Poorly fabricated machine broken,where do I stand?

[Yale]

Today using a machine which we purchased 18 months ago the top link attachment structure has ripped from the main frame.

Last year under warranty we had another major part of the machine replaced due to faulty welding and fabrication.

The machine has been used only by myself with extra care taken since the first failure.

Where do we stand with the machine as it would be out of 12 month warranty however I'm sure an engineer would report welding with no penetration.

Or is this an insurance issue?

Was supplied by a reputable local dealer with a large tractor franchise.

Not going to mention the brand yet as may be unfair.

Thanks in advance for opinions.

 

[Dave W]

Could you post a picture without incriminating anyone?
I'd be interested to see the failure.

 

[Yale]

Could you post a picture without incriminating anyone?
I'd be interested to see the failure.

Just took a pic

 

[Bury the Trash]

looks like it' s a design fault as much as anything..


often i see places wher extra bracing or even plating would be necessary from the off.

costs more i guess and it dosent look as pretty either ..

 

[Dave W]

In my opinion the welds across the top are acceptable as it is the metal on the box section cross piece that has split and failed.
However the weld visible down the front definitely has no penetration as you can see it is the weld itself that has pulled off the metal.

 

[Dman2]

That side weld has been doing nothing at all

 

[Bloders]

might be as well to just get it to someone with a good welding set and repair it and reinforce it as necessary?
insurance exceess with be a few hundred, you can probably get it repaired for not much more than that and will be a better job.

 

[Dave W]

That side weld has been doing nothing at all

Indeed. The rust behind it looks old whereas the ripped out bit on top looks fresh.

Without knowing the full details I'd say this has all the hallmarks of what I call speed bump damage. i.e. Hitting a bump too fast on the road and the implement bouncing up and crashing back down and the top link taking all the hit.

 

[Forever Fendt]

That side weld has been doing nothing at all

that looks like it has been done downhand with mig a waste of time as no penetration to the parent metal,the welds along the top look ok as it has torn the section away perhaps caused by slight movement as the welds on the front have been allowing it to flex so yet again a machine designed by someone who as no idea what it needs to stand up to in daily use/abuse

 

[Yale]

Indeed. The rust behind it looks old whereas the ripped out bit on top looks fresh.

Without knowing the full details I'd say this has all the hallmarks of what I call speed bump damage. i.e. Hitting a bump too fast on the road and the implement bouncing up and crashing back down and the top link taking all the hit.

It is field equipment which in operation runs with the arms down and top link taking pressure to allow ground contouring.

 

[Dave W]

It is field equipment which in operation runs with the arms down and top link taking pressure to allow ground contouring.

So in working position the top link is being compressed or stretched?

 

[multi power]

It's simply not strong enough

 

[Yale]

So in working position the top link is being compressed or stretched?

Compressed however is raised at the end of each bout as it has non steerable land wheels

 

[Yale]

It's simply not strong enough

So who takes the blame and sorts it out....?

 

[spanners and hammers]

as usual these days built down to a price, thin steel , no extra webs and braces ,,, any one remember J W BLENCH machines ,,,they never broke , you could not lift em for the heavy construction,,, sure someone will say got more powerfull tractors these days ,but that must mean they should make it stronger now

 

[Dave W]

So who takes the blame and sorts it out....?

If they couldn't make it right in the first place I'm not sure I'd want them repairing it.
£250 to a good fabricating man should be plenty to get it sorted properly

 

[Old Boar]

Anything sold has to be "fit for purpose". This obviously is not. Go back to the dealer and tell them and take it from there.

 

[Yale]

as usual these days built down to a price, thin steel , no extra webs and braces ,,, any one remember J W BLENCH machines ,,,they never broke , you could not lift em for the heavy construction,,, sure someone will say got more powerfull tractors these days ,but that must mean they should make it stronger now

On 70 hp tractor.

Not powered or soil engaging,simply runs on the land behind tractor.

 

[multi power]

So who takes the blame and sorts it out....?

Sorry but I'm going to be blunt, you bought it so it's your problem, just get your local welding man to fix it properly

 

[multi power]

Is it a topper, starting with V ?