Hang on, this ain’t going to be pretty

[KiotiOrange]

So the sun is shining, I’ve replaced the leaking hydraulic pump an line and it’s time to get some work done on the tree stump removal project.

After a few hours of good work and quite a bit of progress, I notice the BH seems to be getting pretty jumpy. Then the SO signals that something doesn’t appear to be quite right. I shut everything down and ask her what the problem is. She points to the left side of the BH sub frame diagonal brace and says “That bolt is spinning like crazy.”

 

[KiotiOrange]

She must be exaggerating. No such luck. The nut has come loose on the bolt and the whole thing is spinning freely. That explains the rough ride. Time to pull onto the drive and take inventory of fasteners.

 

[KiotiOrange]

I think I got a Friday tractor. Examination of the BH sub frame shows that only three (3) of the large bolts holding the BH to the frame have lockwashers. Everything else is loose. I means REALLY loose, and one bolt is just plain gone.

 

[KiotiOrange]

Home with the new hardware. Interesting thing, the Kioti is all metric, and TSC only sells SAE hardware. Gotta buy nuts to go on the bolts. I bought some Loctite blue to hold everything together and decide that enough is enough for one day. I’ll make the repairs Monday evening after working the real job.

 

[KiotiOrange]

Monday night and I’ve replaced the missing/messed up hardware, Loctited everything without a lockwasher, torqued things the best I can and now I’m off to continue BH work.

After about an hour the BH is starting to feel wobbly again. Look down under my left foot and sure enough, the bolt is loose again. Everything I just replaced is loose, again. And I noticed that the sub frame has been flexing so badly the seat has been smashing into the electrical connector on back of the tractor.

 

[KiotiOrange]

More damage from the flexing frame.

 

[KiotiOrange]

I’ve had more time buying parts for and fixing this machine than I feel is reasonable. If my new car were this much trouble I’d have the dealer’s head for dinner. I’m going to call Carver n the A.M. and inform them of my difficulties and then I’m going to arrange to have a local dealer go over every inch of this thing with a fine tooth comb. If it’s loose I want it torqued, leaking I want it fixed.

I hope this can be taken care of quickly. The weather is finally good enough to get outside and do things. That’s probably why this is all so frustrating.

I’ll keep you all posted.

 

[powerstroke2000]

that looks like a dealer problem not the factory

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Its a shame. Every brand has a problem, looks like you got your share. Carver Equipment has a great reputation, I'm a bit surprised that you got a machine missing some bolts and lock washers. I suspect that those things might not have been attached by Carver simply because their reputation on this board is pretty much excellent. What concerns me most is the flexing. Is it possible that is due to the missing and loose bolts? If the flexing is not due to the missing bolts then what do you think is causing it? I strongly suggest you get the tractor into a dealer, I'd want Carver to do it (and it might be nice if you got a loaner tractor while yours is in their shop) but if you feel comfortable with your local guy's service team despite your feelings for their sales team, then go local.

 

[KiotiOrange]

Bob_Skurka,

Please don't misunderstand, I think Carver is great. They have been there for me everytime I've needed anything. Even Saturday while installing the hydro pump I called on the off chance I would catch someone in the service department to clarify something, and Tim was there and helped out as usual.

My concern is that the factory may have gotten sloppy (hence the "Monday" reference) and just missed a few important pieces.

I live over 250 miles away from Carver and have another local much closer. It can't hurt to have them take a look, whether I deliver or they pickup. There is something SERIOUSLY not right and I want to get it addressed ASAP.

Once again, Carver has been great. This is not anything of their doing. Just too far away to be of immediate help with this situation.

KiotiOrange