update on loader cracks

[Steverino]

I don't think we have to worry about a retro-fix kit for our loaders. I expect to receive my new frame in the mail any day, perhaps on X-mass eve. Well at least what I’m going to ask the Mall Santa for, no they are not out already, at least not around here, but when they do appear...

 

[Highbeam]

I will have to side with Dargo, it looks to me like a traditional style loader such as the woods or a Kubota where the torque tube is doing the work and then Kioti boted a big honking cover over the crossover hydro lines. The cover is similar in shape to the old crossmember but does not look to be attached, so the removable cover would be a full width piece of metal. It also appears that the loader arms have some additional beef added in the torque tube area.

The KL120B looks to be a nice improvement. A casual eye might not notice the improvement at all since the approximate shape is maintained from the KL120 which would be a good PR move. As to an upgrade kit to accomplish this - I do not think that will happen. Way too hard.

I'm anxious to see the 130b but the 120b is indication that Kioti is fixing.

 

[BTI]

Gamble77 said "The KL130B's do not have that torque tube running through them. To me the fix looks like a complete bolt on piece that just adds strength to that area. It is a pretty impressive looking piece."

I will add that I would imagine that is the "fix" for the cracked loaders.
It would be way to expensive to replace all of those loaders.
There still has not been what could be called a "failure".
Not saying it doesn't need fixing, just saying that all loaders are still functioning like they are supposed to.

BTI

 

[Dusty]

..........It would be way to expensive to replace all of those loaders.
There still has not been what could be called a "failure".
Not saying it doesn't need fixing, just saying that all loaders are still functioning like they are supposed to.

BTI

The cost of one injury lawsuit would far outweigh the cost of replacing all the loaders. Many times the manufacturer will weigh the cost of replacement vs. the cost of a few judgments for injury. Once case that comes to mine is the penny pinching done by Ford Motor with the Pinto fuel tanks. There the cost savings outweighed the cost of the possible financial cost at some later date, and Ford decided to run the risk. In the end, it didn't work out that way. How any manufacturer looks at defects is what is the liability vs. what is the present day costs. It also has to do with the financial condition of the companies involved. If the company that is ultimately liable, can't afford to pay for the repair or replacement, they will take a "wait and see" attitude, and if it gets too expensive, they will file bankruptcy. I don't know all the particulars on this defect nor do I know the company involved, so these are general comments on how things work in general when defects arise. There is a whole contingent of lawyers that make their entire living on product liability lawsuits today, and they are very quick to gather up a group of people to move these lawsuits to class action suits in Federal court, where the rules are different than in state courts.
How many units are involved and the total cost of replacement of the defective parts is going to be the determining factor. If they do repairs, then they are still on the hook for damages if an injury happens, along with the selling dealer and the person that did the repair. I know that my local welding shop will no longer do any welding on any automobile or truck, because of the insurance issue. They won't even weld up a crack in a snow plow. In todays litigious world, times have changed, and not for the better.
Dusty

 

[HODAK]

Not sure where injury would result. I don't want someone to show me or tell me how either. When I use my loader, I'm moving rather slowly and there isn't anyone near. But, I suppose you're right about the lawsuit thing - that is the way we live today and it's also reflected in the cost of just about everything.

 

[IslandTractor]

I think the only relevant "injury" is that done to Kioti's reputation if they don't come up with an appropriate fix for the cracked loaders. I assume if one of the dealer TBN members had heard anything about the repair (not the new loader style) that they would have said something in this thread by now. I am beginning to wonder if what the customer service rep I spoke to in late September was referring to was the new loader style rather than the repair kit. I am still surprised by the unbelievable "sound of silence" from Kioti on this cracked loader matter. If they have had time to completely redesign the loader and already have product to the dealers, you'd think they could have at least indicated what they are going to offer for a repair program on the KL120/130s that are still out there.

How about one of you dealers making a call to corporate and finding out what the story is on cracked loader repairs?

 

[roller]

Still a ghostly silence on this subject I see........

 

[Highbeam]

Yes- ghostly. We all know the situation and we all know how this issue can blow up into a flame war. I for one am doing my best to be patient. I check daily to look for news on this site.

 

[Dodgeram]

How about one of you dealers making a call to corporate and finding out what the story is on cracked loader repairs?

I can't believe I'm gonna respond to this, but why-oh-why would one of the dealers make a call?

If I remember correctly, see http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-owning-operating/81971-why-wont-you-help-kioti.html , the last time a dealer tried to help, they ended up getting chastised.

Come to think of it, a lot of the dealers left this site around that time.

Oh well, just an observation.

 

[JerryG]

Come to think of it, a lot of the dealers left this site around that time.

The only dealer that I remember leaving was the young lady. (I can't remember her name.) Did more dealers leave? Who?