Outrageous Kubota part price increase

[dragoneggs]

Anti seize is merely a chemical to prevent galvanic corrosion form sticking metals together. It has negligible effect on torque.

Continuing off topic but I beg to differ depending on your definition of negligible. Lubrication definitely has an effect on the torque-tension relationship of threaded bolt/nuts and is taken into consideration when a certain amount of preload (tension) is required for an assembly or installation. This is especially important in fatigue critical joints.

 

[adventure bob]

The Loctite brand (that grey stuff that gets everywhere) of anti seize is chemically engineered to impart less than 5% variance on the torque value of the bolts its applied to. That's well within the spec of most home used torque wrenches. So when I say negligible, I mean within the 2 std deviations of measurement as use by most of us here on the site. Now if your talking aircraft maint and certification of flight, your right anti seizes used on aircraft are required to impart less than 1% variance in torque value. These are way more expensive compounds than what were talking about here. I'm pretty sure I have nothing on my tractor that critical. Also, everywhere the manual calls for antisieze Kubota has specified torque with that compound applied.

 

[adventure bob]

Back to the original issue with parts price increase. Not defending Kubota, but remember every part in the system has to carry its own weight in costs. If there are very few of the parts stocked or turned over (sold and replenished) they still have to carry their share of the total cost burden of the logistics system. Parts sitting on the shelf are not "free" for the person holding them. All the costs, warehouse, electricity, inventory, manpower for the logistics and on and on and on, have to be paid for when the part sells. Current, high turnover parts have a lower burden percentage because so many of them turnover so quickly. Your part seems to be getting close to its end of life for the manufacturer. They will scrap the part when it cant sell at a price that pays its overhead. By your post I imagine they're getting close.

 

[BleedingOrange]

I would still bet money it is a decimal point in the wrong place error, and once it is in the system, it,s a biotch to get corrected. The odd thing is, why are the prices NEVER mis-printed lower ?
Hopefully Messicks will get back to us in this thread, once they get an answer back from Kubota.

 

[wdchyd]

Any pics of this outrageous part?

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Maybe the corrosion issue was so bad they decided to just make it out of gold? Issue solved.

 

[Steve1300]

Well sir, I have videos where tests have been done on materials applied to the threads of bolts and such that speak differently. Any material that affects the amount of friction between internal and external threads cause clamping force to change. In the aircraft industry, we are well aware of the impact that anti-seize has on torque.

 

[mcfarmall]

View attachment 498008

That's the best meme I've seen in a long time!!!

Never-Seez, KROIL, and Loctite are the 3 "must have" products for any maintenance shop.

Coat the threads on black or galvanized pipe unions and they will always be easy to crack open among the millions of uses for the stuff.

 

[adventure bob]

Steve not saying theres NO effect, not my point. I'm saying the same thing that Loctite, Federal and ARP are saying in their tech data: The smart chemical engineering guys design the antisieze to have a minimal effect on the torque. In the case of the sticky grey stuff we've all had all over everything we touch after touching it, its less than 5%. I'm also saying that a vehicle manufacturer (aircraft as well) accounts for that impact when they spec certain sealants, antiseizes, and lubes on bolts. Not disagreeing with you, just saying its not an issue in 99% of practical use, especially homeowner/tractor owner use. And for aircraft applications it is specifically accounted for in the required torque values if a sealant or antiseize is spec'd.

 

[Baby Grand]

Steve not saying theres NO effect, not my point. I'm saying the same thing that Loctite, Federal and ARP are saying in their tech data: The smart chemical engineering guys design the antisieze to have a minimal effect on the torque. In the case of the sticky grey stuff we've all had all over everything we touch after touching it, its less than 5%. I'm also saying that a vehicle manufacturer (aircraft as well) accounts for that impact when they spec certain sealants, antiseizes, and lubes on bolts. Not disagreeing with you, just saying its not an issue in 99% of practical use, especially homeowner/tractor owner use. And for aircraft applications it is specifically accounted for in the required torque values if a sealant or antiseize is spec'd.

Agreed. Besides, estimating a value for friction in a threaded joint is kind of a black art ... or cr@pshoot. You usually assume a range of possible friction values, based on materials, coatings & lubed, anti-gallant or antisieze application, then calculate min & max torque based on your assumption. The resulting range can be 25% over or under the nominal value, so you never really know with much confidence exactly what preload (clamping load) you're applying to joint by way of the fastener.

It seems to me (no data to back this up, just mechanics feel) that a little antisieze, applied to the threads, give a much narrower friction value, which narrows the range of the resulting clamping load. I've become a convert to using the stuff, and chasing threads, whenever I assemble or reassemble equipment. It lakes a little longer, but the results are worth it, especially if you have to take it apart after 5 or 10 years.

Besides, you'll give the guys at NAPA a good laugh when you show up with the stuff on your face. I was once told, straight faced, that Ash Wednesday wasn't for another 2 weeks. Thought the guy was talking nonsense after a hard night of drinking. But I understood later, when I saw my forehead reflected in the rearview mirror while backing out of my parking space.

If an additional 5% is too much variance, then angle of turn measurement should be used instead torque measurement.
For instance, if I'm torqueing head bolts, then I'd prefer to use angle of turn, if the value is specified.
If not, then I'll reach for the torque wrench.

-Jim