Is Kioti addressing ongoing problems

[PA hayseed]

I haven't posted on this board for awile, but your thread caught my eye.

I have a DK45se hst, have had it awhile, since 06 or 07, has over 600 hours on it (don't know exactly without looking). I used the heck out of the loader, clay, shale, topsoil, gravel, sandstone, wood, whatever would fit in there. I use it extensively for cutting my field, 5-7 hours straight. I use it to dig post holes, till the garden, hauling cement, putting in posts (T, U, and wooden), carry pallets of stuff, and hauling water. Lately I have been using it to grade ground for other folks. I also use it for snow removal (not so much this year). I also use it as a ladder system, and for dragging and knocking over trees.

Having said this, I really haven't had many problems with it. It is stored indoors for the most part.

My biggest problem is the speed with it in general. Too slow on the road, too slow in medium gear, and too slow in low. When I am working with it I want it to go from point a to point b in no time flat. There are limitations to tractors, which I understand, but I just think it goes too slow. My .02.

My biggest complaint besides the speed, is that it doesn't lift enough weight. I want to unload a ton of x on a pallet, but the forks add weight, so it won't lift a ton of x off the trailer or back o the pickup and haul it away. The tractor has limitations, I get that, but I would like to be able to lift a ton of x on a pallet with the forks on the tractor. It isn't a balance issue, as the rear is properly weighted, the arm just won't move it.

So there you have it. A kioti owner who admits to using his equipment and having some issues. Mechanically, the filters are pricey, the fluids can be a bit of a bear to put in the tractor, the magnets on the filter are tricky, the loader arms can be tricky to remove on a gravel drive and then re-attach.

Best things - adjustable rears (enough said there), quick attach bucket/forks, weight of the tractor.

Hope you do well in your search for a tractor. If I ever buy again, I'm getting a cab on a Kioti - I'm not gettin younger, the winters are not really warmer, and the summers aren't cooler.

 

[Lloyd_E]

Technically a ton is 2200 lbs give or take.
The 451 loader - one recommended for the 45se - has the following specs:

Relief Valve Setting (Loader Control Valve) 2,600 psi
Lift Capacity to Full Height at Pivot Pins 2,800 lbs
Breakout Force at Pivot Pin 4,500 lbs

Although I don't think I have lifted a ton with mine - I have lifted some heavy stuff.
3/4 load bricks on a pallet, large logs - 28" diameter 10-12' long etc.

I do agree it does not have a lot of speed on the road...

 

[MotorSeven]

PA, I agree with Lloyd, you should be able to lift a ton clean with no problems. This is assuming the load does not stick out over the front of the forks. I have lifted well over a ton to full height an many occasions(using forks), so you might want to check your relief valve, and pump pressure. You could be missing out on some performance if something is not set at the right limit.

And PLUS 10 on those magnets on the drain plugs...talk about a cursefest when trying to get 'em back in...sheesh, they must have used super duty rare earth magnets:laughing:

I think that's a pretty fair assessment of the DK40SE. A gear or shuttle will definitely leave you in a cloud of dust...but I'll take that trade off any day...er, or rather my left knee will take it(NO CLUTCH!!!)

As for the road speed: it gives me time for a cigar and some sightseeing:thumbsup:

 

[Kioti Tom]

Hold on, we are talking two different tons here...US tons= 2000 lbs.
Metric tonnes= 2200 lbs. So, when talking tons/tonnes, see where poster is from and adjust weight appropiately. :thumbsup:

The debbil made me say that

Tom

 

[IslandTractor]

I have no trouble imagining that Hayseed has trouble lifting a pallet weighing a ton into or out of a pickup. Lift to full height at the pivot pins is 2700lbs. The forks weigh more than a bucket a d more importantly the load is centered two to almost three feet from the pivot pins. I haven't done the trigonometry but it isn't hard to imagine a 20-30% loss of lift capacity at that distance. I'd be surprised if he couldn't lift a 1500 lb pallet to 4 feet but 2000 lbs is borderline. That said, I'd also check the pressures.

 

[Lloyd_E]

If the rear 3 pt hitch is up holding weight - ie: box blade would this make a difference.
It needs hydraulic power to lift does it not... putting more strain on the pump.

My forks weigh less than my loader bucket. They are 4' forks on quick attach mount. I can move them around if need be by hand... but cannot move the loader bucket.

 

[PA hayseed]

Lloyd and motor

I have done the "how much can the kioti lift" dance on this board before. Have had my tractor checked by the dealer. Everything is as it should be.

