bullyforyou
New member
...so, i have been eyeballing the kiotis for a few years now, and decided to take the plunge at the end of the year (last). it came down to an L3800 and the CK35, and the CK won me over fairly easily. at this point i'm coming up on my 50 hour and i though i'd post my impressions FWIW, and ask a question or two that i'm hoping you folks can answer...
the good:
- i really like the layout of the tractor. everything seems to be where i want it; ergonomic and functional, and very comfortable.
- the build quality seems quite high as compared to some of the equipment i've owned and used in the past (ford and kubota primarily). everything is tight, smooth, vibration and rattle free (for a tractor anyhow), and looks nice.
- maintenance items/areas seem to be well placed and accessible.
- 3PH operates smoothly.
- Engine runs smooth and is fairly fuel efficient.
the bad (minor gripes):
- shipping and handling of this tractor was clearly rough. the amount of touch-up i've had to do on this new tractor is unreal. the underside of the chassis and the back end of the tractor and ROPS had all kinds of scrapes, dings, chips.
- the EN plate on all the fittings and hardware is total junk. the tractor is kept covered, and under a covered structure... even so the plating on the ROPS bolts, signal light bolts, FEL bolts and pins, and hydraulic fittings has peeled and flaked badly, leaving the hardware to rust. i actually removed the FEL pins, and had one of my suppliers blast and re-plate within the first two months of ownership because they were already pitted and rusty.
as a guy who grew up in new england, i have a true hatred for all things rusty.
- the hydro pedal does not return to center. not even close. it's been lubed several times now, but without manually stepping on the pedal in the other direction the tractor will creep forward or back.
now, the question [and related comments]:
there is an approximately 1" diameter hard line that runs along the left side of the frame/transmission. this line emits an audible buzz when the clutch is released; barely noticeable at idle, but quickly gains volume as the RPM's increase (you can feel it if you place your hand on this line while the tractor runs). if you depress the clutch the buzz stops immediately. release the clutch and the buzz starts immediately again.
is this common with the CK series?
i noticed this when running my tractor the first day. i spoke with the service manager at my dealership who asked that i bring the tractor back to have it checked. i brought the tractor back and let him take a listen. he stated that it "didn't really sound right" and checked the machine back in so his techs could work on it the following week. he called me back mid-week and said they had checked it out and all was well - it was due to "cold fluids" and that the machine just needed to warm up a bit.
well, here we are mid-year and the noise is the same as it ever was, warm or not.
any input would be greatly appreciated.
the good:
- i really like the layout of the tractor. everything seems to be where i want it; ergonomic and functional, and very comfortable.
- the build quality seems quite high as compared to some of the equipment i've owned and used in the past (ford and kubota primarily). everything is tight, smooth, vibration and rattle free (for a tractor anyhow), and looks nice.
- maintenance items/areas seem to be well placed and accessible.
- 3PH operates smoothly.
- Engine runs smooth and is fairly fuel efficient.
the bad (minor gripes):
- shipping and handling of this tractor was clearly rough. the amount of touch-up i've had to do on this new tractor is unreal. the underside of the chassis and the back end of the tractor and ROPS had all kinds of scrapes, dings, chips.
- the EN plate on all the fittings and hardware is total junk. the tractor is kept covered, and under a covered structure... even so the plating on the ROPS bolts, signal light bolts, FEL bolts and pins, and hydraulic fittings has peeled and flaked badly, leaving the hardware to rust. i actually removed the FEL pins, and had one of my suppliers blast and re-plate within the first two months of ownership because they were already pitted and rusty.
as a guy who grew up in new england, i have a true hatred for all things rusty.
- the hydro pedal does not return to center. not even close. it's been lubed several times now, but without manually stepping on the pedal in the other direction the tractor will creep forward or back.
now, the question [and related comments]:
there is an approximately 1" diameter hard line that runs along the left side of the frame/transmission. this line emits an audible buzz when the clutch is released; barely noticeable at idle, but quickly gains volume as the RPM's increase (you can feel it if you place your hand on this line while the tractor runs). if you depress the clutch the buzz stops immediately. release the clutch and the buzz starts immediately again.
is this common with the CK series?
i noticed this when running my tractor the first day. i spoke with the service manager at my dealership who asked that i bring the tractor back to have it checked. i brought the tractor back and let him take a listen. he stated that it "didn't really sound right" and checked the machine back in so his techs could work on it the following week. he called me back mid-week and said they had checked it out and all was well - it was due to "cold fluids" and that the machine just needed to warm up a bit.
well, here we are mid-year and the noise is the same as it ever was, warm or not.
any input would be greatly appreciated.
