Loader letter arrived!

[rback33]

Every time someone new sees my tractor they ask if it's a Kubota. No it's a Kioti says me, just the same color but darn nice. Then they say what the heck is that on the loader. Oh, that's Kioti's too. Oh, they say and we try and find something else to talk about.

OK... I will begin by apologizing, but I laughed out loud when I read that... certainly not because of the situation, cuz it sux, but I can honestly hear the conversation in my head. I am a little surprised they have not fixed yours yet though.....

 

[hotairballoon]

I suppose it is possible to get it installed, and then get it home and take it off if you don't think it is either useful or effective. There are scrap metal dealers around.

 

[IslandTractor]

The dealer I bought from included free transport for service and I'm about 45 minutes from him. BTW I have one of the early loaders but don't have many hours on it. If it cracks I'll probably just weld a gusset on it.

Frank

Welcome to TBN Frank. Always glad to see another Yankee CK20 represented on the board.

 

[gravel13]

Yes, but maybe the real question is not should this be covered under warranty, but should this be considered a recall?

Very good point Bob. How does someone (Kioti in this case) determine if it should be recalled? Is it recalled only if it is a safety issue? (I'm not trying to bring up the safety issue verus cosmetic cracks here) I was also reading about the hydraulic coolers that had some issues, I believe on the ck20. At what point does it not become a warranty issue and becomes a recall? Maybe a certain percentage of tractors have to be reported? Just my .02

I'm still waiting for the KL130 repair kit. I haven't checked my cracks in a good 7 months, I'll have to see if they have progressed.

 

[malk315]

Dropped my machine at the dealer (Harvard Outdoor Power in Harvard, MA) yesterday for 50 hour service and loader kit installation (CK-20).

Tom mentioned they are required by Kioti to take a picture of underneath the torque tube cover and send it back to Kioti. I'm guessing Kioti wants to see the variance and extent of cracked / uncracked loaders -- note this is a guess by me and not the speculation of my dealer -- Tom just told me they need to take a picture and send it back w/ warranty claim etc.

I didn't have time to take the cover off myself and inspect, but I told Tom either way -- cracked or not -- I don't care -- just let me know if there are cracks or not so I can let you guys know for stats purposes on here.

Tom also mentioned they are considering for Ed (IslandTractor) to simply send someone out to Ed's tractor to install the kit. I told Tom that I believe this is what Wallace tractor in PA was doing (forgive me if I'm wrong -- I remember reading at least one dealer on here mentioning they were going w/ field installs to save on transportation for everyone / it made things go quicker by doing the install in the field). If it wasn't Wallace, no biggie as the point is to mention that at least one dealer is doing field installs in lieu of forcing everyone to bring the machines in.

Hopefully that will work out for everyone involved.

I will report on how things went when I get the machine back in a week (I don't need the machine for at least a week).

 

[hotairballoon]

Dealer that has my tractor claims to have never seen a cracked loader, claims to be one of the larger dealers in the country. Had a large inventory the one time I visited. He still wont see one, but I am getting the fix ordered and installed anyway.

 

[IslandTractor]

Dealer that has my tractor claims to have never seen a cracked loader, claims to be one of the larger dealers in the country. Had a large inventory the one time I visited. He still wont see one, but I am getting the fix ordered and installed anyway.

Ask him if he's every bothered to take the inspection panel off to look. You can't see the cracks otherwise.

 

[dgl24087]

Very good point Bob. How does someone (Kioti in this case) determine if it should be recalled? Is it recalled only if it is a safety issue? (I'm not trying to bring up the safety issue verus cosmetic cracks here) I was also reading about the hydraulic coolers that had some issues, I believe on the ck20. At what point does it not become a warranty issue and becomes a recall? Maybe a certain percentage of tractors have to be reported? Just my .02

I'm still waiting for the KL130 repair kit. I haven't checked my cracks in a good 7 months, I'll have to see if they have progressed.

In most cases, a recall is initiated only after numerous complaints to the appropriate governmental oversight agency in relationship to units sold, threat of class action lawsuits, or if there is a chance of severe injury or death. Don't know if there have ever been recalls in tractors, I'm basing my opinion on recalls for other products.

 

[hotairballoon]

Ask him if he's every bothered to take the inspection panel off to look. You can't see the cracks otherwise.

Actually I did, he said that when this all started he started looking at tractors as they came in, hasn't seen any. I think you folks with problems use your tractors for something, instead of living room ornaments. Sure looks nice next to the pickup .

 

[IslandTractor]

I think you folks with problems use your tractors for something, instead of living room ornaments.

I'm sure that is true but I don't think there is any evidence that anyone was abusing the loaders. If you use the loader just to move horse poop and sawdust it is unlikely you are putting any stress on it at all. Most of us are using the FEL for digging or land clearing which certainly gives the FEL a workout but I don't think Kioti would ever claim their loader wasn't designed for such things. There are also people who have used their loaders aggressively who don't have any cracks. Not sure if Kioti has bothered to figure out if there are particular production runs of FELs that have more cracks than others but they are offering the fix for virtually every loader built before late 2006 so I doubt it is purely a lot number problem.

In any case, the fix is finally available and now it is just a matter of getting it installed. I'm headed home after a couple of weeks overseas to see if I got my letter yet. Then I'll give the dealer a call and see what I can work out.