What I Like About My DK55c

[Oleozz]

I thought my 45 was a bit heavy using diesel until I got a 140hp (PTO) IH. I never realized how nice I had it with the Kioti, the IH just gulps it when doing heavy field work. The tank is 42 gal so it cost me about $170 to fill it up.

[bellcon]

I just got my 55c about a month ago so not much feedback yet. So far so good. I primarily got it for snowremoval so I don't think I'll get to put it to the test untill next winter. I also picked up a second hand Lorenz 78" pto snow blower. I think it's a little small for this tractor but I figured it would let me see how much I use it before I spend $4k on one. I'll let you know how it works.
Scott

[Oleozz]

Welcome Scott.
It will be interesting to hear how you like your 55 for snow removal. I watched a video on YouTube of a Kioti blowing snow and it was making that snow fly.

[jeffva]

I like my dk55c, and have about 210 hrs on it - bought it new. I use my grapple tons, a 7' brushbull quite a bit, although I smashed the tail wheel and need to straighten it out. I'd say the tail end on the brushbulls might be a bit weak.

I've snapped the radio antenna - it should be on the back, not the side. The hydraulics could use a touch more juice, but not like my kubotas... way too much there!

I like the weight/power/size ratios. I can do what I want where I want. The loader doesn't tilt back far enough and I hear Kioti fixed that, but they want about a $1000 for the retrofit... a bit of a rip-off, since their engineering wasn't spot on!

I have the industrial tires and slip a bit, but I like the size and weight. I handle this by running in 4wd when I need to. As for the cab, it is fairly nice. I'd like to see the panel holding the controls and radio moved forward 1/2 a foot or so. I've about smashed my head more than once... and yes I know I'm supposed to be wearing my seat belt!

The toplink catch needs to be tilted more, otherwise the toplink pops out. I've done this the old fashion way - hammer! If a run the bushhog for 4+ hours straight - which I'm going to do this weekend - the hydraulics get hot and the loader gets spongy... I hear there is a cooler for the oil, but again this is a retrofit. My dealer says to measure the outlet temp, but we know this is happening, so why not just put the unit on?

The Culpeper dealer closed shop, and I had a chance to talk with him. He loves the tractors and was selling the $&%& out of them, but the dealer support for Virginia was seriously lacking - his words not mine. This is another easy to fix issue, if Kioti wants to compete... and I hope they do!

The bottom line is "would I buy another?". I would ... I have fords, kubotas and kiotis. The Kiotis are really horses and if Kioti commits to the long haul, they'll have a nice tractor line.