Oil & Fuel Can't Believe This Happened

[BlacknTan]

Called the Sheriff and reported a vandalism to my tractor. The plug had marks on it like someone had used a crescent wrench or pliers. I also notified KTAC insurance and submitted a claim. The dealer came out with a trailer and winch and we got it loaded up and to his shop.
I'll keep you informed. Thanks for all the comments. Hopefully we can all use this as a learning experience.

Hope it all turns out OK for 'ya!!

 

[Redbug]

That could have happened to any of us. If the nut were loose to begin with, I think Rockin would have seen some drips of oil on the cement or ground before getting on the tractor. I usually take a quick look around before starting something, like most of us all do. That's an odd one. Let us know what happens, Rockin.

 

[Scooby074]

Wow, this guy could have major trouble with his, new to him, tractor and he gets a lecture like that. He has more control than I. I would have told you to go **** yourself.

Like i give a F/

 

[kootch88]

Wow, how depressing. I check my fluids about every other use, but my usage tends to be 3 - 4 hours at a time at most. Guess I have to go check it right now!!

 

[Jagged1]

Wow talk about bad luck... Vandalism or accident, either way I feel for you. I never really thought about no low oil shutdown on our tractor....

Our Cubcadet lawn mower has something called "Oil Sentry" that I believe is some type of low oil shutdown, but I'm not sure what our Kioti CK20s has. Probably and idiot light which would do nothing for a total loss due to a drain plug. All a light is good for is a slow leak and then it's still iffy as to preventing damage. Really what good is a light in this situation, when your focused on maneuvering the tractor and not staring at the dash? Might as well call it a "your engine is seized light!" It could light up a dollar sign just to rub it in

We just got our CK20s and the dealer put the darn 3pt arms with the bolt facing outwards towards the tires instead of the head. It rubbed a little but didn't seem to do much to the tire; it could have over time though. Really makes me want to double check any other work they do on the tractor! Including the drain plugs.

Well, this has been a learning experience that's for sure; heck a lawn mower is throw away compared to the cost of fixing a tractor.

Anyway I hope you have a good outcome and resolve things without a huge bill on your end. I second all the calls to check our own drain plugs... Makes me want to re-torque everything on the tractor and be more diligent with checking fluids and well everything else.

Later, Glen

 

[crazyal]

If, ask Rockin says he does, he checked his oil before using the tractor and the plug and had been loose the entire time then it would have been low on oil and he would have noticed it. Oil would have leaked out around the threads. This is the work of someone with less than honorable intentions. Sad that to someone would think this was fun to do.

What's really needed is a low oil pressure switch. Something that'll shut the engine down before any damage is done.

 

[257NH]

I agree,if I had a bolt going into an aluminum anything I would use the torque wrench.Way to easy to strip something like that out.
Brian

 

[Jagged1]

What's really needed is a low oil pressure switch. Something that'll shut the engine down before any damage is done.

Yes, That's what the "Oil Sentry" on my old CubCadet lawn tractor with a Kohler engine does (or is supposed to do; I've never actually tried it). It will kill the engine if the oil level is below a certain point. You'd think a real tractor would have such a thing as well. Maybe there is a good reason but you would think they'd be able to engineer something besides a silly light that just tells you it's too late! :thumbdown:

With all the safety shutdown garbage on my old Cub I have fun trying to figure out why when it wont start or stay running. It's nice when all the switches and sensors are working but it's no fun trying to figure it out when one doesn't. :laughing:

Maybe we just need another government agency to check our drain plugs and oil level and make us buy fuel cans that don't let the fuel out! They can call it The Federal Dept of Lubed Rear Ends... :drink: It could be a part of the EPA (aka the Employment Prevention Agency)

Anyways enough jokin, I'll say a prayer for a good outcome for you; and if you DO think it was vandals please check everything else you can think of as well. It'd be odd if that was the only bad thing they did. That's way beyond a prank!

Oh, You may want to look into some type of simple security warning system. Like a couple of motion sensor lights where you store it; or we have a couple of those driveway sensors from harbor freight that work well if you're house is not too far away. We have several out in our yard and if something walks/moves in front of it, it sets off a doorbell like receiver in the house. They're like $15 on sale at Harbor Freight and use a 9v on the transmitter and a couple C batteries in the receiver. Get a couple on the same channel and it will set off the same receiver.

They do have false alarms here and there (wandering deer and such) but it's worth it to know when someone pulls into the drive or is near the barns. Cheap warning if you don't want or have a dog to change peoples minds. At least you'll know they're there! I'm sure they make better ones too if you're more than 100' or whatever the range is.

Again, Good Luck

 

[MHarryE]

Not to likely a piece of mobile equipment has a shut down. Many years ago a farm equipment company put Murphy switches on their machinery. Combine stopped on railroad tracks and got hit. Driver survived to say what happened and to sue. Payout was enormous. Word got around quickly and Murphy switches have been relegated to stationary power units. At my last company standard was low oil pressure = light plus warning horn. Standard manual statement to stop as quickly as you could safely do so. Lots of lower priced Cat equipment goes as rental first with used sales to end users (like my mini-excavator). Warnings of different importance levels for hydro charge pressure, hydraulic oil temperature, hydraulic filter plugging, fuel filter plugging, that I would like on my tractor but I suppose they want to save money. Rentals get abused so lots of brought lights and audible warnings with few gauges. Rental drivers don't often know what the gauge reading is supposed to be but unless they are deaf, they understand a 100 dBA alarm even with ear protection.

 

[zzvyb6]

I don't see how checking fluids before a start can really help. Its a feel good thing for sure, especially if you are burning the oil. My JD doesn't leak anything until the plug drops out. I'd expect an overheat arm buzzer to maybe sound off just before it locked up.

If it just got tight, I'd put some fogging oil in there, say a prayer and roll it down an incline after I put the plug back in, added some oil and covered the top end with it, too. If it got really hot, wouldn't the hydraulic oil be cooked, too?

If it was tampered with, I'd look for problems on other machines, too.