DK55 Motor side panels

farmboy238 · Jun 4, 2011

I recently purchased a new DK55. I would like to know if anyone has had problems with motor side panels becoming unatached while working especially while using a rotory cutter. After I cut for a couple of hours or so I usually come in and take a break and blow the collected stuff off the tractor especially around the motor area. On two different times I discovered that the motor side panels had come loose. I had the hood up and when I shut it at least one of the side panels would come loose. I even damaged the right one with the FEL while cutting next to a fence. When I let the loader down I saw too late that the right motor panel had come loose.

Coyote machine · Jun 4, 2011

Congrats on the new tractor- I'm sure you'll enjoy it once you get the 'bugs' worked out, and are more familiar with it's specific ways of 'behavin' '
If your panels are the same or even similar to my DK-40 they are held in place by a pin toward the front at the bottom of the panel which goes into a grommeted hole on the chassis/frame area and at the rear and top by rubber mounts that pivot to allow them to be moved to release the panel prior to removal of the panel if needed for service. Look closely under the hood you should see what I described near the radiator on either side and at the back of the panel near the firewall. At first they may seem hard to find, but they're there, gray color and they pivot to allow the edge of the panel to be held in place by the rubber hold down/retainer.
I suspect on your tractor they may have been released and not put back onto the panel's edges and consequently you are now experiencing issues when vibration occurs and the panel flops around.
Hope the above helps

o2batsea · Jun 6, 2011

The PO somehow bent the bejeezus out of the left side engine cover. I straightened it as best I could, but it's never going to be anything like new. Despite that it seems to stay in place OK after I fiddled with it enough. Just need to spend some quality time with your side panel to get the attachment points lined up.