2018-11-23 Kioti Rear Tire Torn (Again)

2018-11-23 Kioti Rear Tire Torn (Again)

While performing my weekly maintenance check, discovered that two lugs have been severely damaged. This is the same tire I replaced for what I then that was a delaminated lug. Now I know the true cause for both of these failures.

As delivered, it's possible cause the ripper teeth to come in contact with the tire!

Exactly the same position of the the damage on the tire. See later pictures for damage.

I paid over $1,200 repair/replace dollars when the original tire was damaged. Note that Kioti did not warranty the tire, saying it looked like a cut. But I don't have any metal or even sharp rocks on my property, which made wonder what really occurred to cause the damage. I bit the bullet and paid the cash. First I hired a commercial tire company to travel to the ranch and boot then tube the tire. But the repair failed, and the gash continued to increase. So another house call ($$$), a new tire ($$) and all is good. Or so I thought. 

Here's another view of the problem.

This is position causing contact. I do a lot of light road grading, and this position is 'finishing' position after the last layer of DG  base is in place. Note that the rippers are full up position. If lowered, the damage would be worse.

Big picture view.

Tire damage on two lugs.

This puncture wound is very close to tire carcass. It's actually worse than the first tire I replaced.

Another view.

As delivered, main ram in the center position. I think if the lowest position is used, there would not be an interference problem.

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So I'm not happy with this situation. No adjustments have been made to the box scraper linkage, it's 'as delivered'. Either Kioti has an engineering issue, or the box scraper wasn't properly installed by the dealer. I'm fully expecting this tire to be replaced and installed on someone else money this time.