BX air cleaner bracket

[RaydaKub]

I've heard that others have had their air cleaner come loose, but where do they typically break? I would assume it would be the "hose clamp" around the cleaner, but that's not where mine broke. There is a large hole down toward the bottom for some fuel pump bolt. Mine snapped off both sides.

Messick's catalog says this stupid bracket is over $80. The whole bloody air cleaner is only $56. Why is this darn thing so expensive? I replaced all 3 hydraulic pipes for $96 last fall. I can't imagine why this bracket costs any more than ONE of those pipes.

Gonna see if the neighbor can weld it up for me and put on a little extra material to boot.

 

[gwdixon]

I've heard that others have had their air cleaner come loose, but where do they typically break? I would assume it would be the "hose clamp" around the cleaner, but that's not where mine broke. There is a large hole down toward the bottom for some fuel pump bolt. Mine snapped off both sides.

Messick's catalog says this stupid bracket is over $80. The whole bloody air cleaner is only $56. Why is this darn thing so expensive? I replaced all 3 hydraulic pipes for $96 last fall. I can't imagine why this bracket costs any more than ONE of those pipes.

Gonna see if the neighbor can weld it up for me and put on a little extra material to boot.

That is what I did and it is holding well so far. Mine broke in various places - the strap where it goes from thick to thin and the base where the two nuts bolt it to the engine (a couple of times). Finally redid the base as one piece bolted to the engine and then welded the stock bracket to that.

 

[RaydaKub]

That is what I did and it is holding well so far. Mine broke in various places - the strap where it goes from thick to thin and the base where the two nuts bolt it to the engine (a couple of times). Finally redid the base as one piece bolted to the engine and then welded the stock bracket to that.

Took me just a few minutes to get it off. I didn't even remove my FEL. The bolts around the cleaner were unbelievably tight, probably twice as much torque as the 3 bolts to the engine. As I took the 2 pieces in my hand and walked out of the garage, my neighbor drove up. He'll try to get it welded tomorrow and add a strap on the back of each side. You could just about double the thickness there w/o causing any issues.

I thought about just running with the air cleaner hanging loose tonight, but the throttle cable is mounted on the end of the bracket. Guess I'll have to wait.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I fixed mine by replacing the strap around the aircleaner with a plastic ziptie. Still holding after many years.
larry

 

[RaydaKub]

I fixed mine by replacing the strap around the aircleaner with a plastic ziptie. Still holding after many years.
larry

If that part was broken, I would do that also. But mine broke down near the base of the bracket!

 

[SPYDERLK]

If that part was broken, I would do that also. But mine broke down near the base of the bracket!

So, assuming that bracket is similar to mine, it would appear Kubota responded to the straps breaking by strengthening the strap but not the bracket. This concentrated more vibe stress on the bracket, hence bracket failures. A zip tie fix kit would have worked. People would have laughed and called them mickey mouse. Instead they did something impressive looking and screwed up.
larry

 

[RaydaKub]

Got it back and thrown together. Back running and ready to work. Maybe not the prettiest weld, but it should hold a good long spell.

View attachment 271181

 

[ericher69]

Got it back and thrown together. Back running and ready to work. Maybe not the prettiest weld, but it should hold a good long spell.
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=271180"/>
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=271181"/>

Should do the trick!

What type of welder did your neighbor use? Oxy acetylene looks rough

 

[RaydaKub]

He has a small 120V wire feed welder, not sure of the brand. He keeps it in his pickup so he can fix in the field.

 

[techman]

Mine broke the first time and I replaced it. The replacement was the newer design "heavy duty" design. It was heavier, and lasted longer than the original bracket, but it broke as well at one of the ends mounted to the engine. I had it welded up (broke on a weekend and needed the tractor) and the welded fix is now several years old without problem. The break occurred where the metal was bent, and I suspect that welding it also led to stress relieving the metal at the bend.

paul