New style Kioti KL130 loader - OEM improvement?

Bob_Skurka · Apr 4, 2006

( Honestly, there is no shame in a manufacturer improving their product. I bought a truck once and the next year's model had more horsepower, did I demand a new truck? of course not. Same deal here. )
I think that is a good way to look at this situation. You need to get a new loader. There is no reason to believe that the 'improved' loader is any better, it may in fact just be 'different' for some reason none of us may ever know. The key is that your loader frame is replaced and you don't have cracks.

While you need satisfaction, getting a new loader does not resolve the question of why the loader cracked (and unfortunately Steve Miller's thread was taken a bit off track regarding his 120 loader and why it cracked). But one would hope that you also get an explination of why the loader stress cracked too.

Highbeam · Apr 4, 2006

I would be thrilled to know that Kioti was aware of the crack problem, there is a fix, and the new loader has the fix. I do not expect that at this time. I will ask the dealer about what happens if Kioti releases an improved loader frame after mine is replaced but before my warranty expires.

DrewL · Apr 4, 2006

sorry if I missed this Highbeam, how many hours on this product?

Highbeam · Apr 4, 2006

170 hours, purchased in September of 2005. Used for field mowing, box blading, brush mowing, brush clearing, and 2 doubles of gravel spreading. Never take the loader off. In fact, I removed the support feet since they just have pins to be lost.

coasterez · Apr 5, 2006

Highbeam,

I took delivery of mine in early March. I'll remove the cover tonight to check and will get back to you.

Tom

Batche33 · Apr 5, 2006

Highbeam

I'm not sure why the other dealers haven't commented, but if they're anything like us, they are up to their eyeballs.

This typically the busiest time of year.
They, like us, are probably too busy with phone calls & customers to even get online.

As far as the KL130 & KL120 loaders in our yard they don't seem to have the reinforcement.
( Perhaps the photo of the improved loader was taken of an aftermarket modification done without the buyer's knowledge. )
I believe this to be true. (just my opinion)

As far as the 50+ KL120 & KL130 loaders that we've sold, no one has reported any cracks.
(as they come in for service be sure they will be checked)

unhappykioti · Apr 5, 2006

seems reasonable to me that they replace the frame, I would be happy with that remedy. I have a KL120 bought it last July (2005) has no reinforcements

MessickFarmEqu · Apr 5, 2006

what weird to me is that they did not want to see your loader frame. Thats standard procedure for this kinda stuff from what I am used to. That means one of two things to me, either they don't care -or- they know about and hopfully there is a fix in the works.

Highbeam · Apr 5, 2006

Maybe they did see it. I dropped the loader off at the dealer for repair. 2 weeks later (the agreed upon timeframe) the weld job was done. Now I reject the repair and they are to replace the loader frame. It is entirely possible that the cracking phenomenon is old news to them, a Kioti rep stopped by and looked at it before the weld job, the dealer emailed photos, or they intend to inspect the rejected loader frame.

If I was Mr. Kioti I would want to see the failure to make record of it and to try and understand the failure in order to formulate a revision. These things aren't too cheap.

DrewL · Apr 5, 2006

uummm what were they (Kioti-dealer) thinking? Any repair that alters OEM looks (original design) should be considered. We buy Kioti loader and BH's to keep the machine consistant. Not that Highbeam was going to sell his machine but if he was and you were the unsuspecting buyer and saw that repair?

no thanks