Buying Advice ck dk trade

[TomSeller]

Sounds like Chuck172 and IXLR8 should trade tractors.

 

[tman1020]

A trade does sound like the perfect solution. I have heard of very few people having issue with loader capacity of a CK. I have read entire thread but can't remember have you checked pressures on relief valve of loader to make sure they are in spec. The bobcat version loader is completely different but very close in spec also. I don't think you'd want to be lifting much more with a CK. It's a great and strong tractor for its size but if you need more I agree that you're definitely going to want a bigger frame and that's quite a step up.

 

[chuck172]

Sounds like Chuck172 and IXLR8 should trade tractors.

That's funny Tom.

 

[IXLR8]

The flow rate of the Kioti's pump is much greater than the Kubota, and the cylinders are only slightly larger, with about 300 more lbs of lift. So yeah, it is fast, real fast. But after using it for a while, I really enjoy it, and make use of the "snappy" loader response to get more work done in a shorter period of time.

A 'snappy' response is a good way to describe my CK loader, except when I loaded the 9 cuft bucket to the max with dirt. Yes the bucket was a 9 cuft bucket, stock is 7cuft. I bought the CK used and the previous owner put the larger bucket on it for snow removal. I believe my DK loader movements are close to spec, time wise. It just seems sooo much slower than the CK was. I feel that I got more done with the CK as things moved that much faster. I guess I got spoiled by the fast response of the CK loader.
I also wish the indicator lights on the DK were bright enough to see them when out in the sun. They are fine in the shop... but once I go outside I can't see them.

 

[TJP89]

Sounds like Chuck172 and IXLR8 should trade tractors.

All kidding aside, it's not the worst idea ever floated here.

 

[chuck172]

I have a deal brewing. I'll see for sure if it materializes next week. My gear ck35 for a DK40SEH and 10k. Besides the loader capacity that I really need, I have one knee replaced, and I'll need the other done soon. Clutching with the shuttle has got to be painful.

 

[coobie]

I have a deal brewing. I'll see for sure if it materializes next week. My gear ck35 for a DK40SEH and 10k. Besides the loader capacity that I really need, I have one knee replaced, and I'll need the other done soon. Clutching with the shuttle has got to be painful.

Chuck,I was in the same boat.I had my knee replaced about 3 years back.I traded my 2008 Kioti DK40se(shuttle) for a 2012 Kioti Dk40se HST cab tractor.Have not looked back since.

 

[chuck172]

I was really suffering with the clutch till I found out its a dual stage clutch and it doesn't require pushing the pedal all the way to the floor. Just light pressure on the clutch and shift. I know a HST will be much easier. My right knee is replaced, and the left knee is needing it.

 

[grm61]

I had R4's on both tractors but the DK's tires are more aggressive and have less surface area, coupled with the fact the DK is heavier, it tears up my yard more. I wish I had gotten the 'turf' tires. Even with loaded rear tires they spin easier tearing the yard up more and I find I have to use 4wd more often to prevent it. Although flipping a switch to engage the 4wd is much nicer than fighting with the lever on the CK. The FEL doesn't seem to lift that much more, even though it is spec'ed to lift twice as much. DK stalls easier. When I take my foot off the forward pedal... the tractor keeps driving forward. This leads to stalling often when moving piles of dirt and it is worse in winter moving snow. I have even pressed on the reverse pedal and the tractor keeps driving forward for a moment. I prefer the single pedal HST control of the CK vs the dual pedal of the DK. After 48 hrs, I keep pressing the wrong pedal and going in the wrong direction. I have damage to my tractor hut to repair due to this. The single pedal was much more intuitive to me. I feel the FEL is painfully slow compared to the one on the CK. When I move the FEL control to 'dump' the bucket... sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I found the CK just generally more maneuverable than the DK. I put a Woods BH90x backhoe on the DK, it doesn't seem much more powerful than the Kioti BH that was on the CK. Between the DK upcharge and the Wood BH.. at the moment I feel I threw away $20k. The DK will be going in for its 50 hr service in the spring, I am really hoping some of these issues will be fixed then.

