LA304FEL not level possible problem (pics)

[displacedPA]

Just an update:
dealer is coming by thurs. to take a look and or take it back to his shop. I did not call KTAC yet as I thought I should let the dealer make right on this.. If the repair is not sufficiant I will contact KTAC.

 

[TCJatko]

An observation: looking at the fifth picture in your original post, the hole in the loader plate seems considerably larger than the bolt hole. If this is the case, then without all bolts being extremely tight there is ample opportunity for the whole assembly to migrate under load, leading to bolt loosening. It strikes me that the holes in the plates should be very close to the same size as the bolts to prevent this possibility of movement. An engineering problem at Kubota, perhaps? Or maybe it's just the angle of the picture?

 

[bp fick]

The great thing about KTAC is that they also act as an extended warranty agent in this mix, as it is their money and they want their tractor right. I'd not be afraid to engage KTAC.

Man, this is sad. No good reason for it either.

I installed my own loader on my BX and I can tell you, this isn't brain surgery or rocket science. Basic mechanics. I'm really sorry to see this. It is entirely fixable as it was preventable.

Part of my fall routine is to service the tractor and go over stuff like this and check the torque. Actually, I'm glad you caught this before it got any worse and even more potential damage was done.

PS- I like to drop the FEL, get it out of the way and then go around and check the towers and mounting hardware.

 

[displacedPA]

An observation: looking at the fifth picture in your original post, the hole in the loader plate seems considerably larger than the bolt hole. If this is the case, then without all bolts being extremely tight there is ample opportunity for the whole assembly to migrate under load, leading to bolt loosening. It strikes me that the holes in the plates should be very close to the same size as the bolts to prevent this possibility of movement. An engineering problem at Kubota, perhaps? Or maybe it's just the angle of the picture?

That is a good observation about the hole size. I took that pic to show how the loader frame had shifted. However if you notice the other pics of the holes the frame has tighter holes and the frame has not shifted.

 

[displacedPA]

The great thing about KTAC is that they also act as an extended warranty agent in this mix, as it is their money and they want their tractor right. I'd not be afraid to engage KTAC.
check the towers and mounting hardware.

Im going to contact KTAC this afternoon. and tell them what all is going on. I think it is good advise BP. Even though the dealer is doing their part perhaps KTAC will insure new parts are used and or the housing is replaced on the tractor. perhaps even a new tractor and FEL? given the low hours on this unit?

 

[displacedPA]

Im going to contact KTAC this afternoon. and tell them what all is going on. I think it is good advise BP. Even though the dealer is doing their part perhaps KTAC will insure new parts are used and or the housing is replaced on the tractor. perhaps even a new tractor and FEL? given the low hours on this unit?

I contacted KTAC, They told me it would be covered under warranty if it is a manufacturing defect. I'm not sure that it is and that is not my call. I suppose the dealer will have to figure out if they want to make it a warranty claim or not. I have a claim number and they said someone will contact the dealer to see what they are going to do about it.

 

[RobertN]

The bolt in the picture looked ok; looks like the threads on the tractor are marginal now. Threadcert or similar would probably fix it, but is a poor answer on what appears to be a very new low hour tractor.

FWIW though, on my Kubota and NH both, I have found during my spring oil/filter/maintenance, I go over any bolts/nuts I see. Have found a loose one now and then. But these are 10+ year old tractors, one with 600 hours, the other 1400(sold the Kubota a while back...

 

[displacedPA]

The bolt in the picture looked ok; looks like the threads on the tractor are marginal now. Threadcert or similar would probably fix it, but is a poor answer on what appears to be a very new low hour tractor.

FWIW though, on my Kubota and NH both, I have found during my spring oil/filter/maintenance, I go over any bolts/nuts I see. Have found a loose one now and then. But these are 10+ year old tractors, one with 600 hours, the other 1400(sold the Kubota a while back...

Robert
I suppose that one bolt doesnt do it justice. You can visible see where the thread are crossed the whole length of the bolt. on some of the fasteners. Im of the same thinking as you though i go over any fastener I see. I had already check my lug nuts and other fasteners on the tractor. I just haddent check these bolts.

 

[bp fick]

Here is pure speculation, but I'll give it anyhow. The dealer who prepped this tractor assigned the FEL mounting job to someone who was either performing very poorly that day, or, more likely, was incompetent to be assembling someone's tractor in the first place. There's no other way to put it.

The FELs and the tractors come in separate crates. They aren't "mated" at the factory. Installing the FEL brackets onto the tractor isn't rocket science. To be cross threading bolts or using improper sized bolts, and just running them in with an impact gun is insane. Is such a thing rare? By no means, not in the auto/tire repair world either.

Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. Got a feeling the fella who did that "job" no longer has one at that dealership. This may be, in part, why the dealer is stepping up. Good for him. Someone in his shop screwed this up big time.

 

[displacedPA]

The tractor is due back this afternoon. New bolts that are longer were used to replace the old ones. apperntly the internal threads were not damaged to bad. They used Locktite on all the loader bolts. I will post pics when I get a chance.