Fuel cap and well weaknesses. Dangers for tractor's engine. Design flaws conspiracy.

[IslandTractor]

George, welcome to TBN. I enjoyed your post. As others have noted, Kioti now uses a fairly substantial spring loaded metal door to cover the fuel spout. I don't know if they are any worse than other manufacturers regarding the gymnastics necessary to add fuel. I find the cube shaped 5 gallon tanks work tolerably well though starting fueling without spilling is hard. At least it's diesel not gas!

 

[cabover4us]

Two years back, when we lived in Greenwich, we bought Deb's parents home...I got the brilliant idea to switch everything over to propane. I bought a 1000 gallon underground tank from Galway-Co-op, while working my son came by over and be did the digging for the tank for me... 17' x 5' x 5' and he accomplished this in about 5 to 6 hours with my JD 855 with a #7 backhoe. Tank was set in sand bed, and my good friend came over with his CK20HST Kioti. What a little beast of a tractor, absolutely amazing the lift capabilities, he handled sand like it was beads of styrofoam, my 855's 52 loader was straining to pick up 3/4 bucket. Even the capacitys on the 3 point hitch is double than mine... More than a little discouraged, but this little tractor a does more than just dig, mows, snowblower, everything we've asked it to do, just slower... And there's hardly any electronics, downside is parts be are getting harder to locate. Starts everytime, right now putting together a pull behind mower 52" wide to cut mowing time. I would like a newer tractor but then I don't.....
My only complaint would be hitting the relief wicked early when I dig with hoe other than that, maybe some green paint would keep me focused.....

 

[k0ua]

I had to wait a few months to get my Kioti Den built. I hated leaving the tractor out in the weather those few months. It takes a slow toll on everything.

 

[two_bit_score]

Duct tape.

 

[DieselBound]

You should see the arrangement on my B7800. One of the reasons why I finally got a tank and pump: stupid loader stabilizer bar interferes with refueling, horribly so (trying to keep a no-spill jug emptying is a practice in patience)! And then Kubota's fuel caps for this were crap. Had the thing blowing off when the tank was full and the tractor would get slammed down: I'd end up being bathed in diesel! Dealer told me they had a new design. Really? Why didn't they make this a mandatory swap-out? (I bought my tractor there, albeit used) And the new cap seems like it's going to start stripping out too.

If there are places where liquids can pool then look for a drain. I'm so used to having to deal with stuff like this: from washing machines (front loaders) to car sun roof drains. Had to install a revised condensation drain on my refrigerator (major manufacturer)- original one, duck bill, would clog and send water all over floors (some folks ended up with really expensive flooring repairs- hardwood floor got destroyed). Speaking of duck bills, I noticed my tractor has them for the AC drains: yup, another thing I need to keep an eye on! (NOTE: if you pinch/milk duck bills you can keep them from getting blocked.)

 

[CalG]

When I leave the tractor out in the rain, water collects in the low areas of the seat. Then when I climb on and sit down, my trousers get all wet and I feel very self conscious that others may think I've soiled myself.

I've thought about contacting the seat manufacturer. (It's about the third replacement seat and not OEM)

The tractor manufacturer should have engineered the seat mount to tip up when not in use. A serious design flaw. (But the dampened spring ride seat mount is delightful!) Mean while, I make due by spreading a canvas tarp over the operator's station when the tractor is parked out of doors, 'securely held on against any foreseeable breeze by four truckers bungees!

Oh Well, one does what one can. ;-)

eta

The all STEEL seat on the Fordson has never given a hint of trouble, though as age creeps up, long hours there become less appealing. ;-)

 

[k0ua]

You should see the arrangement on my B7800. One of the reasons why I finally got a tank and pump: stupid loader stabilizer bar interferes with refueling, horribly so (trying to keep a no-spill jug emptying is a practice in patience)! And then Kubota's fuel caps for this were crap. Had the thing blowing off when the tank was full and the tractor would get slammed down: I'd end up being bathed in diesel! Dealer told me they had a new design. Really? Why didn't they make this a mandatory swap-out? (I bought my tractor there, albeit used) And the new cap seems like it's going to start stripping out too.

If there are places where liquids can pool then look for a drain. I'm so used to having to deal with stuff like this: from washing machines (front loaders) to car sun roof drains. Had to install a revised condensation drain on my refrigerator (major manufacturer)- original one, duck bill, would clog and send water all over floors (some folks ended up with really expensive flooring repairs- hardwood floor got destroyed). Speaking of duck bills, I noticed my tractor has them for the AC drains: yup, another thing I need to keep an eye on! (NOTE: if you pinch/milk duck bills you can keep them from getting blocked.)

I had a 74 Thunderbird with a sun roof, and the drains stopped up. That was a mess on a rainy day. Got that fixed pretty easily, then the drive cable broke and the replacement had to come from France of all places. Yep 2 weeks with the sun roof blocked up. I vowed to never own another car with a sun roof. And I haven't. Of course they don't make them like that any more, they are moonroofs, and they seal entirely different. They actually seal against a rubber seal instead of leaking into what amounts to a trough and draining down the inside fenders of the rear wheels.

It is entirely stupid to cut a hole in the roof of your car. IMHO. And now that I am an old curmudgeon, I wouldn't have a sunroof or moonroof for all of the tea in China. If I want to shoot squirrels out of my roof, I will just ride in the back of my pickup truck.

 

[kantuckid]

I own an older series DK 40. After seeing the fuel and radiator acess lids blow open in the wind I epoxied large washers underneath to hold them. The fuel filler cap became loose from plastic distortion and I wrapped the male threads with teflon pipe tape a few years back-works fine now.

