Hood latch on DK40 HST

Illini22 · Oct 16, 2014

I had the same problem, although my knob didn't fall off. When pulling the knob it didn't do anything. A branch pushed the drivers side side panel up and into the hood, binding it. I had to pry the side panel flange up down and out with a large screwdriver and wonder bar. After opening hood i realized how lucky I was to be able to open the hood. Good luck.

TJP89 · Oct 16, 2014

This is an interesting problem. As suggested, I would try fishing up the hole to try and find the cable. Also, try opening the hood. Once I just could not get the hood to pop, until just pushed on it and it came up. The hood was already unlatched! no wonder the knob wouldn't work. If that isn't the case, since you cannot pop the side panels with hood closed, the only other opening is the gas cap. It would be hard, but at this point might as well try to fish around through there. If that doesn't work, then its would get interesting. I guess, since cutting through the hood probably isn't on your want to do list, you would have to dismantle the dash to get at the hinges, but hopefully it doesn't go that far. My experience is on the CK, but their similar I think.

I think this is first though, if it makes you fell any better:thumbsup:

IslandTractor · Oct 16, 2014

TJP89 said:
I think this is first though, if it makes you fell any better:thumbsup:

I'm quite sure he is both honored and proud to be the first to deal with this problem! :cool2:

Coyote machine · Oct 16, 2014

I would avoid a hole in the hood at all costs. Maybe you could remove the brush bar and see if you can see the hood latch cable through the front grille? If you can, you might be able to access the latch by poking/cutting a small hole through some portion of the metal in the front lower grille? That would be an easier fix and might not cost anything to do; just rebend the metal mesh screen back into place when done.

IslandTractor · Oct 16, 2014

Go to Harbor Freight and buy one of their video boroscopes for $69. You know you've always wanted one. Now you have the perfect excuse. Put the scope up the blank hole and find the missing rod/cable. Once you have identified it you can probably figure out a way to grab it and pull. Perhaps the boroscope would help guide a tool angled in from under the tractor.

You might also call Kioti customer service. Their engineers just might have encountered this issue before.

oldpilgrim · Oct 16, 2014

let Eric the Oracle take it for a drive in the woods. He'll get it open.

ritcheyvs · Oct 16, 2014

Brian, I don't know how similar your DH40HST is to my 2006 DK45S, but maybe these photos of my machine will help:

If possible, I think your best bet would be to get the right side panel off (assuming there is enough flex in the hood). Otherwise, you may need to make a hole in the hood. On my machine, the front of the hood is light-weight perforated metal. It looks like you could make a small hole high up on the right side and use a coat hanger to pull the latch open. Good luck.

Coyote machine · Oct 16, 2014

Looking at the pics in the above post I'd say you can only get it open without unnecessary damage by going through the front upper portion of the lower grille. This could allow you to grab the wire going to the latch where there is a small 'window' near the latch, where it may be possible to use something like a coat hangar to hook and pull the wire enough to get latch release.
Also, there seems that the actual cable housing won't allow you to access the wire inside, EXCEPT where I described above. So removing the side panel won't likely help, there is no way to get at the inner wire, except above at the latch.

ritcheyvs · Oct 16, 2014

In any case, you'll need a new cable (unless you decide to jury-rig something else). So might as well order one now.

IslandTractor · Oct 17, 2014

Coyote machine said:
Looking at the pics in the above post I'd say you can only get it open without unnecessary damage by going through the front upper portion of the lower grille. This could allow you to grab the wire going to the latch where there is a small 'window' near the latch, where it may be possible to use something like a coat hangar to hook and pull the wire enough to get latch release.
Also, there seems that the actual cable housing won't allow you to access the wire inside, EXCEPT where I described above. So removing the side panel won't likely help, there is no way to get at the inner wire, except above at the latch.

I agree. I had forgotten that the hood latch was forward of the radiator. Punching through the screened part of the nose cone just above the battery would allow you to get a hooked rod right up to the latch. Guide it via a boroscope then yank it open.

I'm not with my tractor but I believe the screened portion of the nose cone is just held on with clips. You might be able to dislodge them from outside just with a firm push. I know that a piece of brush did that to mine. In any case, even if you need to cut a flap in the screen to push it out of the way, it would be a trivial repair (?zipties) and cosmetically unnoticeable.

As you would be blind trying to hood onto the latch, a boroscope would be critical to guide a hooked rod up to the latch.