard to understand the frustration unless you are one of the owners of these defective loaders. Kioti has head in sand, most dealers have head in sand, and the cracks grow. At least we can freely share information here on TBN.

Joe, no offense but it seems this issue has taken over a significant part of the Kioti forum (my opinion anyway). I always loved visiting the forum, learning great things (where are you KiotiJohn?) and sharing information.

While I wholeheartedly agree that this matter is shameful and hurts Kioti's reputation, internal griping accomplishes what? Sharing the pain? Knocking Kioti some more? They have done little to date, what makes anyone think this will prompt them to do more?

I notice less useful information shared on the Kioti forum since the loader crack issue began and took on it's own life. Dealer input appears to have diminished (again my opinion). I said it earlier in this thread, I would prefer it if the moderators created a "Loader Crack" sub-forum and gave the rest of us (not affected owners) a break.

I hope no one is offended by my comments but I felt it was time to voice my opinion. Maybe (maybe not) others will join in and help get this forum back on track. It is not my intent to "attack" anyone, I'm just venting and hope everyone understands.

I sympathize with all affected owners and sincerely hope that Kioti steps up and resolves the problem, but beating it to death every day does little.

[IslandTractor]

Originally Posted by kentrodngun

Joe, no offense but it seems this issue has taken over a significant part of the Kioti forum (my opinion anyway). .....
While I wholeheartedly agree that this matter is shameful and hurts Kioti's reputation, internal griping accomplishes what? Sharing the pain? Knocking Kioti some more? They have done little to date, what makes anyone think this will prompt them to do more?........ Dealer input appears to have diminished (again my opinion). .....I sympathize with all affected owners and sincerely hope that Kioti steps up and resolves the problem, but beating it to death every day does little.

I clearly have to side with Joe. It doesn't make sense to try to stop discussion on something is frankly deserves to be the number one issue on the Kioti forum. It is concern for a lot of KL130 owners who still haven't received a fix. It sadly demonstrates that Kioti is not learning to do better customer service or perhaps more accurately public relations. I agree with you that dealers are less likely to post these days...partly because they don't want to get in the middle of a bunch of CK owners who gripe about still unresolved Kioti warranty issues the dealers themselves are helpless to influence.

This has been a big black eye for Kioti. They make fine tractors and just have really muddled the response to the loader issue very badly. One would hope that this experience helps them understand the need for a different type of response the next time there is such an issue but the continued "head in the sand" approach does not bode well.

This issue doesn't get beaten to death every day. It goes without discussion for at least a month or so at a time then resurfaces. It typically comes up after some reasonable question (most recently from new buyers who are getting the original older loaders still) and people vent again. This issue will die a very natural and long awaited death sometime AFTER Kioti fixes the problems. I doubt it will die before then regardless of what annoyance or damage it causes. I personally would love to see a final "Kioti Loader Issue RIP" thread but it may be a while in coming. In the end, it is really up to Kioti to provide an adequate reason to terminate this seemingly endless discussion and not a matter for self or group censorship.

[Mastertech]

With only 3 or 4 total posts a day average on this board, I don't think any thing is getting over commented on ( said in jest not to be critical!)

[Dodgeram]

Still going at it?
Let's see if we can get an idea how large this problem really is:
This is for folks who currently own either a KL-120 or KL130.

1) Loader #
2) Hours
3) Does/did it have cracks
4) Has the fix been applied

I know folks have attempted to get information from this forum before, Becky @ Batchelders comes to mind, and a couple of members shot her down (later asking her for help ). I expect the same folks to complain about this request.

This is not scientific, and I'm not looking for opinions on whether Kioti is right in their handling of the matter, I am curious about the numbers.

I'll start:
1) KL130
2) 220Hrs
3) No Cracks
4) No fix required

Tom

[Dmace]

1) KL120
2) 280 hours
3) Had four 1" long cracks at bolt holes
4) Dealer installed kit 50 hrs ago - cracks have not grown since and I still have a higher lift capacity than your 20hp tractor.

[DK35vince]

If Kioti would have resolved the loader issue in the beginning (like they should have), it wouldn't still be at the top of the discussion list like it is today.
Nobodys fault but their own..

[HODAK]

I happen to own the KL130 arms and the KL130B arms. Cracks developed on the KL130's at approximately 130 hours. Bought new (KL130B's) and installed myself. Presently at 296 hours. Rick and Amy assisted me when I made this choice. Again, my choice and I am a satisfied with my decision.

In my opinion, dealers are stuck in the middle and should truly be disappointed with the way KIOTI handled this issue. I'm hanging on to the old arms for a while longer just in case there would be a new development...... It sure is nice to hop on the tractor and not think about the cracks extending.

I sympathize with those that are tired of reading about this issue also, but I expect to be reading about it for quite some time. Even if KIOTI were to take action with the owners that couldn't be fitted with a kit, this issue will be around for a long time and will most likely affect future sales. The difference with this issue and issues that other brands encounter is the way they were handled.

As I get older, (and hopefully wiser), my thoughts about tractors seem to show me in a cab unit and it will be tough to forget about the loader issue and KIOTI. If there were to be future issues, have they learned anything? I hope so.

Let's not forget about how you explain to your better half that the "new" tractor has cracks - that was a good one. Oh well, it's fixed now........