Broken Koyker Loader

[kenmac]

Anyone else have a Koyker where the metal has broken away at the pins.
Wish I had taken a picture before I made the repairs.
I may be able get a pic of the repaired area tomorrow and get it posted

The metal was broken away from where the from where the bushing (that the pin goes through) is welded onto the arms.
It has happened to both sides. Repaired the other side about 6 months ago

 

[clemsonfor]

That sounds like a V3 loader problem? New welder made that one or an inexperienced guy?

 

[kenmac]

nope, it's a koyker. The weld didn't break, The metal broke away from the weld where the bushing welds to the loader bracket. The metal isn't very thick on that loader bracket , maybe an 1/8'' thick

 

[clemsonfor]

I know you have a koyker, I'm saying it sounds like something you would expect to hear from the v2 or v3 owners.

So if the metal broke from the weld it sounds like it didn't penetrate adequate enough, unless I don't understand what your saying.

 

[kenmac]

yep, the metal broke around the weld. It's where the bushing is welded to the bracket for the lift arms. The metal appears to be only 10 ga. 1/8 thick

 

[California]

I've been reading to improve my welding skill.

One issue that isn't obvious is the 'HAZ', heat affected zone, adjacent to the weld which may go brittle and/or be stressed by expansion/contraction.

Does that description seem to fit? You might need to make some small plates to scab over the affected area, and it might be a good idea to have a pro welding shop attach them.

 

[kenmac]

I've been reading to improve my welding skill.

One issue that isn't obvious is the 'HAZ', heat affected zone, adjacent to the weld which may go brittle and/or be stressed by expansion/contraction.

Does that description seem to fit? You might need to make some small plates to scab over the affected area, and it might be a good idea to have a pro welding shop attach them.

Yes, it appears the affected area was weakened by the factory welds. Engineering issue ? LOL
In my previous life (long before I entered the HVAC /plumbing field) I was a welder by trade. So, I was able to weld the affected metal that had broken away from the bushing back in to the loader arm bracket.

If It fails again, I will make some braces and weld them to that area.

The metal in that area IMO isn't really thick enough for the amount of stress that can be placed on those areas.
When I build things, I tend to over engineer them. Has I designed these loader brackets, they would have been min. 1/4'' thick instead of 10 ga.

A pic of just one side. Both sides broke at the same spot and the same way