Sorry your bummed about your new machine.
I'm sure it is frustrating having a new tractor delivered and things not adjusted right.

The whole idea with hydrastat is infinite control of your speed and direction...and you don't have that, tough to get any kind of technique down, and seat of the pants feel for traction when things are working as you described.

Before you take your tractor in for the 50 hr service and to get things fixed, check your rear tires and figure out how much ballast they put in them.
With the valve stem at 12 o clock, the fluid should be just above the wheel.

You can check this by knocking on the side of the tire, or use a infrared point and shoot thermometer, or simply push the valve core in with the stem at 12 o clock and see if any fluid comes out...but by doing it this way if for some reason the valve core sticks down, it will be spitting fluid until you can get it back up.

Tire companies and tractor dealers are famous for filling tires 1/4 to 1/2 full of liquid....(why bother) make sure you got what you paid for.

I'm very happy with the performance of my DK, I do have a sneaking hunch that my reliefs may be set on the low side, I will find out when I get a guage set and service manual, I asked my dealer to get me one and he never came through

These compact backhoes are never going to perform like a full size hoe, beats the heck out of a shovel though

 

[IXLR8]

grm61- Initially the rear tires were over inflated. Only the center 3" of the tire was hitting the ground. I moved the tires so the valve stem was at the top, and when I let some of the air out, liquid came out as well so I believe the tires are properly filled. There have been several issues with the initial tractor setup. Dealer said tech who did my tractor also messed up a few other tractors and was fired. So who knows how well mine was setup in the first place.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

grm61- Initially the rear tires were over inflated. Only the center 3" of the tire was hitting the ground. I moved the tires so the valve stem was at the top, and when I let some of the air out, liquid came out as well so I believe the tires are properly filled. There have been several issues with the initial tractor setup. Dealer said tech who did my tractor also messed up a few other tractors and was fired. So who knows how well mine was setup in the first place.

Check your fluid levels in your front axle. Also check your antifreeze protection.

 

[IXLR8]

Check your fluid levels in your front axle. Also check your antifreeze protection.

Yup, the front axle level was low, topped that off at about the 10 hr mark. It survived sub-zero temps last year so I assumed antifreeze was okay. Now you are going to make me dig out my meter and verify my antifreeze levels.

 

[TomSeller]

It survived sub-zero temps last year so I assumed antifreeze was okay. .

Don't forget the function of the coolant is also to prevent corrosion between dissimilar metals. Sorry, but some people living in moderate climates don't know that and think that if they don't have freezing temps they don't need to change their coolant.

 

[chuck172]

Done Deal! I'm now the proud owner of a new Kioti DK40SE Hydro. It was delivered this morning. Sad to see my ck getting towed away, it was a good tractor. The DK is just a completely different animal. No comparison. Bigger, Heavier, the loader is massive. And the hydrostatic trans. wow! I'm old school, wouldn't hear of a hydro before. My knees just can't take the wear and tear anymore. I was outside playing and learning in 10* temps all morning. Just love the Hydro. Now I understand how most would never go back to gear drive.
I want to be clear. The CK35 is a great tractor, just came up short on the loader capacity. Comparing 1100pds to 2700. Six foot wide loader on the DK compared to 5'.
My deal was the ck gear with 150 hours to a DK hydro new, just uncrated, and 10k.
I know I took a beating, but I won't look back. The Tier 3's are getting scarce, I'm lucky to have found one. This particular tractor came from Vermont. Almost 300 miles away. NJ, Pa. dealers just weren't interested in the trade. They said the dk was unavailable. I just turned 62 two days ago. Great BD present to myself.!!

