CK35 HST shattered piston at 400 hours

[Coyote machine]

<snip>
Coyote, I had spoken to 3-4 other ck owners with the exact same issues. One had luck with just a seal being replaced (so far) the others needed the trans replaced. I'm not here to slam Kioti because I think they can build a fine (dk) tractor, but wish they would give dealers better training or reimburse them more quickly because that's what I heard when I brought it back the second time "I still haven't been paid".
Oh, I love the dk40!

Yes, now that you mention it, I do recall having spoken on the phone about your tractor. I guess I had forgotten about what the exact issue was until you cited more detail about it in this and the above post.
It's tough to recall each issue that people have, especially out of the context of the original discussion. I do remember discussing going to a DK-40 in place of the CK; not that the CK is bad as a series in Kioti's line-up, but that it would likely do a better job for you and your business, construction, if I recall correctly?

Possibly, when your trans was failing, the others hadn't yet come to pass? I ask, because if that is the case I would only have remembered our discussion in relation to your specific tractor. Either way, sorry you had a difficult time and less than satisfactory outcomes from your selling dealer, and Kioti, to the point that trading up to the DK-40 was your most reasonable and prudent outcome. I hope the DK-40 has lived up to it's rep as a bullet-proof tractor.

 

[CenTex Chris]

I traded it in on a dk40 while it was still being repaired as I didn't have time to haul this tractor around continuously.

Do you recall what kind of trade-in value you got for your CK35? With only 48 hours it must have been in like-new condition so I hope they were generous with you.

I can imagine I might be waiting on mine for a couple of months... waiting for parts and / or decisions. if I'm offered a trade toward a CK3510H or CK4010H then I'd be inclined to take them up on it, depending on the numbers.

 

[Illini22]

I think it was 14k or 14.5. It was hst and had 2 sets or remotes. Very nice shape.
Coyote, the dealer I purchased it from (10 miles from home), became a kubota dealer. I found that out when I hauled it back there. They told me it needed to be split and said they would haul it the 2 hours south to a Kioti dealer. That dealer split it, changed some seals and orings, put it back together and it still leaked! Split it again, called Kioti for better diagnostic expertise. Changed more seals and said it was good. It started leaking less than an hour (first time looking under it) after cutting some grass. They probably wouldn't get reimbursed by Kioti, again for the repair (I'm guessing).

 

[Illini22]

So when I hauled it back there, Again they played stupid, lots of phone tag. Then said they couldn't test it because I removed my top and tilt, lol. They actually said that it there rebuttal to the BBB. When I asked for a receipt for what they did (or didn't do). He said. His would have to charge me something like $30. I said I needed a receipt for what you did. He then charged me only $5.xx for "shop supplies" and stated they couldn't test hydraulics because customer removed equipment ( I brought tractor to them in the exact same state I bought it in, with the loader.

 

[Fawken]

I'm glad you chimed in here. This is why I advised Chris not to lay all his cards face up on the table- i.e. post here that he isn't going to press the situation. You called the AG Office which costs you nothing, but they sure can make life miserable for a business owner operating in their state. I'm glad you got got some recompense.

 

[buickanddeere]

There has to be industrial crate engines that will bolt in.
I wonder what neighbour did in an hour or two that you did not in 400hours. Big question is why did neighbour keep driving it at the first hint of trouble ?
Is it past the stage of a farmer fix with a sleeve, piston and rod?

 

[buickanddeere]

Doubt ether would cause that. It appears to be just the skirt that shattered and the lower ring. If ether damaged it the top of the piston would have failed and it would not have started at all. Never seen one do that.

Has anybody mentioned yet that neighbour may have ran the tractor out of fuel and started it on ether until it primed ? Ask the contractor who brought the gravel. I still have to read 18 pages yet.

 

[Fawken]

.... Big question is why did neighbour keep driving it at the first hint of trouble ?
.....

Obviously the same reason the knowledgeable dealer drove it all over the lot and then back onto the trailer.

 

[aczlan]

Obviously the same reason the knowledgeable dealer drove it all over the lot and then back onto the trailer.

And the same reason the "Kioti Mechanic" put the dirty oil that came out of the pan back into the top of the engine...

Aaron Z

 

[Fawken]

And the same reason the "Kioti Mechanic" put the dirty oil that came out of the pan back into the top of the engine...

Aaron Z

Yep. That beats all I've ever heard. Maybe he was in shock from seeing a piston skirt shatter. I know I might be since in all my days I've never seen one do that. I showed the pics to my chief welder at the shop today. 30 years building race cars it was a first for him as well.