Persistent post-tractor drip on KB2365

[chelydra]

Soon after I got my CK20HST just over 3 years (and 200 hours) ago, it started dripping badly from under the BH control panel. I tightened everything the dealer told me to tighten, which didn't help. Finally had it taken away. Their story was that pressure pulsations on startup had blown out some seals. They said that the rear power lever should always be in N when starting, or running when the BH is not in use.

The fix was a real hack job - looked awful, and continued to drip. I asked them to go over it all again when the machine was next for service (I had them do the 50 hr). That helped, but it still leaks a few drops a minute when running, and an ounce or so a day when standing. Not serious, but annoying - and means I can't leave it on the driveway, as the fluid eats asphalt.

Fluid drips from the bottom of the left-hand (swing/lift) valve, and seems to be oozing more slowly from the right-hand valve. It's not enough to see where it's coming from, even in the sun.

Can someone please suggest what to tighten that might help? I know it's hard without seeing the valve bodies, but perhaps there's a common weak point. Otherwise, I'll just live with it.

A related question which I'm sure has been answered on TBN, but I can't seem to find the answer: is it OK to mix brands of transmission fluid for the HST and hydraulics?

Thanks for your advice-

Chelydra

 

[jim_n_nh]

I wonder if the problem is the same as with mine. Search for my post and then PM me. Mine has had atleast two warranty issues with the controls on my 2376 backhoe. Orings and a valve replacement have been done so far. The previous owner denied any work had been done......... So pm me and we can compare notes. Also contact Kioti about your issues.

Jim_n_nh

 

[Barrettseq]

I had a KB2365 that kept leaking from the top of the valves. We pulled the whole valve assembly off and then removed each spool and replaced all of the o-rings and backup rings (top and bottom). The thing I want to mention is that the o-rings were clear and mushy when we took them out. They did not seem to agree with the tractor hyd. fluid very well. We installed new black orings with backup rings and it works great. I am sure I still have them in stock if needed.

 

[chelydra]

E-mailed Kioti a few days ago, and they called back next day - good service there. The nice lady who called took a history of the problem. Computer records there apparently didn't include dealer's three attempts to fix the problem, which surprised me - maybe they never billed the warranty system or something. She said she'd ask their service folks what could be done given the "long time out of warranty" - about four weeks now, I believe, with multiple attempts at correction under warranty (and the warranty's now 4 years anyway, right?). Oh, well. I made sure to tell them that I'm only slightly annoyed, and still think it's the greatest machine around.

Thanks for various PMs and Jim's steer to another thread. Someone said that a full fix is to add a third line to the yellow-handled back power control valve to remove residual pressure. When mine was first repaired after the blowout, the dealer said that they'd added another hydraulic line and valve, $500 worth free. I didn't see anything different, and am wondering if that's exactly what they did. It's pretty crowded under there - can someone pls tell me what to look for? Anyway, if that's handled, I guess the remaining drips would have to be from bad seals and/or loose fittings. I'll go over everything once more with a wrench when the sun comes out.

How long does it take for a moderately handy guy to replace all the seals on the KB2365 valve block? Other than keeping clean to avoid scratches, are there any concerns?

Thanks for your advice-

Chelydra

 

[kiotidrive]

Thanks for various PMs and Jim's steer to another thread. Someone said that a full fix is to add a third line to the yellow-handled back power control valve to remove residual pressure. When mine was first repaired after the blowout, the dealer said that they'd added another hydraulic line and valve, $500 worth free. I didn't see anything different, and am wondering if that's exactly what they did. It's pretty crowded under there - can someone pls tell me what to look for? Anyway, if that's handled, I guess the remaining drips would have to be from bad seals and/or loose fittings. I'll go over everything once more with a wrench when the sun comes out.

How long does it take for a moderately handy guy to replace all the seals on the KB2365 valve block? Other than keeping clean to avoid scratches, are there any concerns?