 

[GeorgeSB]

I respectfully request people try very hard to be even more respectful. I'm only sharing so others might know the risk and save themselves. This water fuel issue only applies to older Kioti models.

There are times, even for folks having a proper tractor shelter, that they are caught in the field in the rain. I'm only pointing out risks. I am trying very hard to be HELPUL here. Thank you all.

I've been checking after rain and the fuel door isn't stopping it. So rain water will get in if you are working/driving and caught in the rain.
IF you have this model/year (mine is a 2003 Kioti DK35), you'd be best served to make a few minor changes to the fuel door, cap, drain cup, drain, etc. Just to ensure no water gets in.

As far as water in the new fuel added. Sure that's possible, I agree absolutely! Just seems improbable in this particular case that it was water in the fuel added. The tractor never suffered water in fuel until immediately after a very heavy and quite unusual days of downpour and heavy winds. It was the day after the rains that this happened. Also, "Someone" left it out in the field. I cannot mention the name or I'll live in eternal damnation. LOL. I have already forgiven her, as it wasn't her fault. She didn't know. It's also possible that "someone" didn't tighten down the cap. When I bought it the first owner cross threaded the cap. It was difficult to remove. So all these factors exacerbate.

So, I think it's probable that rain is the source water and a combination of human error and design "weakness" now resolved by Kioti served to get water into the fuel. I should have run out to put the tarp on it. But I didn't know how very high the risks until it occurred. That's why I'm openly sharing. Making myself a target at the same time.

With respect to protection, a tarp, or garage, or something. Yes definitely on my list of chores. I will build one soon.

But all that said, my concerns/comments/ criticism stand. The flap is just flimsy as all get out. It's windy out here. And it gets blown open and so easily breaks or just pops right off.

I am not venting on Koreans, so please forgive me if it sounds that way. I respect all peoples. All countries. All nations. I've trained extensively with Koreans in Korean arts. I have great respect. Even all engineers I respect, I am one of them. I understand how management can force cost-saving measures upon engineering....

But there remains a number of design "weaknesses" that wouldn't have taken much to improve upon. I understand later models are better in most of the areas I call out in my "essays". Clearly the Kioti company agrees with me. So, I don't mind making improvements of my own for those areas of concern to try to catch up with the Kioti factory improvements.

For now, the quick fix is to keep replacing the door atop the fuel cap. Keep checking the fuel cap for proper closure. (I'm not the only one filling). And if there's weather, attempt to cover with tarp, etc.

I like the suggestions, over the criticisms. Please people!

One person here said on his DK40 that he improved both the cap and the cover. THAT'S great input! He apparently sees the same risks that I see. Thank you very much. That's one reason why I posted, to share ideas for improvements. His ideas are very good.

As far as shelling out thousands for a tractor and not being wise enough to build a shelter.
Everyone's circumstances be different. I was forced to downsize in an economic error after an extremely favorable situation to obtain the tractor used. I was caught in the economic downturn around 2008. But I actually didn't want the tractor but I was offered a no interest personal loan with very low payments. That's the only way I could afford one.

There isn't adequate room here on this property yet. I have no income at the present as I retired early. So having a building made is not in the cards. So I will build a proper shelter by hand, trying to save costs. Possibly a Q hut or something used are options but it must be snow and wind hardy. It's really much too windy here for a tarp to protect in weather. We normally have high winds rain, shine, or snow. I hope to build a proper garage however and dedicate it to the tractor. As I stated, it's on my list and has been for a long time. But due to life circumstances hasn't yet happened. I might just tarp it indefinitely. Now that I have more time, I'm catching up with all the "must do" on the virtual "list".

Thank you for recommending such.... It's clear that Kioti recognized the same issues that I have. The newer models have fixed it completely. Thank you for the post about your DK35se newer model, that was really helpful. It's great to know that Kioti does acknowledge the issues that I've found and pointed out in this forum, and made improvements to resolve them.

Again thank you for all the beneficial suggestions and idea and updates on the newer design and on inexpensive shelter ideas.
Thank you all. It's great to have a forum to safely share questions, make suggestions, and warn others with the same machines. That's why I'm here.

I will repeat this. All my concerns aside, this is a GREAT machine. I love it. I will baby it as best I possibly can. This Kioti has literally saved lives since I owned it. I've pulled families out during horrible blizzards and much more. It's a strange thing to admit but when I bought it, I had a feeling it would serve and possibly save people from hardship. It really came to pass. We had a terrible winter where I was living at 7500 feet elevation. The snow that winter, just shortly after I took ownership, was life-threatening if caught in it. I helped out a lot of folks. Me and the Kioti were out there in the weather, helping a lot of folks. I was out every single day for a couple months.

Lately, now that I have some time (I was so over booked during my early years of ownership) I've been working on my Kioti almost every day to ensure all the maintenance is up to snuff and all the shortfalls are addressed. I've upgraded to a Grammer seat. I've added mirrors. I've toughened up the front grill. I've added bright lighting front and back. I've done all the filter changes and fluids. And so forth. That's OK, I don't mind doing it. And I love to enjoy the results.

I love my Kioti tractor. I promise to take good care of her going forward. Sorry all if I wasn't clear about things in my original post on the subject.

 

[k0ua]

I wonder if the new fuel door and a new cap would retrofit to your machine? If nothing else the weighting of your existing cap so the wind does not blow it open allowing the rain to get into the vent or even past the threads would help? As for the cross threading, I don't know if a new cap would help there or not. Perhaps a little judicial application of a triangular file on the tank threads might possible help, but you would need to analyze carefully and apply carefully.