Skid plates to protect filters and suction tube

[SPYDERLK]

I have a Kioti DK65C and I keep denting the hydraulic filters and now I bent the suction tube causing a leak as well as it now sucks in air and the hydraulic system is very jumpy(at least I assume thats what is causing the problem). My property is about 95% wooded and I am making/maintaining trails and moving fallen trees often. I have a new suction pipe on order and will try to install it when it arrives(has been on back order for over a week). I have a welder but not a lot of skill with it. Any ideas would be appreciated.


Thanks,
Jeff

ya know? ... a tractor with a soft underside is just a poor design. My Mahindra is like that. My JD and Kubota are not. When a maker doesnt go to the trouble to integrate underside components in a durable form they up their profit margin behind your back. You, on the other hand might save a little up front, but then you pay and pay into their coffers for the damaged parts resulting from your "abuse". All because theres not enuf pressure on these guys to make a tractor fit for actual utility use. Too bad people dont insist on competent machinery that doesnt have to be babied to continue to function.
larry

 

[Jeff244]

Thanks for the responses, I finally got my new suction pipe, but it was the wrong one(a tab for bolting it was wrong, the pipe was right). I ended up using the old one after comparing the 2 pipes and realizing the old pipe is not bent. The problem, is that the pipes are held in place partly by a metal tab on top that gets bolted to the top of the filter housing. So the pipes tend to twist out of place on the bottom and leak. For a temporary fix, I used a long hose clamp from pipe to pipe below the connection and it seems to be working.

I am sorry, but I am new to posting on forums and I don't know how to copy and paste the messages like other posters.

rdbrumfield, Since I have a backhoe, I don't think I can make a plate to cover the entire area like you said. I never thought about the valve stems though, that is an excellent idea. So if I understand you, I weld a threaded pipe over the valve stem and then put a cap on it?

Timber, very good points, it kind of makes me realize how little I know about the mechanics of tractors.

SPYDERLK, you are 100% correct. It would not have taken too much to protect the filters and lines, but they CHOOSE not to. My machine has a Kioti brand loader and the grease zerts are pressed, not threaded. So they come out easily and I need to tap and put threaded zerts in. How much more would it of cost them to do it right from the start. I know that the newer ones are threaded.
I have been around construction machinery my whole life and I would usually know what to look for when purchasing a new piece of equipment from past experiences. This was my first farm machine. I guess I was too busy looking at the shiny paint and thinking about the air conditioned cab. Don't get me wrong, I do love the tractor, it just needs a few modifications.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[aczlan]

It would not have taken too much to protect the filters and lines, but they CHOOSE not to. My machine has a Kioti brand loader and the grease zerts are pressed, not threaded. So they come out easily and I need to tap and put threaded zerts in. How much more would it of cost them to do it right from the start. I know that the newer ones are threaded.

reminds me of working as a equipment mechanic for Trugreen last summer, we had 3 eXmark mowers for my crew (6-8 guys) but had one lose an engine (the NYLON oil pump gear in the Kawasaki engine let go and the engine went kapoot...) so our regional office replaced it with a Huskvarna from another crew, I had some complaints about eXmark build quality until I saw the Husky I then shut up and was VERY glad to have the eXmark mowers... for example the area the deck belt ran in was open in the back and under the operator area, when the guards were on, it was enclosed everywhere else, which we found when we had 2-3" of packed grass pop the $90 belt off and cut it into 5 pieces (the office forgot to mention this "Feature" to us until after the fact)... the zerks were also mostly pressed in which was ok untill one of the guys hit something with the one on the front of the front wheel spindle, he knocked the zerk off and ovaled the hole for good measure... that one ended up getting drilled and tapped for a oversize threaded one.

 

[Redbug]

I bent up my suction line also on my tractor, (just like Jeff). From a branch that was sticking up. I managed to limp back and get it loaded on the trailer with a little hydro fluid to spare. I agree...these tractors are too delicate for "normal" use. I have been thinking about also making a protective skid plate of some sort. It would be nice for the manufacturers to have skid plates as an option. Deer does on some of their models, I noticed.

I would like to see how your skid plate comes out.

And about the valve stem deal...that happened to me also. I did a mod on my tires, and also keep a spare stem in the tractor toolbox. Just thinking about it later...what I would now do if I got a flat front tire out in the boonies, I would lower my loader to raise the front end and drive out backwards, using the rear brakes to help turn. That way you would not tear up your tire with the rim.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/116005-valve-stem-mod.html

I also welded expanded metal across the brush guard, because sooner or later a branch would poke out of my grapple and go through the radiator. I also made covers out of truck mud flaps to protect the tie rod covers, since branches tore a couple of them up. I posted my projects with pics, if you do a search under "Redbug".

 

[Turkeyman]

Send me a PM with your outside email address and I will send you pictures on my belly pan I had made for my JD 4720. It is 1/4 steel and protects most things except for the steering ram.

I had the same problem and it was the best think I added to the tractor next to the FOPS/cage.

 

[soarkrebel1]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/303/sort/1/cat/all/page/1


Heres what I built.

 

[Kendrick]

Hay wallace what is your thoughts about timber's suggestion of mounting from a bh frame?

I could see how that would work out quite nicely if done right. making a frame similer to the bh up to the back end of the tractor then attach to that frame some railing to go the length of the tractor and mount all the plates to that. I know it would not be able to go beyond the front axle due to 4wd and the side pivoting? of the fronts. might be able to put a plate on behind the bumper tubes.

 

[dfkrug]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/303/sort/1/cat/all/page/1

Heres what I built.

Very nice skid plate, SOAR. Usually people wait for an "accident" before
they build protection.

My Kioti CK30 is even more vulnerable underneath than the DKs. I pointed
this out to a factory rep a the World Ag Expo and she acted as if that was
the first they heard of it. I very much agree with SPIDERLK....poor design.
My land is near 100% forested and small branches can do big damage.

I tied my custom b/h subframe to the FEL subframe and bottom of the
rear axle casting. I incorporated parts that protected the most exposed
filter and suction tube. Not full coverage, but much better than stock.

 

[RedRocker]

I have the same kind of property, so I armored up top and bottom on mine.

 

[dfkrug]

I have the same kind of property, so I armored up top and bottom on mine.

That's a serious skidplate! Nice work.

I have a top-of-hood protection structure, but I can't paint it Kioti
grey until I get warmer/drier weather. Maybe I should just go with black
rattle can and redo it in the summer.....