E.G. A ton of wood pellets on a skid in the bed of my chevy 2500(have done this many times). The forks weigh several hundred pounds, the skid weighs about 40 pounds+/-, and the shrink wrap and plastic is a non issue. The bed of the truck is approximately 3 feet off the ground, the skid is worked to the edge of the bed using the forks (tailgate removed). the forks are inserted fully into the pallet, and there is some fork sticking out on the other side. Remember, the bed of truck is not exactly on the grill of the tractor, nor is it directly on the loader arms, so we are talking about a 6-12" of clearance (gap between bed/bumper and tractor grill). Apply the FEL controller in the proper direction and nothing. Zip, zilch.

Now, if I take off about 10-12 40 pound bags (400-480 pounds) it will lift it,and move it up down and curl...

I won't get into the how it can lift a ton of pellets if I take the time to restack them by the loader arms, as it defeats the purpose of gtting a pallet material and pallet forks. I want to lift a ton of material x on a pallet out of a truck/trailer and not screw around with it. Can it lift a ton, sure, if it is done very technically. Will it WORK with a ton on a pallet - no. To me, this is the key factor, not the technical specifications.

Next tractor will be bigger and I wont have this issue again. Or I will improve the cylinders and arms.

I won't even get near a pallet of block or brick discussion, nor a palletized water container.

 

[IslandTractor]

Lloyd and motor

I have done the "how much can the kioti lift" dance on this board before. Have had my tractor checked by the dealer. Everything is as it should be.

E.G. A ton of wood pellets on a skid in the bed of my chevy 2500(have done this many times). The forks weigh several hundred pounds, the skid weighs about 40 pounds+/-, and the shrink wrap and plastic is a non issue. The bed of the truck is approximately 3 feet off the ground, the skid is worked to the edge of the bed using the forks (tailgate removed). the forks are inserted fully into the pallet, and there is some fork sticking out on the other side. Remember, the bed of truck is not exactly on the grill of the tractor, nor is it directly on the loader arms, so we are talking about a 6-12" of clearance (gap between bed/bumper and tractor grill). Apply the FEL controller in the proper direction and nothing. Zip, zilch.

Now, if I take off about 10-12 40 pound bags (400-480 pounds) it will lift it,and move it up down and curl...

I won't get into the how it can lift a ton of pellets if I take the time to restack them by the loader arms, as it defeats the purpose of gtting a pallet material and pallet forks. I want to lift a ton of material x on a pallet out of a truck/trailer and not screw around with it. Can it lift a ton, sure, if it is done very technically. Will it WORK with a ton on a pallet - no. To me, this is the key factor, not the technical specifications.

Next tractor will be bigger and I wont have this issue again. Or I will improve the cylinders and arms.

I won't even get near a pallet of block or brick discussion, nor a palletized water container.

If that last 400lbs of pellets is the only real problem with the loader, why not consider putting on slightly larger hydraulic rams? It would slow down the loader a bit but should increase your lift capacity. Not a cheapo solution but cheaper than replacing the whole tractor if that last 400lbs is really the only issue.

Also, can you curl the load off the truck bed and then slide it off? The loader should easily be able to handle holding the load while you move it. If it cannot curl or "breakout" (curl plus lift) the 2000lb load to pivot then I guess I don't understand how breakout is measured. It should be able to breakout something like 3700lbs at pivot pins when flat. Could you build a ramp so the loader is "flat" on the pickup bed before lifting/curling?

The granite rock in the photos was pulled out of the ground while in the tips of my grapple by curling and lifting. It measures at 12cu/ft and that makes it just over one ton. It is about 3.5 feet (on center) from the pivot pins. I could pull it out of the ground (additional resistance) without too much trouble at all but it surely wasn't lifting very quickly after I got to this level. If your tractor was elevated on some sort of dock/ramp you might have better mechanical leverage with the loader.

 

[MotorSeven]

I have no trouble imagining that Hayseed has trouble lifting a pallet weighing a ton into or out of a pickup. Lift to full height at the pivot pins is 2700lbs. The forks weigh more than a bucket a d more importantly the load is centered two to almost three feet from the pivot pins. I haven't done the trigonometry but it isn't hard to imagine a 20-30% loss of lift capacity at that distance. I'd be surprised if he couldn't lift a 1500 lb pallet to 4 feet but 2000 lbs is borderline. That said, I'd also check the pressures.

I disagree, I have lifted a least 2600lbs lbs of 6x6x8 logs. The trick is to curl as soon as you can since that puts weight back towards the pins, then lift. I still think he has a over-pressure valve or pump adjustment in order.

 

[IslandTractor]

I disagree, I have lifted a least 2600lbs lbs of 6x6x8 logs. The trick is to curl as soon as you can since that puts weight back towards the pins, then lift. I still think he has a over-pressure valve or pump adjustment in order.

We'll see what he says but I'm thinking it has to do with where he is starting to lift. Lifting from the back of a pickup compared to from the ground is a big mechanical disadvantage. I totally believe you can lift 2600lbs in logs and curling first is exactly what I do with heavy loads.