New Kioti Owner

[saboism]

Your loader experience is different than mine. I got it off in about 5 min, drove it around a little to see what it was like, and then tried to put it back on. lined up good, hydraulics good, but then it was half an hour of fiddling with the joystick to get the pins to go back in:smiley_aafz: I don't take it off now, but don't really need to as I'm either using the loader, or mowing the woods or field, no close in work. Light isn't a problem since I have 2 forward facing ROPS mounted LED work lights that make a HUGE difference in night visibility.

When putting the loader back on, even on the perfectly even slab, I still needed to tap the pins back in with my trusty dead blow hammer. Nothing too crazy but I basically tapped the first side in with only slight pressure, then adjusted loader until the other side looked good, and still had to give the 2nd side a good couple of whacks to drive the pin in completely.

ROPS mounted LED lights is something I intend to add. Can I ask which ones you are using? Did you add them yourself or have them dealer installed?

 

[The Deerslayer]

Never having done this before, so it may be a silly question; what is the process for disconnecting/reconnecting the hoses? Any need to bleed the system after? Does fluid end up leaking out when disconnecting?

 

[saboism]

No need to bleed when reconnecting. Absolutely dry when I took it off (they tell you to wiggle the control to drain fluid after turning off engine and before removing quick disconnect hoses). I had a small bit of fluid come out of 1 or 2 hoses as I reconnected them. Quick wipe was enough get the drops. I'd say it was more my fault because I head the sleeve back longer that I should have when seating the hose.

 

[k0ua]

Never having done this before, so it may be a silly question; what is the process for disconnecting/reconnecting the hoses? Any need to bleed the system after? Does fluid end up leaking out when disconnecting?

just a few drops lost if that..No bleeding needed. Just remember to shut off engine then sit there for 20 seconds. moving the joystick to all positions multiple times. This lets the loader and bucket "settle". Then pull up close. Shut down and hook up.

 

[TJP89]

ROPS mounted LED lights is something I intend to add. Can I ask which ones you are using? Did you add them yourself or have them dealer installed?

Did them myself. I actually have 3, 2 on the ROPS forward, 1 rear facing next to the SMV and toolbox. I got fancy and wired all 3 with a switch on the dash, you could easily do a switch on the back by the toolbox.

Amazon.com: SHANREN LED Work Light Lamp Off Road High Power ATV Jeep 4x4 Tractor 27w 60 Degree Flood Light: Automotive

Those are the lights I used, work great, nice illumination, no issues through high heat and heavy snow and rain. To put one in the predrilled hole on the back of the tractor, I've had to flip the SMV and move the toolbox over an inch. I mounted the lights under the ROPS with U-bolts. All three are wired into the accessary circuit wires that come out of the big bundle that runs right under the SMV. lights, wire, switch, connectors, bolts etc, cost me about $100, well worth it IMO, and cheaper than any kit out there. No blown fuses either:thumbsup: Let me know if you want more details. Sorry, no pics right now.

I don't know what it was with loader, it was on the even concrete floor of the polebarn, and it took a while even with a hammer. It was brand new, so maybe it just needed to loosen up a little, or I hadn't quite got the hang of the controls.

 

[saboism]

Wow thanks for the awesome overview of the light system you set up. I may reach out to you for more detail when I finally get to this project. Right now it's staying light out pretty late so not bugging me enough just yet.

 

[The Deerslayer]

Thanks for the tips on the hoses. Will definitely try this when the field is ready for cutting.

 

[saboism]

Thanks for the tips on the hoses. Will definitely try this when the field is ready for cutting.

I also watched a few videos of the process first that I feel helped a bit. First below is a Kubota, 2nd a Mahindra, process is effectively the same.

 

[Gil Case]

There is one little bitty problem you can run into IF you take the loader off in the morning when it is cool and then try to put it back on in the heat of the day, pressure will build up in the loader hydraulics. You will have to relieve that pressure before you will be able to get the quick disconnects to connect again. At least I have had that problem when taking off my back hoe, I almost never have the loader off.

 

[Coyote machine]

Agree with Gil on the hose pressure building in the daytime heat. One way to avoid same is to hook back to the loader at the very end of the day after letting the tractor cool down to ambient temp. Otherwise, sometimes one may have to use a blunt end punch to tap the inner QD nipple to allow pressure/hyd oil to escape enough to allow the male to plug into the female fitting*. If doing this beware that hyd fluid should not ever enter into/under one's skin, and if for some reason it does seek immediate medical attention.
*Wear gloves and protective eyewear if trying to reduce hyd line pressure, ALWAYS!

Nice rig, BTW, but of course it is- it's a Kioti!:dance1: