What's the skinny on KMW

[dickfoster]

It seems that Kansas Machine Works builds the loaders and backhoes for Mahindra but there doesn't seem to be a lot of info about them in the Internet world. Both my new backhoe and loader have their tags on them.
Let's see Mitsubishi builds the tractor while the loader and backhoe are made in the USA by KMW, I guess Mahindra builds the engine, otherwise they have a lot of stickers and badges. Anything else? Who builds the gear boxes axles etc. ?

It looks like tractors are like cars now, essentially a global basket of components assembled by who knows, who knows where. LOL

I've actually seen Toyota Corollas and Chevy Geos built on the same line one after the other with the same parts, they only differed in badging but the retail prices varied by about two grand for the very same car. Assembled by NUMMI an independant company, like my Toyota truck, in what used to be a Ford plant which was a joint Toyota and GM effort in California but is now no more. I think the gear train for the truck came from Japan but everything else, frame body, bed etc. all were made in California, USA. Essentially there is no longer such a thing as an American car or a Japanese car or German car etc. etc. etc. I guess we're lucky that tractors aren't made in China like almost everything else including your so called Apple products. Not yet anyway.

 

[brasco426]

KMW Ltd. Front End-Loaders & Backhoes
Maybe this helps.

 

[dickfoster]

Guess I should have searched on KMW and not Kansas Machine Works. Funny though, they don't list Mahindra as a supported tractor brand when you search their products for stuff they make. In fact, there is not one word on Mahindra anywhere on their site, no pics, nuttin and I think they the central US Mahindra distributor.
Seems like this tractor business isn't all that big. The whole of KMW only employs just south of 150 souls or less all told.

 

[brasco426]

When I found the site myself I noticed the same thing you did about Mahindra. Not one mention of them on their site? Anyway how's the new tractor treating you so far.

 

[dickfoster]

When I found the site myself I noticed the same thing you did about Mahindra. Not one mention of them on their site? Anyway how's the new tractor treating you so far.

Well I suppose you could say that I've been mistreating it. It was delivered and I got to ride it around for a couple of hours and pushed over a couple of rotten stumps, then I parked it and had to leave for a few days. We got back Sunday night and it has be raining pretty steady ever since. It should be somewhat clear this afternoon so I'll try to get back on it.
I found a couple of hair pins missing for a pin on the BH thumb so I'll pick a couple up in town, fuel it up and have another go.
It looks like these things take a lot of greasing so I ordered one of those battery powered grease guns yesterday. It would take forever with the little grease gun I have now. Oh goody, another power tool for my collection. At least I managed to find one that takes the same batteries as my cordless drill and screwdriver.

 

[California]

KMW has been building for major brands for a while.

I have the manual for my early-80's Yanmar-USA loader. Several addendum pages stapled into the manual show authored by KMW.

A poster on another board worked for KMW. He told me the Great Bend loader (Not OEM) on my larger Yanmar was also made in Kansas, but about 10 years ago the Great Bend plant was bought by Bushhog then that brand was discontinued, and all product support for GB - parts lists, manuals etc - discarded.

 

[silvanaline]

Mahindra and Case IH are building these tractors right?

 

[tkevan]

Pretty sure the loader on my 2014 4025 is a Ansung. Think the ANBH86 backhoe is a Ansung also.

 

[dickfoster]

KMW has been building for major brands for a while.

I have the manual for my early-80's Yanmar-USA loader. Several addendum pages stapled into the manual show authored by KMW.

A poster on another board worked for KMW. He told me the Great Bend loader (Not OEM) on my larger Yanmar was also made in Kansas, but about 10 years ago the Great Bend plant was bought by Bushhog then that brand was discontinued, and all product support for GB - parts lists, manuals etc - discarded.

Owwww that's not good. It used to be when you bought a company you assumed it's liabilities too. The world is awash with MBA's that are constantly bringing all this kinda stuff about. Everything and anything to make the next quarter look good. How about everyone just work for a living like we all used to do?
MBA's rank just slightly above lawyers and politicians in my book. I think we could likely do with a few less of em.

It looks like you're not too far away from my digs. All of your neighbors are growing grapes and making wine while many of mine are busy growing whacky weed. Some wine up this way now but nothing like your neighborhood.

 

[dickfoster]

Mahindra and Case IH are building these tractors right?

It depends on which models. The 1500 series tractors are built by Mitsubishi in Japan while the 2500's are made by TYM in South Korea. I know the loaders and backhoes for the 1500s are made by KMW in Kansas. I don't know about the loaders and backhoes for the TYM tractors, I just know they are a little bit different from those found on the 1500's. I think the engines are all common and Mahindra made but don't ask me where they put those together, it could be anywhere. Final assembly seems to be done by the distribution centers so they can cram as much as they can into shipping containers.