Just got myself a beast - 2012 DK40SE HST

[Rowdy Redneck]

Well, after months of searching, missing out on several good deals, and getting tired of the whole process, I finally bought a tractor. I was just about to buy a new New Holland Boomer 33 at the local dealer, but ended up buying the DK from a dealer a couple of hours away. I wouldn't say it was a great deal, and it looked to have been worked fairly hard, but it was within my budget and has already started to earn its keep.

I actually bought a set of 42" pallet forks a few days before getting the tractor. Eventually I plan on a finish mower and whatever implements I need to plant a half acre or so of pumpkins. I would love a grapple but it would be hard to justify the cost.

I used it for an hour a couple of days ago when I first got it, then about five yesterday. Tomorrow I will put in a full ten hour day. So far it has moved a big HVAC unit, removed a bit of an old sidewalk, carted a lot of wood to the burn pile, and helped tear down a house. It is a strong machine and I am so happy I bought it instead of the NH.

Here are a couple of pictures...

 

[meanstreak]

Glad that you didn’t buy the new holland, I had one and the 33 was to slow in low gear going up a grade and it didn’t have enough power in high range, I upgraded to the tc45d ad was very satisfied. Now I’m thinking of getting the kioti nx5510. Got to check with the boss first!

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

TC40/45 was actually the other one I was most inderested in. Saw a couple of great deals, but they went very quickly, and didn't have the hydro transmission. I also had a name picked out for a New Holland - "Bonnie". Not sure what I will call the Kioti.

 

[rhunt]

Congrads on your tractor purchase, looks like your loader level indicator needs repair. Bob

 

[Thomas]

BIG congrats on your new investment...your muscles and bones will be thank you in years to come. :thumbsup:

 

[Msamt]

Congrats, you'll be amazed what that machine will be able to do.

 

[chuck172]

Very strong loader on that machine, good luck with it.

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

Thanks for the kind words guys! I hope to get a lot of work done with it.

Bob, you are correct about the load level indicator. Trying to decide if I want to repair it. Never had one on my old tractor, but now that I have pallet forks it might come in handy.

 

[rhunt]

Very hard to judge where the forks are even with the level indicator. I found that by mounting an camera on the grill guard I have eye's up front and this eliminates alignment problems. Bob

 

[southerniltractor]

rhunt, what is your camera setup? I'm not a tall fellow, and it is often impossible to gain a view of where the forks and bucket really are in relation to their target.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[rhunt]

I purchased this on Amazon, Canecho monitor system model cm00-r000902, asin b00m979ul2 @ $69.99 and extra long cord set hx-rd10m, asin b00dvzycms @ $10.95. Note that the 0's may be o's. Works well. You need to supply 12 volts to both units so they are not truly wireless and I used an magnet I removed from an old speaker and mounted this on the camera so it could be relocated if needed. Amazon has many camera systems available an the price ranges from low as this is to pretty pricey. The wireless term is for the small controller that I really don't use. There are other posts here regarding these systems others have installed so do a search and get some idea's. Best of luck, Bob

 

[Gator6x4]

Congrats on the new tractor. I would highly recommend you considering a ballast box for the rear, either one you make or purchase that will add 800-900 pound to the rear. You will be surprised on the longevity it will add to the front drive train and how much more stable it will make the unit when being used to lift heavy objects.

One of the neatness ballast boxes I have seen made was made from a plastic storage container purchased at Wal-Marts. The gentleman purchased two three point hitch connector pins at Tractor Supply and welded a steel rod in between them. He then purchased the plastic storage container, bored the holes where he wanted them, placed the rod and connector pins through the holes and filled it with concrete. He let it set for several days and then cut away the plastic.

 

[Msamt]

I would highly recommend you considering a ballast box for the rear, either one you make or purchase that will add 800-900 pound to the rear. You will be surprised on the longevity it will add to the front drive train and how much more stable it will make the unit when being used to lift heavy objects.

I second the motion on ballast, it's amazing how much more stable the machine is with weight on the 3ph.
I made mine in a similar manner with a poly barrel, ~1000 lbs

 

[marchanna]

I always have either my backhoe or mower on the back of mine.

 

[kspring61]

Great machine and congrats

I typically have the box blade on the back of mine or the mower for ballast when using the grapple or bucket

 

[k0ua]

TC40/45 was actually the other one I was most inderested in. Saw a couple of great deals, but they went very quickly, and didn't have the hydro transmission. I also had a name picked out for a New Holland - "Bonnie". Not sure what I will call the Kioti.

Wiley!. Welcome to the pack:thumbsup: The book recommends 1100 lbs for rear ballast.

 

[k0ua]

Thanks for the kind words guys! I hope to get a lot of work done with it.

Bob, you are correct about the load level indicator. Trying to decide if I want to repair it. Never had one on my old tractor, but now that I have pallet forks it might come in handy.

The load level indicator is actually pretty useful. Mine fell off and twisted up the rod in the first few hours. I applied locktite and stippled the threads after straightening out the rod. All of those load level indicators came unscrewed in those years. Mine has been solid ever since I repaired it.

 

[cat fever]

Welcome, and another vote on the ballast box. I put it off for a couple years and finally made this one. Sure wish I had done it sooner.

 

[k0ua]

Thats a really nice one Lynn.

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

Thanks for the nice words and comments on the ballast box everybody. Yours looks great Lynn. I am thinking that I will get rear pallet forks and then build something heavy that I can quickly load and unload with them.