Any help from Kioti on broken subframe

chubby · May 14, 2014

11/11/11 purchased DK50 loader and hoe. Today subframe cracked on both sides at the the location where frame starts to stack. Now I read this site often and have read where other subframes where rusty and that was said to be the reason. My is not rusty and every 100hrs I check or torque all loader and hoe bolts. I have used the hoe just as I have the two other hoes I have owned. Tractor has 660 hrs and probably 300 hrs is on the hoe. Backhoe warranty says 1 year, but a broken subframe where this is cracked is poor design. My last 2 hoes had 0 issues. But both also used the 3pt top link. I know Kioti says NO to the top link, but this is crazy. Any stories on how to get some assistance from Kioti or where to buy a new subframe a good price would be great. Thanks

whis · May 14, 2014

have someone weld up the cracks

tman1020 · May 14, 2014

I would think repair what u have would be best then u can reinforce stress areas as needed. I'm thinking that if u broke a subframe then u dodged a bullet vrs. Tractor repair.

VictorW · May 15, 2014

I understand your frustration but unfortunately you're over the one year. My KB2375 on my CK30hst is 9 years old and still no problems but it is also not as strong as yours. I believe you have the KB2485. My bh will move the tractor around when digging hard stuff but my tractor is also lighter than yours which may keep some of the stress off the mounting frame by the tractor moving. You could buy another subframe from a dealer if you wanted but I would probably just reinforce and weld what you have. I haven't seen any of the members with the KB2475 posting that they broke their subframe so you may just have received a bad one and a new one might hold up better.

chubby · May 16, 2014

Emailed pictures of both sides of frame, one side is split with 1/8 in other with 3/8 in, to dealer and he forwarded to Kioti rep. So we will see what happens. Separted hoe from subframe and took frame to a machine shop. Cracks can't be welded. Tech said this was bound to fail. And at the place that it failed. Left with them to reinforce top and side and other ideas they come up with. Hope all is completed by Monday pm. Maybe Kioti will help!

Gary Fowler · May 16, 2014

I have never seen any crack that cant be welded in plain carbon steel when done properly. I would take it to someone who knows a bit more about welding. I would drill a hole at the end of the crack to stop it from running then double bevel it so I could get full penetration weld, then weld it up with 7018. After welding the original steel, I would put on some doubler plates on the areas of stress and weld them solid.

RickB · May 17, 2014

Gary Fowler said:
I have never seen any crack that cant be welded in plain carbon steel when done properly. I would take it to someone who knows a bit more about welding. I would drill a hole at the end of the crack to stop it from running then double bevel it so I could get full penetration weld, then weld it up with 7018. After welding the original steel, I would put on some doubler plates on the areas of stress and weld them solid.

I agree. "It can't be welded" really means "I don't want to fix it and be responsible if I don't do it right."