I bought a TB Flex and want to mount it onto a Kioti DK6010HST, and the Kioti dealer in Central Wisconsin does not want to warranty the loader because the TB Flex twists the loader frame slightly when the TB Flex is laid out in the flat horizontal position to the side. The counterbalance weight added to the TB Flex design is not enough to balance the unit. The Kioti dealer is also worried about where to run the return Hydraulic line into the Tractor Sump without causing issues with the fluid 'foaming' and causing problems. I'm stuck in the middle as TB Flex is not willing to help with instructions on how to best plumb the unit, NOR come up with a better counterbalancing for the unit when laid out to the side. Has anyone plumbed one of these TB Flex units onto a Kioti Tractor that could help explain how to best plumb it? Thanks. Mr. T.
I own a Lane Shark, first one sold in WV. The TB cutters are knockoffs of the Lane Shark. I consider TB an unethical copy of the Lane Shark invention, probably failure to have it patented. That off my chest, the Kioti dealer has no leg to stand on regarding warranty of the loader. How and why did that come up ? Did you shoot yourself in that foot ? It is none of his business what you choose to run on the loader unless you violate some published specification or rule regarding the loader. No loader on the market has any spec regarding torsion (!!) I've been trying for years to find torsion specs on ANY loader. The most advanced/active tractor testing people in the US are at the Nebraska state lab and they do not have a test for it either. As a more practical concern, would you have problems using the TB on your Kioti ? I doubt it. The Lane Shark at least is not that heavy and was designed for smaller to medium sized tractors. In fact, I'm betting that torsion on your loader is by far the least of the worries here. The dealer I bought my Lane Shark from installed it on my MF2660 and figured out the plumbing to run the return to the sump, etc. That DOES get complicated and is tractor-specific so it is money well spent to have the the thing installed. Your Kioti maybe a little bit light in the loafers (esp. for any time you have the cutter up high cutting overhanging branches, etc.) Gotta be careful about tendency to tip you over or being something other than comfy esp on any kind of side slope. Other than that, you should be fine. That said, there are some important considerations with this type attachment. Do you have adequate flow from your tractor hydraulics? Maybe not. The Lane Shark uses an hyd motor that is happy and robust with only about 10 gpm. Being a XXX copy the TB probably is too. That market segment is ideal for intro of such devices because there are a LOT of folks who can handle that much flow demand on smaller or medium size tractors and CANNOT handle the 16 to 20 gpm needs of larger cutters to say nothing of weight and other issues. If your tractor says you have 10 gpm or better you really don't get that out to the implement unless you use oversize diameter hoses, avoid restrictive connectors, control valves, etc. I have made that mistake on larger cutters and the result was they bog down so easy you get rid of them. I assume you had a Remote handy to drive the new long lines up to the front end loader? DO NOT use the typical 3rd function stuff often supplied with medium size tractors to the loader. The hoses are certain to be too small, will rob you of robust cutting, etc.
In your shoes I would ask the TB dealer to show you a similar size/weight tractor to your own with a TB cutter on it and look it over carefully and operate it just a little bit yourself. Worth it's weight in gold to get that sample of experience. Also what will they charge for installation to include hoses, connectors, finding the routing to the sump, etc.? You said the TB dealer is unwilling to help much with the instructions for routing back to the sump? ****, they should be DOING it . Lane Shark was very helpful in that regard. Another post below your last one worries over hyd fluid heating, etc. I doubt that is too much of a concern if you just discipline yourself not to run it cutting heavy stuff for long periods of time. Cut for an hour and go do something else. A way to tell is "How much trans fluid is in the sump?" If you have 30 gal you can go for at least a couple hours. If you only have 10 or 12 gallons in the sump then you will need to seriously shorten your cutting periods or heating oil will become an issue. An oil cooler comes to mind and that adds trouble and expense and takes up real estate.
The next post also worries over rotor stoppage when moving the loader up or down or angled, etc. [That's due to 'one track mind hydraulics' called open center.] Yes, that was a concern until Lane Shark came on the market with the right valving and design such that the rotor freewheels when the drive pressure is removed rather than jerking to a stop. That is a major feature which is go/no-go for the functionality of the cutter. I assume TB copied that from Lane Shark too so it is probably not a concern. The next poster also said he does not run front cutters from the tractor hyd pump and always uses a PTO driven pump. Well, yeah... BUT a PTO pump precludes you doing other things on the back of the tractor, adds expense. The whole idea of the Lane Shark (and copies of it) is a light cutter mounted on the FEL that does not require a PTO pump and is suitable for smaller and medium sized tractors. That is the previously untapped niche market with potential for huge sales.
Having already bought the TB unit leaves you in a bind but I think it can be made to work and work well.
Good luck ! Keep us up on how you work this out.
