fractured the HST filter mount

[ERE]

OK, I joined the ranks of people who have knocked off their HST filter. Unfortunately, the fliter didn't tear, it broke off the male screw on connection from the casting where it attaches. This looks like a major disaster. I did it while bush hogging a field with 5' tall grass and weeds. I apparently straddled a rock perfectly with both wheels and didn't know I'd gone over it until the mower hit it hard. It happened so fast that I didn't get a chance to put the clutch in so the tractor stalled which was probably a good thing. I walked back to get Mrs. ERE and the truck to jump start the tractor (I have a dead new battery - different post). Fortunately she saw the filter by the rear wheel and said "whats that?" A neighbor brought his tractor over and helped me get the mower off and back to the shed, and we towed the tractor backwards back up to the house where it will be easier to work on.

The damage looks really serious, and unfortunately expensive. Has anyone broken the housing assembly that the filter screws into before? It looks big and in the dark last night, it wasn't very clear how it connected in. I was very surprised to see that it is made of aluminum. I'll post a picture of the fractured part if I can figure out how. I don't know what part I need to ask for much less how it goes in.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ERE]

here is the fracture (I hope)

 

[Singlemalt]

Sorry to say it but this doesn't look like a home fix.

There are places that can weld cast but I wouldn't count on it as a sure fix although on a cost basis it might be worth a try.

If you are into a major tear down it's a big job.

I'm sure we can all feel your pain.

 

[dfkrug]

The damage looks really serious, and unfortunately expensive. Has anyone broken the housing assembly that the filter screws into before? It looks big and in the dark last night, it wasn't very clear how it connected in. I was very surprised to see that it is made of aluminum. I'll post a picture of the fractured part if I can figure out how. I don't know what part I need to ask for much less how it goes in.

I fixed one of those, but it has been years. The filter mount was only
$55 or so if I recall, and not hard to install. I do not know what Kioti
or Bobcat dealers are charging now, but they must sell many of them.

My CK's filter is protected underneath.

 

[VictorW]

One member here has broken two or three of those filter mounts. He said it wasn't that hard to install a new mount. Stuff happens but it's a dumb place they put the mount. As dfkrug mentioned, either a Kioti or Bobcat dealer can get you a new part. If you go to a Bobcat dealer, tell them it's for a CT225. Personally, I would go with a new one. Welding that piece and making it last might be a problem.

 

[ERE]

I will definately go with a new one if they are that inexpensive. It also seem silly that they used cast aluminum. It is pretty clear that the filter was stronger than the mount. The filter is dented, and the part in the picture was still screwed into it where it lay on the ground.

 

[5030]

Things happen. A friend knocked the power steering pump off his NH TC40 with a branch that came up between the wheels.... I mean broke it off of the block.... Not good.

 

[bearhawk]

... It also seem silly that they used cast aluminum. ...

I would rather break off a $60 dollar aluminum part than tear a chunk off the cast steel transmission part..

 

[SSdoxie]

Filter housing is still in that same price range $50 - $60. Make sure you ask for the right filter and base, the one under the tractor is the hydraulic return. The HST filter is the one you keep bumping your foot against just behine the control pedal. Also get 2 new O-rings for the tubelines, they are easy to drop and loose on the ground.

 

[schoolsout]

Busted ours off our MF 2 weeks ago...same aluminum design. Tractor is in shop now.

 

[dfkrug]

One member here has broken two or three of those filter mounts. He said it wasn't that hard to install a new mount. Stuff happens but it's a dumb place they put the mount.

Yeah, we know who that is, but will try not to remind him....

DaeDong hung the filter way down low, which was a bad design. The
aluminum housing is plenty strong for this application; it is not supposed
to take an impact however.

The newer DKs mounted the filter horizontally, out of the way. A much
better design.

 

[MotorSeven]

The bottom line(pun intended) is that they all need armor....I just have not gotten around to that yet...but it will happen!

 

[ERE]

Thanks for the input. I feel much better, not because others have had it happen but because to isn't as bad as I had feared. In the dark it looked like a much bigger chunk of tractor was going to have to be replaced. I've contacted the nearest (70mi) dealer to see how soon he can get parts. Good tip on getting the Orings, SSdoxie. I do have the right filter, I just always think of it as the hydro filter for some reason. In the schematic all of the oil, hydro and otherwise goes through it, but you are right the upper one is the one dedicated solely for the hydro.

 

[ERE]

Nice Lady at Tractor Hill had the part in stock and has it with orings on the way to me.

Interesting that is was in stock. Kioti must have more of those get broken than we know about on this web site.

Has anyone put together a bolt on fix to put some protection around it. If so, please show a picture. I'm the worlds worst welder so I think it would have to be a bolt up fix if I were to do it.

 

[SSdoxie]

Putting a guard uner there is on my to do this winter list, when it's too cold to find a reason to use the tractor :laughing:.
I haven't hit the filter yet but have caught a coupler on the laoder valve twice and disconnected a hose, no damge just tilt/lift quit working, plus the branches have pulled most of the rubber dirt caps off the valve.

 

[Gittyup]

I believe Michigan iron makes and sells an und body cage.

 

[Singlemalt]

This filter must hang down a long way.

Can anyone supply a picture of it?


I'm using a full belly plate and that is no guarantee that something won't get through.

 

[Highbeam]

I've busted a couple of them. You're lucky that you were so close to home. When that filter falls off the HST trans, steering, 3ph, loader, well pretty much everything stops working so you need to be quick about lifting up the mower, the loader, and pointing your machine towards the rescue trailer.

There are different filter bases for HST or manual trans. Get the right one.

 

[dfkrug]

This filter must hang down a long way.

Can anyone supply a picture of it?

Here's a couple pix from a subframe thread. The hyd pipe in the
second photo can easily get hit, and spew your oil on the ground
at 8.3GPM. I built protection into my hoe subframe.

I put a skid plate under my Bobcat CT230, using an old remnant of
JD FEL bucket.

 

[RADDAD50]

Did they same thing about 2 years ago, easy fix just replace the housing. I also built a guard around mine and have bent the guard but never broke the filter off again.