Crack in Toolcat frame

[MetroX]

Over the weekend I was doing some routine maintenance on my 2004 B series, and I think I found out what has been squeaking for the last couple years. I know it might be hard to recognize the area this happened, it is the riser that comes up to the base of the windshield to mount the front arm. If you were to look behind the front axle, near where the front shocks mount, you would see this area on the passenger side.

Here is a picture of it:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EcpTXakj8bN1wJNuUxCzptMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

Does anyone know the warranty that Bobcat offered on the Toolcat in 2004? Any chance of a 'lifetime' warranty against cracking?

While I do use my Toolcat nearly every day, I only have about 1450 hours total on it in nearly 8 years. I would think the most punishing thing I do with it is to plow snow, otherwise I use the bucket to move horse poop, forks to move hay, and the mower deck to cut the grass.

 

[timm9]

Metro,

It appears that the photo did not load...

 

[timm9]

Metro,

Thank you for the 'heads up'. I will be inspecting mine shortly. Any idea what caused it?

Tim

 

[Zork]

Can we get an additional photo with a larger area that is not so close up?

 

[MetroX]

I added a zoomed out picture to this album. The way this is cracked is from pushing back or up on the lift arm, so anytime I would drive into a pile of 'dirt' or push snow would be the kind of force to cause this. It surprises me though, the frame looks tough enough for the job. I have never ran into a stationary object or had any kind of collision with it.

To add insult to injury, when I lifted the front end off the ground to get a better look at this area, my passenger shock let go so now I have to replace that too. Yikes. It was fine until the shock had to contain the spring at full extension, that is when it popped. Hope I can buy the shocks separate from the springs to save some money.

There are a couple more pictures here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/103878873596482813094/ToolcatFrameCrack?authuser=0&feat=directlink

 

[MetroX]

A review of my (very) Limited Warranty Statement does not call out any special treatment for the frame, so same 1 year warranty as the rest of the machine. Given that, and knowing that welding is more art than equipment, would you trust your local Bobcat dealer with a repair like this?

 

[timm9]

Metro,

While I have enjoyed an excellent relationship with my dealer, If it were me I would take it to an experienced Welder.

 

[RoyJackson]

Metro,

While I have enjoyed an excellent relationship with my dealer, If it were me I would take it to an experienced Welder.

Same here..and I wouldn't want just a butt weld. If there's room, I'd want a doubler patch welded over the cracked area.
BTW, although I doubt this applies, make sure you can weld on the frame (call or e-mail Toolcat). That frame might be a high strength steel...reasoning behind this is, if you look at a tractor (as in tractor trailer) frame, you'll see a sticker prohibiting welding on the frame.

 

[SSdoxie]

It is OK to weld on the frame. It is not special steel like the cab frame or ROPS. Be sure to disconnect the battery and unplug both controllers (main connection at the dash panel and controller behind the passenger seat).

 

[ax2n38]

That is definitely a stress fracture possibly caused by and or contributed to and by corrosion. I agree with the others ~ pro welder. GL

 

[MetroX]

I finally had a specialist come out to repair the frame failure on my Toolcat, here are some pictures of the welding process:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/...lbums/5724201079574223521/5724282191249371698

Now that I have it apart, I will fix up some rusty spots and then start to reassemble it!

 

[bbonds]

Warning!!!
You should all check this area on your toolcats religiously!
There is a joint there on the sides that Bobcat didn't weld...i guess they saved 5 bucks or something. Allows it to stress there. Mine cracked across the front which allowed the column to push backwards which busted my windshield in 2007. Bobcat said sorry stress cracks are not our problem. So 750 bucks later for a windshield and a decent amount of welding on the front (myself).
Then in 2007 the side welds cracked open and the column pushed back and busted another windshield. Another 750 and did a ton of welding on the front and sides, then added reinforcing plates on top of that to further reinforce the area. Have had no more problem since. But the welding did burn a wire down inside the column which would not let the machine move. I couldn't find the problem so I had to pay Bobcat for that one. Glad it was just a wire though. The Bobcat dealer did say they had a bunch of those crack/windshield problems early on (mine is an A model I think, 2003. First yr made) but that Bobcat covered a few at first then started calling the cracks an abuse problem.

So check yours regularly! a little welking is inexpensive compared to both welding and a windshield!

bbonds
Then

 

[yellowdogsvc]

Reminds me of the boom cracks on the 863 c and f series machines. Late machines had gussets welded at the factory. Under warranty, my 863 developed a small crack in the lift arms. Because i had a full warranty, the replaced the entire lift arms which surprised me. They then welded gussets to beef that up and I never had another problem. When I sold it for a G series, the factory gussets looked and worked about the same. Less flex.
Maybe the toolcat needs something like that? I need to go look at mine. I remember when this post first came out and I spent quite awhile looking for cracks. My toolcat has always squeaked and creaked and when I have a heavy load on on it, I feel like something is going to snap. Been thinking a lot about the lift arm design and wondering if it's just not designed well. Seems to me that there is too much stress on one point.