DK65 Hour Meter

HammockLand · Jan 10, 2005

I learned something new today. Page 22 of the DK65 owner's manual states under "Hour Meter" that it measures running hours at the rated engine speed, which is 2250 RPM. Each tenth represents 6 minutes at 2250 RPM. So at idle (900 RPM) it should take 15 minutes to advance 1 tenth. This is the traditional method of counting hours on tractors I have known.

I had noticed that my hour meter registered tenths at a rapid clip, even at idle speed (900 RPM). Today I timed it and sure enough a tenth on the meter took exactly 6 minutes at idle.

I called Kioti Service for an explanation and was told that the new "electronic dash" counts actual time the engine is running, regardless of the rpm. So 1 hour at idle (900 RPM) is the same as 1 hour at rated speed (2250 RPM). I haven't tried it yet, but it may count time if the switch is on, even if the engine is not running. I will test that tomorrow. I forgot to ask what affect this has on the stated service intervals in the manual, but they must need adjustment to compensate for the inflated hours running at idle or near idle.

I don't know if other brands have adopted this method on their "electronic dash" or not. If so, the used tractor market of the future will have to adjust to this method of counting hours, because in the future tractors will show a lot more hours compared to the past.

DK35vince · Jan 10, 2005

I wasn't aware that some DK's had the electronic dash.
Is it just the 65 or are all the newer DK's equiped with it ?
I know my 2001 DK 35 measures hours by engine speed..

KiotiJohn · Jan 11, 2005

This is one of Kioties owner's manual problems that they have not yet corrected. Using information from the former models and not updating the manuals to reflect the changes.
The CK25/30 use an electronic or digital hour meter as well, and I believe it starts when the key is on. Not sure on that, but I'll make sure.
I think all of the newer models are going to this "Hobbs" style metering of time. My 2003 CK20HST is still on RPM measured time.
The owner's manuals are slowly being updated, I'll make sure that the right party knows this correction is due. Thanks, John

depratt_equip · Jan 11, 2005

All the new DK's are getting away from the tach cable driven hour meters. The hour meter it still looks the same as what you have but it is electronic controlled. The engine should have to be running to make the hour meter work. The CK25/30's have a "digital" hour meter, the mechanics of how it works is the same on the newer DK's but it has a digital read display. Hour meter should not count unless tractor is running from what I have seen. Where the hour meter cable on these tractors use to be there is now a black sensor where it picks up all the information from.

HammockLand · Jan 11, 2005

I tested whether the Hour Meter counts with the switch on, but tractor not running. It does not, the engine must be running.

Any comments on the future used tractor market implications of the realtime Hour Meter? Or, its affect on service intervals in the user manuals?

Farmuse50 · Jun 9, 2015

I know this is an old post but............The hour meter runs off of the alternator and is electronic. That is one way you can tell if your alternator is going out. The needle bounces on the Tach....ask me how I know.