Thanks for your advice-

Chelydra

The third line only works toward the LK3054xs. The third line is added to the loader control valve of the 3054xs. There is no way to add a 3rd line to the remote valve of the CK models. They may have put in another valve in your case. I do not know why they would have put in another one on the tractor since it is your BH that is leaking. The seals on the backhoe are fairly easy to do as long as everything is very clean. The main thing is to make sure you look at how things are coming apart so you can put them back together correctly.

 

[Barrettseq]

I had a customer come in the other day and told me his bachoe was leaking where the crome shaft goes into the valves and activates the hoe. I told him how much it was going to cost for me to repair it and he decided to do it himself. He had the whole valve off in no time and brought to my shop. When he got there he wanted to save more money so I gave him the tools and o-rings and he had it repaired in no time. Again the stock O-rings that he took out were gummy and did not retain there shape.

If you would like, just call me and I will send you orings that do not distort and will last a lot longer. I have plenty in stock and can mail them to you anytime.

I hope this helps.
Joe 941-650-3713
Yanmar equipment and Kioti tractors, loaders, excavators and other machinery in Englewood, Florida - Excavator Vio20

 

[bluechip]

concerning the Kioti rep's "long out of warranty"remark, there may be some misunderstanding. While KIOTI tractors ahve a 4 year limited warranty, the loaders and backhoes as attachments are only warranted 1 year.

 

[chelydra]

concerning the Kioti rep's "long out of warranty"remark, there may be some misunderstanding. While KIOTI tractors ahve a 4 year limited warranty, the loaders and backhoes as attachments are only warranted 1 year.

You're right. When the dealer discussed the (then) 3-year machine warranty, I don't recall hearing about a shorter term on the loader and hoe. In fact, it wasn't until a couple of years later that I learned (not from the dealer) that these weren't even made by Kioti. Given the close integration of hoe and tractor - a key reason I chose Kioti in the first place - this was a natural misunderstanding. Shoulda read the fine print more carefully and asked more questions - too bad for on a first-time tractor owner.

In any case, the fact that the seals blew out very soon after purchase, and the dealer made repeated and unsuccessful attempts at a fix over a long period, ought to count for something.

I'm resigned to having the drip unless I ever get a half-day free to pull off the whole valve block and rebuild it. May not be worth the trouble.

-Chelydra

 

[VictorW]

I had the valve for a stabilyzer arm on my KB2375 not work properly from the first day. If the arm was down with a little ground pressure and you wanted to feather the lever for a little more or to level the tractor, it would just bleed off what you had until you moved the lever more which then made the arm move fast and give you to much lift. Luckily, I was under warranty but did the labor myself. First, the Kioti rep told the dealer it was the check valves in that particular valve block. I knew it wasn't but that was the route that had to be taken. Unfortunately, the entire assemble had to taken off the bh and the multiple unit had to be split because one of the two check valves per block is under one of the three rods that hold all the valves together. As mentioned, keep everything clean. It was about a three hour job the first time and it didn't fix a thing. The dealer then told the Kioti rep that a new valve block was needed. Kioti sent parts: empty valve block, spool, o-rings, check valves, and return spring. So what I did was build the complete block. This time, it only took me two hours to r&r the valve unit. You get better with practice.
I had spoke to Rick Wallace, from my frustration with the Kioti rep and the check valve idea, and Rick knew what was wrong from the start. Unfortunately, he is 5 hours away and I figured I'd give my selling dealer the chance to get this right. Rick was willing to help if all else failed even though he didn't sell the bh. The new valve unit fixed the problem as Rick diagnosed originally.
Those o-rings do seem to be the weak point in this type of valve system. Back, when this was going on, some of the dealers had mentioned on TBN that Kioti used three different types/manufactures of valve units on the their bh. I can get the names from my notes if anyone needs them. If you change the o-rings and back-up washers you should be fine unless the ends of the spools are scratched. If scratched and not to deep, try to polish them to keep the o-rings from wearing.

 

[jim_n_nh]

This seems alot like my problem on the 2376 backhoe which I am told is the same except for how it mounts. You can see my frustration in the other threads. Call 1 877 go kioti and ask for Mr Carter. Tell him that Jim Dawson isn't the only one with this issue,