Kubota 7.7 Backhoe broken step

[markmcn]

I was out digging / pulling stumps today with my L3200 Kubota w/ the Kubota 7'7" backhoe. After working for several hours I went to get off the hoe; stepped on the assist step; and almost fell. Obviously, at some point I must have set the stabilizer arm on a rock or something as it was broken in a couple of spots. So, now I need to fix it or replace it. The metal doesn't appear to be high quality steel ... more like pot metal; which would explain why it fractured the way it did. Has anyone seen a good alternative or have a suggestion on how to upgrade the backhoe steps? The hoe only has 20hrs on it so I want to do something that is good looking as well as structurally improved.

Thanks for your help.

Mark

 

[Arc weld]

A pic. would help. Maybe it can be replaced on warranty?

 

[boggen]

pictures? sounds more like manufacture defect possibly. doesn't matter what company, things do get through.

 

[markmcn]

I'll post a pic tomorrow ... should have probably waited to post this question until I had one to attach. Sorry.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Just get yourself some 1" thick structural floor grating and with a little cutting and tack welding you can make a duplicate shape to weld on it. That is what my backhoe steps are made from.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Not sure what they look like or if this applies in you situation, but You could run chain for steps, they give if you hit something.

 

[markmcn]

Thanks for the replies. Structural floor grating is a good idea ... I'm just not much of a welder. I will also check with my dealer regarding warranty possibilities, but I doubt of that dog will hunt. Here are a couple of photos.

 

[Sportsman762]

I would just bend it back into position then have someone weld it. I can not think of any way to improve it. There is no better place for the step so the manufacture had to put it there.

 

[Gary Fowler]

As I said, get some structural steel floor grating, cut out a typical section (it doesn't need to be rounded, square would work) and weld it to the same location after removing the Kubota original. If you don't have a welder, most welding shops would have some grating and could put a new step on pretty quickly.