g8erh8er
Silver Member
Let me preface this post by saying that my experience below shouldn't be construed as a blanket statement that all RK tractors with 3rd function valves may have these issues. It's simply what I experienced. No ill-will toward RK - other than these small issues, the tractor is fantastic.
If you order your RK tractor with a 3rd function valve installed, do yourself a favor and check over the installed components carefully. When I parked my tractor at the house the day I took it home, I noticed a puddle of hydraulic fluid forming just behind the bucket. After closer inspection, it became clear that the hydraulic fluid was leaking from one of the 3rd function fittings. I tightened it and no more leaking. OK - no big deal, but it was a decent leak, a drip every three seconds, certainly enough to spot with the untrained eye, even more so when inspected by a trained technician.
So I decided to check over the rest of the 3rd function components. When I came to the small black box attached just to left of the valves, I noticed something didn't look right with the screw, it was kinda sticking proud a little bit. When I felt it, it was completely loose, not threaded into the hole even a little bit. OK - tightened that down.
Then I moved on to the engine compartment. This is what my battery looked like.
The 3rd function wires to the battery were installed parallel with the front axle. This makes it impossible to close the protective terminal caps. I loosened the nuts and installed the wires pointing toward the rear of the tractor, which allows you to close the caps, as shown in the accompanying picture.
All of these oversights have me wondering if the 3rd function electrical box that is just laying on top of the battery should have been mounted somewhere. It certainly has a mounting tab on it. In its current state, that box is going to be bouncing all over the place on my rough land. I would appreciate it if other 3rd function owners can chime in and let me know if their box is actually mounted.
Overall I am extremely pleased with the quality of the tractor.
If you order your RK tractor with a 3rd function valve installed, do yourself a favor and check over the installed components carefully. When I parked my tractor at the house the day I took it home, I noticed a puddle of hydraulic fluid forming just behind the bucket. After closer inspection, it became clear that the hydraulic fluid was leaking from one of the 3rd function fittings. I tightened it and no more leaking. OK - no big deal, but it was a decent leak, a drip every three seconds, certainly enough to spot with the untrained eye, even more so when inspected by a trained technician.
So I decided to check over the rest of the 3rd function components. When I came to the small black box attached just to left of the valves, I noticed something didn't look right with the screw, it was kinda sticking proud a little bit. When I felt it, it was completely loose, not threaded into the hole even a little bit. OK - tightened that down.
Then I moved on to the engine compartment. This is what my battery looked like.
The 3rd function wires to the battery were installed parallel with the front axle. This makes it impossible to close the protective terminal caps. I loosened the nuts and installed the wires pointing toward the rear of the tractor, which allows you to close the caps, as shown in the accompanying picture.
All of these oversights have me wondering if the 3rd function electrical box that is just laying on top of the battery should have been mounted somewhere. It certainly has a mounting tab on it. In its current state, that box is going to be bouncing all over the place on my rough land. I would appreciate it if other 3rd function owners can chime in and let me know if their box is actually mounted.
Overall I am extremely pleased with the quality of the tractor.
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