FEL pistons housing hits FEL arm(s)

[tommu56]

maybe the loaders are the same mfg or copy of one mfg including errors.

just like the

the B-29 clone the Russian TU-4

http://www.rb-29.net/HTML/03RelatedStories/03.03shortstories/03.03.10contss.htm

tom

 

[Gary Fowler]

Most likely it is a fabrication error on the FEL. Someone likely laid out the attachment point for the hydraulic cylinder just a little bit off on one end or the other and that is allowing the cylinder to extend just a little too far. or the opposite end is made too close. You could either cut off the attachment point and move it back or up or disassemble the cylinder and shim it so it wont extend far enough to bind. One would think that the dealer would correct this for you at no charge if it is a new machine.

 

[Coyote machine]

Yes, I'm looking for the dealer/manufacturer to handle it under warranty. Just have concerns that they will try to or will kiss me off under something like operator error, just to avoid the expense of taking care of it, or because if they do it for me they will be doing it for many.

Any thoughts on how to try to get them to honor it under warranty?

 

[3RRL]

Tom,
Thanks!
I found the thread, or should say went to it after you found it for me and read the entire thing.
It confirms what I already thought- possibly the wrong length pistons were installed when the fel was assembled, or something similar. I doubt Kioti missed it completely as an engineering error like in the thread, but I suppose that is possible too.
One way or another it has to be remmied, I have sustained some amount of damage already and am glad I caught it before the pistons bent or worse.

I'm glad Tom pointed you to the right thread.
I was going to provide it but I see he beat me to it (what's new). Anyway, the damage might not be limited to the loader arms, but to bent cylinder rods as well? An important thing to remember is to add heavy duty physical stops to the bucket curl/dump travel. My wife's loader had neither. I ended up setting the cylinders so that there was a little left to "suck up" or extend. That way the cylinders themselves are not reaching their maximum travel internally, and always have good force at the very end of the curl or dump. My Koyker loader was set up that way on my Kama. So even if you don't change the attachment points, be sure to consider the stops.
Rob-

 

[tommu56]

I'm glad Tom pointed you to the right thread.
I was going to provide it but I see he beat me to it (what's new). Anyway, the damage might not be limited to the loader arms, but to bent cylinder rods as well? An important thing to remember is to add heavy duty physical stops to the bucket curl/dump travel. My wife's loader had neither. I ended up setting the cylinders so that there was a little left to "suck up" or extend. That way the cylinders themselves are not reaching their maximum travel internally, and always have good force at the very end of the curl or dump. My Koyker loader was set up that way on my Kama. So even if you don't change the attachment points, be sure to consider the stops.
Rob-

Rob
I was just unlucky to get the short straw and had to do a week of night shift (6:00 pm to 6:00 am) covering the brake downs and notin broke for once it was a long boring night.

tom

 

[Coyote machine]

Spoke to dealer and he says that if I was backblading and had the bucket locked against the QA stops then the damage is operator error due to not supposed to use it in that fashion.
He says Kioti is highly unlikely to cover it, and replacing the fel arm assy, would cost them probably about $1K and they would not want to pay that. He says I should have them come pick it up and they will take a look at it- that "he'll take care of me" I think that means he will fix the problem and bill me for it and for shipping both ways.
I'm considering having another guy who does this type of welding come look at it and decide what he would do to fix it for me out of pocket. It might be a better and possibly less expensive routine.
I don't know what to think
What would any of you do in this situation?
Ideally, I'd like to have Kioti cover it under warranty.

 

[tydp]

IF you did not do as the dealer suggests, then it is theirs to fix. Sounds like he is already "crawfishing" by "taking care of you." I would insist it gets fixed under warranty. Something is sure amiss here. Good luck....

 

[Leejohn]

Are all 4 cyls. the same? If not they might of got switched around. If they are the same, let the dealer pick it up.

 

[Coyote machine]

At long last here are the pics and an explanation of what they are about:
First pic is the left fel arm in the raised and curled position, viewed from in front of the tractor.
Second pic is the other side, same position and view.
Note in both pics the black item/plate is the QA plate pushed in on both pics at the bottom of the plate, and the end of the fel arm (orange rectangular tubing) just below it; with the end of the fel tubing all mangled up on both sides.
Third pic is with the bucket overhead shooting the 1/2moon brackets from underneath, against the sky as background. This shows the twisting of the 1/2 moon plates on the left side of the fel arm.

Last pics is under right side fel arm in the full 'dump' position. This shows how the Q A plate is bent, and where it hits on the stop that is supposed to stop and damage like this from occurring.

I've got many more pics, but I think this represents what is going on, and the damage done.

Comments, ideas, suggestions.....

 

[tommu56]

here is a marked up picture

tom