Broken weld...

[Mowbizz]

Found one of my ROPS tightening knobs was not tightening...unscrewed it all the way and the threaded insert which was welded to the inside of the ROPS tube had come un-welded. Anyone have this happen? I know it's not a huge problem but now I have one side of the ROPS which can't be tightened by the knob. I will eventually, bring the part to my dealer to see what they say about it, but other than ordering a new ROPS I'm not sure what can be done as I can't weld and how would you do this anyway with the weld being inside the tube? There may be other solutions like some kind of clip that will accept the knob but I haven't looked into anything yet...was just wondering if anyone had this happen to their ROPS knob?

 

[gwdixon]

Haven't heard of it before, although it could happen easily enough.

I notice your tractor is a 2014 model so it should be under warranty and should be repaired by the dealer without a charge.

Also, since it is a safety issue, Kubota has a vested interest in getting it repaired to avoid the possibility of a lawsuit in case of injury.

If you pursue this matter, it is very likely that you will be able to have it fixed by Kubota.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

On my BX24, the knobs are to keep things from rattling, not for securing the ROPS in the up position. There are pins for that. Is it different on the 25D?

Z.

 

[RaydaKub]

If you pursue this matter, it is very likely that you will be able to have it fixed by Kubota.

And they might want this one back to analyze the defect so it doesn't happen again.

 

[Scooby074]

You still got both pins right?

Thats what makes the ROPS strong, not some 1/4-20(?) screws. I never tighten the screws anyways.

 

[Mowbizz]

Went to the Kubota dealer and the service guy said they would pick the tractor up fix the weld then drop the tractor off the following day...covered by warranty.
Can't beat that for service...I just hope the pickup day doesn't have any storms forecast for the next 2 days! I hate being without my BX!

 

[Mowbizz]

You still got both pins right?

Thats what makes the ROPS strong, not some 1/4-20(?) screws. I never tighten the screws anyways.

The pins are fine...still have them although there was a hole alignment problem on the side that broke...was making it difficult to slide the pin into place...thought maybe it was because I couldn't tighten it with the knob.

 

[Mowbizz]

On my BX24, the knobs are to keep things from rattling, not for securing the ROPS in the up position. There are pins for that. Is it different on the 25D?

Z.

Nope...no different on the BX25D

 

[Mowbizz]

Update...My BX is at the dealer now for the broken weld and I told them to go ahead and put a block heater in while she was there...with temps going well below zero this week, it will see some use! I HATE being without my tractor!

 

[dragoneggs]

Update...My BX is at the dealer now for the broken weld and I told them to go ahead and put a block heater in while she was there...with temps going well below zero this week, it will see some use! I HATE being without my tractor!

Well that is using your noggin! I would probably think of that just after picking the tractor up!

 

[Mowbizz]

Well, the tractor is back home with the block heater and fixed ROPS weld...had 12 below zero on the thermometer yesterday morning with 30 below wind chils that the BX sat outside in all night so I plugged the heater in and went to the dealer to pay my bill for the block heater. Got home and unplugged the heater and the tractor started like it was a summer day! Okay...time to fetch wood from my woodpile down the driveway...got a third of the way there and the tractor stumbled like it was starving for fuel and died...wouldn't start for nothing. Towed it up to the house and pushed it into the garage and slid a little space heater under the lower filter/fuel line and left it on overnight. My truck had to stay outside for the night. This morning with a fresh 3 inch snowfall on the ground, I went to the garage and she started up with no stumbling and I worked the BX for 4 hours straight clearing snow and clearing all my outside spaces that the tractor fits into...NEXT, I rearranged the garage so I can now park the BX (with BH and FEL) in there with 2 vehicles, 2 snow blowers and a Polaris Sportsman with plow...tight, but it fits! Must have had some gelling in the fuel line that froze in the frigid night...All okay for now.

 

[ccsial]

I run the white bottle of power service in my fuel. Have not had a problem up to -20. Never got any colder than that here.

If you are using bio diesel be aware that it gels easier. My fuel supplier told me that.

 

[Mowbizz]

I run the white bottle of power service in my fuel. Have not had a problem up to -20. Never got any colder than that here.

If you are using bio diesel be aware that it gels easier. My fuel supplier told me that.

Not that I know of...I buy my diesel at Irving stations. I have a bottle of that "white" diesel treatment and I used to use that on my BX24 years ago...never a fuel problem then. Think I'll just use that instead of the fancy clear bottle with the gold colored liquid inside...I forget the name of it at the moment but it was expensive!