Kioti owners - Thanks... I think??

[gravel13]

Dave, is the loader you are looking at cracked yet? Don't forget there are only about 25% of the KL130 loaders on this board that cracked. ( I believe that was the percentage, plus or minus) Unfortunately mine is one. I have yet to stop using it and my dealer has been in contact with Kioti about the issue. I'm just trying to say that not all of the loaders cracked, there was someone on here with close to 400 Hrs with no cracks. Also, I have heard that pretty much all backhoes will have some leak down over time. It is the ones that leak down after a few hours that may be problematic, although I haven't heard of any real problems with that backhoe. I had heard there were some issues with the hoe on some of the LK3054's. Granted it is your money and you probably don't want to take a chance and I don't blame you, but like it was mentioned you probably are reading the majority of the problems here because this seems to be the site where most people go for help . Good luck with which ever brand you pick.

[MichiganIron]

Just to make sure the most recent information is included in this discussion, the KL130 loader has been re-designed, and the KB23xx Backhoes have been replaced by the KB24xx backhoes. Customers really like the new curved boom design and have made it a point to mention how nice the hydraulics are on the KB24xx backhoes.

These issues have lived there useful life and have both been addressed by KIOTI. It is unfortunate that some customers don't feel like they got the quality product or the professional response they deserve.

[Charlesaf3]

an aside - backhoe and loader leakdown over time is normal, as far as I understand. I certainly have that on my Kubota, I wouldn't worry about it unless it was fast - you shouldn't have to correct for it while using it.

[rcrcomputing]

Originally Posted by MichiganIron

These issues have lived there useful life and have both been addressed by KIOTI. It is unfortunate that some customers don't feel like they got the quality product or the professional response they deserve.

That's simply not true. The loader issue has NOT been addressed for the loader. Unless someone came and fixed mine in the middle of the night and I just haven't noticed yet..

[Oleozz]

After reading many posts on other sites about older tractors and loaders it seems like quite a few have hairline cracks and it hasn't affected their usefulness.
Many folks are upset about how Kioti handled the problem, I don't blame them. If the truth be known I think many dealers were also bothered by the whole mess. All tractors eventually have problems, hopefully Kioti Corp has learned from this and won't make the same mistakes twice.

[IXLR8]

On this loader thing.. I think part of the problem is the dealers. When I was looking for a tractor, I went to a Kioti dealer who is often listed in sales in the top 10 dealers, several times in the top 5, in the USA. When I asked him about a fix for the cracked loader issue, he said there was no issue, so there was no fix. I went to a smaller dealer, he acknowledged the issue, said there was a fix, but it didn't fit all the loaders due to small changes made over the life of the KL130_ model. He said he puts the fix on all loaders that come through his shop, if they are cracked or not. Guess which dealer got the sale. Did Kioti fix the problem on the new loaders... yes, did Kioti do much about the old loaders that had the issue... not to the satisfaction of many.

[RexB]

Originally Posted by Dave from GA

I was considering a used 2005 CK-25 tractor. Looks great, low hours, beautiful condition, reasonable asking price for what it is... Problem is, it's got both an old style KL-130 Front End Loader AND a KB-2365 BackHoe.

After browsing this forum and reading the crack problems with the FEL and hydraulic problems with the BH, and more importantly the aparent lack of response from Kioti helping existing owners get a fix...

I'm not a troll or trying to incite a riot here.

Fact is, I really like the equipment for the price and I'd still seriously consider it if I didn't feel like failure was eminent and unavoidable.
Dave

Yes Kioti screwed the pooch by not quickly reacting to the KL130 loader arm so-called 'surface' cracks. I don't recall reading about any actual loader arm failures because of it, and the cracks were only in some of the loaders. Mine is the fixed KL130B bought in mid-2007 with the tractor.

The KB2365 backhoe hydraulics were also for a portion of the total owners -- you may have read my thread about a KB2375 backhoe fast leak-down on mine, I fixed it by replacing the boom cylinder supplied by the dealer under warranty. The backhoe still dug well and now I have a backup boom cylinder.

The Case and Kubota backhoes (TLB's) that I rented before buying this Kioti CK30 TLB had the same leak-down, it just took them longer.

Forums' biggest percentage of posts is about how to fix problems, and rightfully so, we're here to help each other. Here's a few problems over the years from around the boards, that I considered in addition with Kiotis' probs before buying this one. (Plus the $6-9K lower price for a tractor that I enjoy treating like a bulldozer sometimes, oops):

BH-75 Backhoe Hydraulic Issue..... Ongoing!

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/h...ding-when.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/photos/s...cat/500/page/1

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/n...or-engine.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/k...clearance.htmlstart w post #8

http://************.com/cgi-bin/trac...ubota%20Review

As far as going ahead and buying the 2005 CK25 w/ the KL130 & KB2365, more owners of that model may chime in with advice about what they would do now after experience with it.

I think you're giving Kioti/Daedong Corp a fair shake, they are slow dealing with the old loader, and hope you find the best tractor for you. If that KL130 doesn't yet have cracks it may never get them. Ask your nearest dealer if he has the kit and will install it, the warranty is 4 years and may transfer with owners (anyone had experience with warranty transfer to a new owner yet?)

Dealers love seeing us come cash in hand

[Gittyup]

I think the 2005 models only had a 3 year warranty. Four years didn't start until 2006, if I'm not mistaken.

[jim_n_nh]

On my backhoe I wouldn't have complained if it was just leak down, it was the gallons of fluid pissing out of the spooling valve that got me upset. As I stated I have never heard from Kioti.

Remeber the senior citizen who was neglected by Comcast? She went further than I ever would but her phone did get fixed

[Dave from GA]

I appreciate all your input folks, and I do think maybe I've overreacted a bit because happy owners with zero problems and top-notch service from their dealers aren't coming on here singing praises as often as folks who have problems.

But I did do a little more reading here and found an impressive number of people who DID a favorable post either for their tractor or service from their dealer. Considering that it's my experience that the squeaky wheel does, in fact, get the grease, these posts probably say more FOR Kioti than the problems posts say against them.

So, maybe I was a little hasty. Kioti's back on my list and I've contacted the fellow who has one for sale and we'll see if we work it out. Otherwise, the free loader deal on a new CK35 maybe a good one too.

As an aside - I've used forums as a research tool for buying/learning/talking about quite a few other things. This forum has been way more friendly and full of folks with rational and reasonable comments than any I've ever experienced. I appreciate it.

Dave