Kioti - Good, Bad or Indifferent

[Justaplain]

Just got thru replacing all the bolts that hold the 1450 loader on my DK35. The book that came with the loader and tractor{new} called for 6 on a side. After pulling the whole frame we could find only 3 12x60's on each side {part #0569-2362} Can any of you dealers tell me how to find where the other 8 14x40s {#0549-2396} THAT ARE SHOWN IN MY BOOK GO?? . This is the same loader that the dealer would not take in trade for a new Rhino. The tractor is great but the loader is a 4000 Dollar boat anchor. bcs

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Did you tell all of the buyers that the seat mounting has a problem and may crack on some models? Of course you do.

In fairness the seat mount that cracked has been reported here on TBN less than a handful of times. The tractor is a very popular tractor and it is probably fair to say that the TC21/24 series tractors have sold more units that all the models of Kioti combined sell in a year, but there have only been a couple reports of this. Not really sure it falls into the same category.

Misleading? Whats misleading is leading someone on and telling them that a rather seriuous problem is somthing to ignore. Who knows, maybe the "fix" will be a hack job like was done to Highbeams tractor. It surly is reason to be cautious until you know what your getting into.

In fairness to Kioti, it is probably not a very good assumption to suggest that the "fix" will be a hack job. There is no question that the work done to Highbeam's loader was a hack job, but it seems like Kioti should be given the benifit of the doubt that it will come up with a professional repair to the loader. The loader is a nice design, I expect the repair, when it is available, will be representative of that design.

While I am confident that Kioti will be able to fix our cracking loaders I also would have a very hard time buying, or selling, a Kioti loader until the issue is resolved.

That is probably prudent, but I also would say that when the loader repair comes out, it would be hard not to recommend the loader when it is appropriate.

 

[rback33]

Misleading? Whats misleading is leading someone on and telling them that a rather seriuous problem is somthing to ignore. Who knows, maybe the "fix" will be a hack job like was done to Highbeams tractor. It surly is reason to be cautious until you know what your getting into.

Now Neil... I can agree to disagree, which we often do, but let's be real... I did not use the word ignore anywhere in my post. Nor did I imply it. I ACTUALLY implied that I would buy the tractor and Loader KNOWING there is a problem and KNOWING Kioti would take care of it properly when they release the "fix." For crying out loud.. since lots of people know the truth via PM's I'll open the bag... I work for a loader manufacturer... not the one that builds the KL130 obviously since it's Korean, but a loader manufacturer none the less. I work with Kioti in some way on a daily basis. I know very little about this specific issure other than they have been working on a resolution. I have not talked to anyone there about the issue in quite some time. Really, it's none of my business. The truth is they (consumer) are still buying a good product with a small design flaw. The chances of a catastrohic failure of that loader are nill.

 

[Dodgeram]

"In fairness the seat mount that cracked has been reported here on TBN less than a handful of times. The tractor is a very popular tractor and it is probably fair to say that the TC21/24 series tractors have sold more units that all the models of Kioti combined sell in a year, but there have only been a couple reports of this. Not really sure it falls into the same category"

With all due respect Bob, this to me would be a much larger issue than a cracked loader, no matter how many units were sold. Car manufacturers recall hundreds of thousands of vehicles for "..a couple of reports.." when safety is an issue.

As I've questioned Neil about the problem with the B3030, and only in the Kioti Forum, and not received a response, what is your take on the B3030 starting in gear issue? I understand Kubota issued new fender stickers to let the owners know there is a problem, but are they working on a permanant fix?

Also, and you may know the answer, does Kubota intend a recall all of the BX24's because of the plastic fender cracking. Or, as I understand it, "repair the fenders" under warranty when reported? What happens when the units go out of warranty?

Hmmm. maybe I should go over to the respective Buying Forums and say I'd never buy a Kubota BX-24, or B3030 or NH TC21 because of the reported problems I've "read" about. It ain't gonna happen. I guess this is what ticks me off about the people who come over here and pretty much infer that the KL-130 is a piece of cr... because they "read" some loaders were cracking. I own one, and it HAS NOT cracked.

Ok, off the soapbox.
Tom

 

[Bob_Skurka]

With all due respect Bob, this to me would be a much larger issue than a cracked loader, no matter how many units were sold. Car manufacturers recall hundreds of thousands of vehicles for "..a couple of reports.." when safety is an issue.

