Cost of Maintaining

[Gods Country]

If all we're talking is hydro & engine oil/filters that's insane.
It's a 1 hour job....tops on my tractor. Can't believe a Kioti is that much more work.

 

[dking]

my dealer throws in the 50 hr service or at least used to. all other services i've done myself, it's easy and only takes a couple hours and maybe $150-$200 for parts.

 

[Coyote machine]

I have the dealer's mechanics do the first hydraulic service filters etc. They come to my barn and two guys changed HST filters and fuel filter and some other minor adjustments in a little over an hour and 1/2. I DID NOT change the HST trans fluid, but did top it off, approximately two gallons of Coastal brand fluid. I have not received a bill yet, but I was there to watch and ask questions for my own edification.
I had already done the 50 hour oil and filter change prior to their work.
You should be able to do the same work yourself if you have the right tools. Note: it is a bear to get the first filters off the machine- it seems they install them at the factory and then bake them on with the powder coated paint sprayed in a paint booth. Then supposedly they're baked on in an oven to cure the paint, etc.
I had a **** of a time getting the original oil filter off for the 50 hr svc. Had to use a chain wrench and a 2' long pry bar to break the gasket's seal- NO FUN!

 

[mx5guy]

I did my own 50 hours change, $100 dollars for all filters air, fuel, oils and 2 HST filters, I also drained out front axle, made sure all HST fluids came out by removing all plugs, cleaned magnets out, re-greased everything, checked tire pressure, tighten up a lot of large loose bolts and nuts for FEL and Hoe, Close to a $100 for all new fluids, and probably 3 or 4 hours, as I was in no rush and was very thorough. So if hourly rate is $100 per hour could have easily added up to $600. But I like to do my own maintenance as it makes your pay checks go farther.

 

[MAUITRACTORMAN]

Hey I wouldn't feel too bad about the cost-I live in Olympia, Washington, and the nearest Kioti dealer is a 180 mile round trip. Last year my Kioti LK3054 was stolen from a jobsite, and thankfully it was recovered (more intact than not) and it cost $771.02 for a the full service (fluids/filters) a few minor parts, and of course, the labor. I ended up going through a nearby Kubota dealer to have this done because I wanted an experienced tractor mechanic to do the work, even though I normally do all my own tractor maintenance.

Anyway, getting to the point- its ALWAYS better to have a dealer/proessional to do the work (especially if you're inexperienced) on your machine for you even if it seems a little spendy. It's well worth it to have them service, or repair your tractor, because if something goes wrong on your end, it could end up costing a whole heck of a lot more. -Like I said, even though I've been doing all my basic maintenance, I still have my machine taken to a dealer every 3-4 years for service, just for that simple "peace of mind" feeling.

 

[unhappykioti]

Hey I wouldn't feel too bad about the cost-I live in Olympia, Washington, and the nearest Kioti dealer is a 180 mile round trip. Last year my Kioti LK3054 was stolen from a jobsite, and thankfully it was recovered (more intact than not) and it cost $771.02 for a the full service (fluids/filters) a few minor parts, and of course, the labor. I ended up going through a nearby Kubota dealer to have this done because I wanted an experienced tractor mechanic to do the work, even though I normally do all my own tractor maintenance.

Anyway, getting to the point- its ALWAYS better to have a dealer/proessional to do the work (especially if you're inexperienced) on your machine for you even if it seems a little spendy. It's well worth it to have them service, or repair your tractor, because if something goes wrong on your end, it could end up costing a whole heck of a lot more. -Like I said, even though I've been doing all my basic maintenance, I still have my machine taken to a dealer every 3-4 years for service, just for that simple "peace of mind" feeling.

Don't know what dealer you are talking about being 180 mi round trip, assuming Longveiw. There is a dealer in Ethel WA only about 40 miles from Olympia. They are a Five Paw dealer, I have never used them but they are the ones who took over the Kioti dealership I bought my tractor from.

 

[MAUITRACTORMAN]

-My original Kioti dealer went out of business in 2004, and yes it was near the longview area. They were a home based tractor dealer, and decided to get out of selling tractors. -Until recently, I had been going to Jennings Equipment in Puyallup, who was both a Kioti/Kubota dealer, but they just dropped the Kioti line about 4 months ago. At the time I needed the service to my tractor after it was stolen, Jennings was still the best option, becasue it was closer, I knew the people, and I did not want to deal with J&I Power, or Barnett Implement- a John Deere dealer, (both here in Oly.) and also because the only other Kioti dealer I was aware of at the time was way out by Aberdeen. Like I said in my previous posts, I do most of my own tractor maintenance, so needing a dealer for anything has not really been an issue. I can get all my fluids and fliters from the local Napa Auto Parts, and ebay is a great source for parts for the LK3054.

-Anyway, since I've joined this site (7 days ago) I am now aware that there a dealers a little closer.

Hope this answers your questions.

 

[williekioti]

I don't think your bill has anything to do with the brand, I have read about and had friends that have been wacked for good-sized service bills for many different colored tractors. I guess what I'm saying is Kioti is inherently no more expensive to own than any other color IMO. Now, not seeing your particular bill/invoice I won't say you were ripped off, I have no idea what kind of time the service dept put into your machine, nor do I know what the going rate for stuff is where you are.

I personally did my own 50 hr, it was straight forward and the only hitch as someone else mentioned is planning how much oil comes out of a particular drain plug. I don't remember the exact cost of it, but recall it being in the neighborhood of $150-170ish. That was for ALL oils (engine, tranny & frt axle) & filters (filters from the dealer, oils purchased locally). I think I spent a leisurely 3 or so hours doing it, enjoyable wrench time actually getting to know my new toy. I could have easily had my dealer do it, but in the interest of learning and not wanting to see it go down the road on the back of a truck I went for option two/B. Also, my selling dealer wasn't put off at all about it, even gave me a complete rundown on what should be done and assessed. Nothing required special tools or rocket scientist knowledge. This option may not work for everyone, or they may want a Pro to do the first one, in these cases requesting an estimate up front is not out of bounds.

 

[PoorMansCat]

They called me to advise they were offering free pick up and delivery so I asked what it would cost to have the fifty hour service done. It was over $700.00!! .

hhmmm.... so thats FREE pickup and delivery??? hahaha...
I dont think its matters what particular brand the dealer is.... its a matter of the ethics of the particular store.

 

[JJT]

I just had the fifty hour service completed on my Kioti CK20 HST. While I love this little tractor I am selling it to buy a bigger one. I already have a buyer and thought it was only right that I complete this service before delivering it. $636.00 was the total bill! Is this normal?

I like and trust the dealer and have done business with them for years, I don't think they're cheating me. But is this what it cost to service these things? My day to day car cost five times as much to buy and half as much for regularly scheduled service.

Had I known the bill was going to be this much I would have asked more for the tractor.

Can the regular service be done at home? Seems to me I can change hydraulic oil and fuel oil. I can even grease fittings.

I had planned on getting a DK40 SE HST with five hours on the clock for $21,000, including FEL. Should I expect the same kind of service costs?

Thanks for any insight.

I have 2 Kubota's, 1 with 700+ hours and 1 with 300+ hours, I've done 100% of the service work. Other than normal fluids, I've replaced a front end seal, an air sensor and a broken lift arm, (self inflicted).

I stand corrected, I've done 95% of all the service - I had the mobile tire service install a new tube and top off the CaCL in a rear tire.