New cutter - catastrophic failure

[eflyersteve]

Got a new 1533 with a 5 ft cutter and had catastrophic failure during it's first run up. It looks like there were only 4 tack welds holding the stump jumper on and it simply failed with the first run. It threw the assembly out the back, mangling things out the back.

Has anyone seen something like this happen before? I think the welds were just never finished.

 

[tow653]

Only looks like 3 spot welds to me!

 

[Industrial Toys]

Looks like it was just tacked and never welded. Probably that's when the break buzzer went off!

 

[s219]

One of the tack welds clearly had no penetration, judging by the rust. Whether or not it was just supposed to be tacked on or welded fully, I don't know, but I would certainly expect it to be welded all the way around myself!

 

[Industrial Toys]

Something that potentially lethal that has liability written all over it, I'm sure it is supposed to be fully welded. JD probably X-Rays theirs! lol

 

[Marveltone]

That's just scary! :shocked:

 

[eflyersteve]

Thanks for the reassurance that something didn't look right. s219 - I noticed that one weld immediately. I'm running it back to the dealer tomorrow and hope that they make the same observation. I've looked at several photos of similar assemblies online and they all look to be welded the entire circumference.

Hopefully I picked a good dealer and he will just replace the unit with a new one - after we have a peek underneath!

 

[jjlite]

I had mine fall apart also on the first run. Started the blades spinning and it seemed quite wobbly ran it up to pto speed to see if it would smooth out and got nothing but a giant cloud of dust and then very smooth running. Pulled forward 6ft and there was the stump jumper laying in the dirt. Unhooked the brush hog and lifted with the loader to get a look. It took a minute of staring at it to realize that the nut was still on the shaft of the gear box. When they put the darn thing together they forgot a washer. Good thing I didn't test the thing out on the paved street when the dealer unloaded the tractor who knows where it would have ended up!

 

[MAX28HST]

Unfortunate situation, but at least no one was hurt! I have same make and model... Going to see if mine is fully welded / avoid similar situation... Thank you for posting this for others to be aware! :thumbsup:

 

[bamboozled]

Kodiak, who makes the implements for Mahindra, is junk. Whoever is welding the equipment is either blind or lazy.

I bought a box blade and landscape rake when I bought my Max28, I called the salesperson and flat out told them I would be embarrassed if that equipment came out of my shop. Their response was to refund me 100 bucks. I never even used and sold the box blade and will eventually fix the welds and repaint the landscape rake. I would take that back to the dealer and get my money back if I were you.