Update on loader repair program from Kioti Jan 30

[KAB]

The last time I was at my local dealer I saw a Dealer Message (whatever Kioti calls it) that basically stated that there was going to be a delay due to some differences in the shape of the crossmembers. It did not specify if it was model related or production changes for both models. The way the memo read I could not tell if they figured it out at the same time as bolt issue or not.

Kurt

 

[cabin kioti]

Just a bit of information on the loader cracking issue.Apparently the early versions of the kli3o cross member tube are different from the newer versions. I picked up the repair kit on Friday and was going to install it on Saturday. As my luck would have it it was the wrong one. The flat area before it goes into the angle the dimensions is different. The kit I have is for around 2and one half inches and my loader flat dimension is 3 and five eights inch. Apparently somewere along the line they tried to beef up the weld to the arms. The kit I need is not in yet. My CK30 with a KL130 was purchased in 2006. I will say this the repair kit is very heavy and well made. Maybe this information will save someone a extra trip to the dealer.

 

[HODAK]

As a patient Kioti owner, I still just have to say it.

RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!! deadlines, wrong bolts, wrong size. What could possibly be next? I kind of feel sorry for the dealers.

By the way, the cracks are growing.......

 

[Cota]

I took delivery of my brand new CK30 the first week in January and would like to feel positive about my purchase but due to my lack of buyer beware and proper knowledge of the loader issue I am now also the proud owner of the outdated and marginally designed FEL. I figured wrong that my dealer should be informed and kept current with such issues since they swear they had no knowledge of the problem or current change in design when I bought mine or they would have mentioned it.
From the threads it seems this has been common knowledge for quite some time unless Kioti did not want the dealers to know with all the older designed models still on the floor. There are a lot worse things in life to deal with but I am not real pleased at the moment. My loader made horrible squeaking or tweaking noises when I first used it and after I got sick of the noise I realised the inspection cover needed tightning which helped but the noise soon returned. I felt bad for all the folks with the problem and assumed mine was updated since I bought a NEW tractor--I actually thought the problem was in the bucket and since mine had an extra bar welded on top that I was ok---wrong. I also think the fix is a bandaid. I feel like an idiot for not being more aware and a little less trusting--any comments appreciated.

 

[Highbeam]

All dealers should know since there was the Kioti announcement about the cracks being "cosmetic". That was what, 6 months ago? I too sympathize with the dealers on this one. Do they tell potential buyers that the loaders are known to crack (blow the sale) or do they sell the known crack prone loaders (almost sneaky). No sale means the business dies. Sale means the customers are deceived.

The easy way out is to claim no knowledge.

 

[gravel13]

Cota, I wouldn't worry just yet about your loader cracking. If you search through the old threads you will see that not all KL-130 loaders cracked. You might actually find that there were more loaders listed without cracks than with cracks. I too think that your dealer should have known about the issue if you had just purchased in January, Highbeams loader issue was well over a year ago and with Kioti finally sending out notification out about 6 months ago. Maybe your dealer thought it was purely "cosmetic" and not worth mentioning. (For th record, I am in no way trying to say anything bad about your dealer) I would not hesitate to buy another Kioti, I have been very happy with my CK-25. Just my .02

And yes, my loader is one with cracks

 

[Oleozz]

Cota,welcome to the site. Enjoy your tractor, I would not lose much sleep over something that hasn't happened yet, if your loader does develop cracks you know that there is now a fix in the works for it.
When you get the chance post some pics of your new machine.

 

[Dodgeram]

Cota,
I too welcome you to the site.
I believe the dealer should have informed you that there have been reports of some loaders with cracks.
Like gravel stated, not all loaders have cracked.
Mine has 117 hrs on it. I have lifted pallets of flagstone with the forks (500+ lbs), which I'm relatively sure the loader was not designed to handle. I've lifted hugh chunks of concrete with the toothbar (again, I doubt the loader was designed to do) and moved countless tons of gravel.
I even did the test to see how much the loader would flex side to side.
Still no cracks.
If it develops cracks, My dealer and I will deal with it.
Like oleozz said "...I would not lose much sleep over something that hasn't happened , or may never happen, yet...."
Again, welcome aboard.
Tom

 

[IslandTractor]

Well, I spoke with my dealer and Kioti again. More delay due to the previously reported new problem with different torque tube sizes in different model years. The original repair kit does not fit all loaders (there are at least two variations in size and the existing kits only fit one) and so Kioti has elected to withhold any further repair kit shipments or notification to customers until they have both types of repair kits in stock. Kioti has not announced when they will be shipping. On the face of it that is not the worst decision in the world but again the failure to keep consumers up to date is notable. Also, it does not exactly inspire confidence that they know their product if they manage to order a couple thousand repair kits before they even figure out there are two different sizes needed. Apparently Kioti sent a note or posted something about this on the dealer website Feb 9. For whatever reason that info never made it to TBN. Now that I have been "outed" as someone who posts on TBN, the otherwise very fine customer service folks at Kioti will no longer tell me much of anything.

As noted in an earlier post, the more than one year delay in dealing with this issue is absurd and has now got potential customers and new customers po'd as well. I'm sure the good dealers are squirming. I'd certainly be annoyed if I bought a new tractor/loader without being told about a pretty well documented problem. My dealer hasn't even seen a new loader yet so they must be selling the old ones.

The failure of senior Kioti managment to do more than stick their heads in the sand in responding to this issue remains the single most distressing and unintelligible aspect of the whole fiasco to me. One year later there has still not been a single postcard to customers about the loader problem. And, the poor dealers have had a grand total of one fax over 8 months ago (saying there was a "cosmetic" problem, one false start letter (last month announcing the 90 day window to get all loaders fixed) and now one posting on the dealer side of the Kioti website (apparently just yammering about why the kits needed to be redone again but not giving any dates or addressing the repair window and other repair program questions).

Someday there may be a case study in a business school contrasting the how to do it and how not to do it approach to corporate PR problems. I'm pretty sure Kioti senor management has earned a secure spot on the "don't do it this way" roster.

 

[450EXC]

On the other hand, my loader has been working great even though it's cracked. I just keep plugging along doing anything I want with it.

When they get the repair dialed in I'll get it fixed and move along. Just a minor bump in the road in the long haul.

It really hits home when my buddys stop in and ask hows the tractor been ? I stop, and think, Hum, this thing been great.