Well I happen to own one of that particular model, the issue is not a safety issue. The seat mount is bolted to a piece of sheet steel, that piece of sheet steel, on a couple tractors has started to cracked. It might make the seat wobble a bit if it got too bad, but it is not a big deal to replace. I'd guess that excess weight of the operator(?) or an operator rocking excessively might be the cause? I really don't know. But the seat belt would still hold you into the seat because it attaches at different points so even in an extreme case, the belt would hold you and the seat on the tractor. Seriously I think you need to take a look at it. It's not what you make it out to be.

what is your take on the B3030 starting in gear issue?

Honestly I don't know about it. But if they issued a decal as you suggest while they work on a fix, that is pretty speedy response. First, they acknowledged the problem, second they responded in 2 ways, one with a sticker to warn you every time you use the tractor, and another by saying they are working on a fix. That doesn't sound like it is anything other than 'responsible' to me. I'd give them credit for that. At least they admitted the problem, and apparently they did it quickly and followed up with 2 courses of action; that is more than some of their competitors have done.

does Kubota intend a recall all of the BX24's because of the plastic fender cracking.

I would doubt it. Nor should they. No more than any other brand would. If you dent the metal fender of your tractor would you expect the brand to recall your tractor to fix your dent? Obviously not. Why would a cracked plastic fender be different than a dented fender?

.

I defended Kioti in this thread and suggested that Neil over stated. I also suggest that you are over stating things and doing exactly what Neil did. What I think is appropriate is for people to remain reasonably objective. Neil did not and I think he was somewhat unfair in the wording he used.

 

[Hard]

Since there is an admitted cracking problem with Kioti loader why buy it. Spend your hard earned money on a compatible loader from another manufacturer without the cracking flaw. The CK is a nice tractor but don't buy the Kioti loader. Why buy a potencial problem that there is not even a good fix for yet, unless you count the repair highbeam received as a good fix.

 

[Highbeam]

"If you dent the metal fender of your tractor would you expect the brand to recall your tractor to fix your dent?"

Wouldn't that be grand. I have a few dents that I would like to go away. Those dang curly-q cedar branches like to reach up and bite sheet metal.

 

[Dodgeram]

"Seriously I think you need to take a look at it. It's not what you make it out to be"

Great point Bob. I have no first hand knowledge about the severity of the seat cracking (Only what I read). I don't own the unit and have only sat on one.

I also have no first hand knowledge of the B3030 issue (but I read it on TBN). I did test one before I bought the Kioti.

So I guess you're right " It's not what you make it out to be".

I also don't go over to the respective forums and post nonsense about things I've read (and have no 1st hand knowledge of.) Hint...Hint...Hint

BTW, and this is for that Cub Cadet guy, MY LOADER HAS NO CRACKS.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Great point Bob. I have no first hand knowledge about the severity of the seat cracking (Only what I read). . .

I also have no first hand knowledge of the B3030 issue (but I read it on TBN).

And it is valid to "read it on TBN" and take it as a problem if there is a pattern of similar reports. Reports here on TBN are just as valid as reports in commercial magazines such as Consumer Reports or in surveys such as JD Powers. The key is not to get bent out of shape when there the incident reports are very isolated. On the other hand, if the reports appear to be fairly common, then it should cause someone a reasonable level of concern.

No matter what the problem, there will always be some folks who have the problem, and there will always be some folks who don't have the problem. The real issue to potential buyers should be 'how common' is the problem, along with 'how serious' is the problem, along with such things as how is the problem being acknowledged or ignored, and what steps are being taken to fix it if it turns out to be a real problem.

Wouldn't that be grand. I have a few dents that I would like to go away. Those dang curly-q cedar branches like to reach up and bite sheet metal.

I agree! I don't have cedar but I'd gladly have the manufacturers replace my tires because the Hawthorn trees puncture them. And while we are at it, the shoe manufacturers should replace the soles of my shoes because I've had a few hawthorn barbs go right through the bottoms of a couple pairs

 

[Dodgeram]

TBN wouldn't let me post my last response.
So be it.
I will now join Kioti John in exile.
Tom