My letter to Kioti, loader rerepair, long

[Highbeam]

"I wonder if Kioti wouldn't be better off replacing the loader frames to prevent such a senario?"

This is why an engineered and official repair from Kioti is so important and maybe why it is taking so long. An official repair done right is as good as a redesigned loader and likely much cheaper than replacing everyone's loaders. Maybe Kioti has a repair and is testing it to be sure that the stresses passed on are not too great for those parts. I must say that I would rather the loader fail than the engine mounts.

 

[Highbeam]

"I wonder if Kioti wouldn't be better off replacing the loader frames to prevent such a senario?"

This is why an engineered and official repair from Kioti is so important and maybe why it is taking so long. An official repair done right is as good as a redesigned loader and likely much cheaper than replacing everyone's loaders. Maybe Kioti has a repair and is testing it to be sure that the stresses passed on are not too great for those parts. I must say that I would rather the loader fail than the engine mounts.

 

[Dargo]

Raise my hand, I'll readily admit that I am not a structural engineer. I was just making a WAG as to why it appears as if Kioti is taking their time on this issue. My only point was that there possibly could be more to fixing the cracks than topically meets the eye. I am one hundred percent certain that they have structural engineers on the payroll who can calculate the additional stresses created in other areas if you make that cross member where it has zero flex. Maybe there is no issue, and maybe they are just verifying that. I am only guessing that there is some method to their process.

On the snow plow that I "fixed" for the guy, the company stated that there was a designed amount of flex in the particular area I worked on, and I eliminated that designed flex. Well, my response, as well as that of the guy who owned the truck, was that their designed 'flex' apparently wasn't designed very well since it flexed to the point of breaking all too often. I think they were trying to liken it to breaking a shear bolt, but I wasn't really buying that concept. Oh well, it's just a thought. I may be completely off and they may just be too busy to have gotten around to a fix; but somehow I doubt that they have pushed it off until later just for the heck of it.

 

[Dargo]

Raise my hand, I'll readily admit that I am not a structural engineer. I was just making a WAG as to why it appears as if Kioti is taking their time on this issue. My only point was that there possibly could be more to fixing the cracks than topically meets the eye. I am one hundred percent certain that they have structural engineers on the payroll who can calculate the additional stresses created in other areas if you make that cross member where it has zero flex. Maybe there is no issue, and maybe they are just verifying that. I am only guessing that there is some method to their process.

On the snow plow that I "fixed" for the guy, the company stated that there was a designed amount of flex in the particular area I worked on, and I eliminated that designed flex. Well, my response, as well as that of the guy who owned the truck, was that their designed 'flex' apparently wasn't designed very well since it flexed to the point of breaking all too often. I think they were trying to liken it to breaking a shear bolt, but I wasn't really buying that concept. Oh well, it's just a thought. I may be completely off and they may just be too busy to have gotten around to a fix; but somehow I doubt that they have pushed it off until later just for the heck of it.

 

[TractorLegend]

It's obvious it's "just metal" and could be welded/ refabbed...but also just because a tractor dealer has a welder (the machine) in its shop doesn't mean they are necessarily the best ones to do the job.

I would just cringe thinking the popsickle stand type dealer was welding on my rig... ugly welding doesn't go away.
/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
I'd prefer someone who went to school on such and does it daily as opposed to every so often.
I think Kioti should replace frame or spend their time figuring out the logistics of getting ones frame to a proficient metalworking shop and figuring out who that is.
EDIT: I'm not saying Highbeam has a popsickle stand dealer, just somebody with this issue will end up in such a case...
It would seem if Kioti chooses to have a chosen shop repair the frame-how is it proofed?

 

[TractorLegend]

It's obvious it's "just metal" and could be welded/ refabbed...but also just because a tractor dealer has a welder (the machine) in its shop doesn't mean they are necessarily the best ones to do the job.

I would just cringe thinking the popsickle stand type dealer was welding on my rig... ugly welding doesn't go away.
/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
I'd prefer someone who went to school on such and does it daily as opposed to every so often.
I think Kioti should replace frame or spend their time figuring out the logistics of getting ones frame to a proficient metalworking shop and figuring out who that is.
EDIT: I'm not saying Highbeam has a popsickle stand dealer, just somebody with this issue will end up in such a case...
It would seem if Kioti chooses to have a chosen shop repair the frame-how is it proofed?

 

[IslandTractor]

<font color="blue">I would (have) suggested a much wider plate that runs from loader arm to loader arm, with a bend on each end to make a firm weld attachment point and to reduce flex. My suggestion would require 3 holes in the plate because there needs to be small holes for the hoses to enter/exit the cross brace, plus the larger access port hole.
</font>

That makes sense. However, given the difficulties of dealing with all those holes and needing to change the bolts for the access plate, wouldn't it be simpler to just engineer the same basic fix (full width extra strengthening plate) on to the opposite side of the cross piece? The flat side with no holes to work around. Just weld the cracks then add the support piece to the other side of the cross piece. Seems to me that which ever side you add the extra metal to it would strenthen and stiffen the whole cross piece so why not work on the "easy" side?

 

[IslandTractor]

<font color="blue">I would (have) suggested a much wider plate that runs from loader arm to loader arm, with a bend on each end to make a firm weld attachment point and to reduce flex. My suggestion would require 3 holes in the plate because there needs to be small holes for the hoses to enter/exit the cross brace, plus the larger access port hole.
</font>

That makes sense. However, given the difficulties of dealing with all those holes and needing to change the bolts for the access plate, wouldn't it be simpler to just engineer the same basic fix (full width extra strengthening plate) on to the opposite side of the cross piece? The flat side with no holes to work around. Just weld the cracks then add the support piece to the other side of the cross piece. Seems to me that which ever side you add the extra metal to it would strenthen and stiffen the whole cross piece so why not work on the "easy" side?

 

[TBDonnelly]

<font color="blue">I would just cringe thinking the popsickle stand type dealer was welding on my rig... ugly welding doesn't go away.</font>

From earlier in the thread.....Highbeam's Kioti dealer is also a well established Deere dealer who allegedly sent Highbeam's loader out to a welding shop. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Highbeam's Dealer.... <font color="blue"> The dealer is a relatively large dealer with dozens of Kiotis on his lot along with John Deere tractors. This dealer has Kioti trained and certified mechanics on site, he has been in business for many decades at this location selling tractors.
</font>

Don

 

[TBDonnelly]

<font color="blue">I would just cringe thinking the popsickle stand type dealer was welding on my rig... ugly welding doesn't go away.</font>

From earlier in the thread.....Highbeam's Kioti dealer is also a well established Deere dealer who allegedly sent Highbeam's loader out to a welding shop. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Highbeam's Dealer.... <font color="blue"> The dealer is a relatively large dealer with dozens of Kiotis on his lot along with John Deere tractors. This dealer has Kioti trained and certified mechanics on site, he has been in business for many decades at this location selling tractors.
</font>

Don