 

[k0ua]

Done Deal! I'm now the proud owner of a new Kioti DK40SE Hydro. It was delivered this morning. Sad to see my ck getting towed away, it was a good tractor. The DK is just a completely different animal. No comparison. Bigger, Heavier, the loader is massive. And the hydrostatic trans. wow! I'm old school, wouldn't hear of a hydro before. My knees just can't take the wear and tear anymore. I was outside playing and learning in 10* temps all morning. Just love the Hydro. Now I understand how most would never go back to gear drive.
I want to be clear. The CK35 is a great tractor, just came up short on the loader capacity. Comparing 1100pds to 2700. Six foot wide loader on the DK compared to 5'.
My deal was the ck gear with 150 hours to a DK hydro new, just uncrated, and 10k.
I know I took a beating, but I won't look back. The Tier 3's are getting scarce, I'm lucky to have found one. This particular tractor came from Vermont. Almost 300 miles away. NJ, Pa. dealers just weren't interested in the trade. They said the dk was unavailable. I just turned 62 two days ago. Great BD present to myself.!!

Congratulations. It is a big step up. Your knees will thank you every time you spend hours on the DK with the hydro. If you use a tractor all day doing loader work, is when it really starts adding up. It is also so much easier for untrained people to just get on and use also. Like wives and kids. I don't know if that is a factor for you, but it is for me.

Just check out all the fasteners, especially wheels and loader bolts. They are often not torqued correctly. Depends on the dealer prep. On my DK35se.. which has a 66 inch stock bucket, I sometimes use my old 60 inch bucket off of the previous Kubota. It is handy when digging with the bucket, as it concentrates more power in a smaller place. So I like having the option of 2 buckets in just a few seconds I can swap from one to the other. Good luck with your new machine, and if there are any questions we can help answer let us know.

 

[coobie]

Great news,enjoy your new tractor.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Congrats !

Just love the Hydro. Now I understand how most would never go back to gear drive.

I think most of those who say they don't like them, just haven't tried them !

Concerning the bolts.....the paint will wear off under the bolts letting them loosen. Check them out regularly for a while. It wouldnt hurt to loosen them a turn and retorque them to grind out the paint and prevent future loosening.

Have fun with your toy!

 

[paulfun9]

Congrats on the new Machine!

I have knee problems myself and find the platform and spacing of everything on the DK to be very good for keeping the pains at bay.

The Machine itself has performed flawlessly for me. The loader is strong and without ballast you can get into trouble real quick but with a heavy 3 point attachment or my backhoe on it has proven itself to be a workhorse.
Haven't had a problem with my loader bolts or wheel lugs coming loose and also think it is mostly due to dealer prep or a bad batch of bolts getting mixed in. If mine were to have come loose within the first 100 hours I would have replaced them with a better bolt immediately just to be on the safe side. Bolt stretch is not a term understood by all but if its stretching after the specified torque is applied during usage its not a good sign of things that could come if you simply keep retightening them. I would say tighten once at the most to proper spec then if they come loose replace with different bolts of better quality no matter the brand of tractor your dealing with!

Again congrats on the new Machine!

 

[s219]

Done Deal! I'm now the proud owner of a new Kioti DK40SE Hydro. It was delivered this morning. Sad to see my ck getting towed away, it was a good tractor. The DK is just a completely different animal. No comparison. Bigger, Heavier, the loader is massive. And the hydrostatic trans. wow! I'm old school, wouldn't hear of a hydro before. My knees just can't take the wear and tear anymore. I was outside playing and learning in 10* temps all morning. Just love the Hydro. Now I understand how most would never go back to gear drive.
I want to be clear. The CK35 is a great tractor, just came up short on the loader capacity. Comparing 1100pds to 2700. Six foot wide loader on the DK compared to 5'.
My deal was the ck gear with 150 hours to a DK hydro new, just uncrated, and 10k.
I know I took a beating, but I won't look back. The Tier 3's are getting scarce, I'm lucky to have found one. This particular tractor came from Vermont. Almost 300 miles away. NJ, Pa. dealers just weren't interested in the trade. They said the dk was unavailable. I just turned 62 two days ago. Great BD present to myself.!!

That is great, but you need to post photos! How are we supposed to enjoy the experience???

 

[murphy1244]

That is great, but you need to post photos! How are we supposed to enjoy the experience???

Yes and ooze envy???