Adding stiffener to FEL

[jsmk]

I recently broke two brackets on the left front side of my KL130 FEL on my CK30HST. A pin fell out and I didn't notice it soon enough.

I ordered new parts from dealer and the guy there mentioned that some people have welded a stiffener to them.

Has anyone done this or heard of anyone doing it?

Here's a picture of mine.

 

[Highbeam]

There is no plague of reports about that bracket cracking. Many of us have used and tested this loader thoroughly over the years and that particular spot seems to be just fine.

It would look bad and negatively effect the resale value. If it were to ever break again, replacement appears to be cheap and easy.

 

[Mousefield]

Glad you are able to get parts, doesn't look like a big expensive fix.
I do, but not always, try to have a quick look at the tractor for any missing or loose bolts, pins etc.
Thanks for posting the pic. :thumbsup:

 

[lakngulf]

I do, but not always, try to have a quick look at the tractor for any missing or loose bolts, pins etc.

That is a good practice. I should be more consistent with that as well. I was bushhogging recently, and suddenly I could not change gears. The gear stick was quite loose. With some persistence I could get it into gear. When I did I left it there and headed for my truck. Unfortunately, it was gear 1 that I was able to get. That is a slow pace for sure.

Looked underneath and found that a pin had broken in the gear linkage. A large nail turned out to be a good replacement part. So good that I keep forgetting to look for a new pin at the store.

 

[IslandTractor]

Sorry about your accident. I agree with Highbeam that these failures are rare. Never heard of one before and I've been following the forum for about five years.

I have no idea if Kioti has replacement parts for something like this. I would presume so but if they don't, it would be easy to take off the parts on the other side and have a local welding/fabrication shop make you up a new set. No reason to stiffen them just make sure the pin stays in place.

 

[VictorW]

I've had my CK30hst with KL130 loader for six years now. I've picked up loads that I'm sure were the max for the fel because it's working hard either curling or lifting and sometimes just won't move. My "L" brackets/arms show no signs of deformation. If the pins stay in and load those brackets evenly, the hydraulic relief valve will kick in before you break or bend them.

 

[jsmk]

Thanks for all the input. I don't look at this as a weakness of the tractor. Those little hinge pins seem to fall out pretty easy in brush and I am pretty sure the pin was in when I started working that day, but when the main pin fall out I didn't noticed until the bucket started responding differently. Too late at that point. I think I may safety wire some of the hinge pins to keep them in place and protect the main pins.

My main question about adding stiffener was generated by the parts guy. I figured if this was a weakness with the FEL I would find out quickly here. I agree that is unlikely this part will break as long as the hardware is in place, so I will just replace the parts and keep an eye the hardware.

 

[Alien]

The CK30 comes out with a different FEL here. Haven't had or heard of any probs with them at all.

 

[PA hayseed]

I don't have your exact tractor, but I have beaten the snot out of my FEL on my 45, mainly hauling large pieces of sandstone. It is bent in several areas, but the brackets are fine. I would look at putting a better retention method on there if your pins are popping out. My original pins on my RFM kept coming off the wheels, I replaced them, and replace them again every summer.

Lots of people modify their rigs, it may benefit you if you are pushing the envelop often. I don't know about voiding the warranty though.

 

[Coyote machine]

I reinforced the exact brackets you broke on my DK-35 and proceeded to bend them too after little use. If you strengthen them something else will give way from the strain. If you just replace them with new ones and keep the pins in place your FEL will stop at the designed load capacity. Your's was a fluke situation; don't over-think it into a problem that didn't previously exist.