Kioti CK3510SE HST - How The Hell Do I Engage the Locking Diff?

[MailManX]

I have a 2021 CK3510SE HST. The darn diff lock lever below the left side of my seat feels stuck. It's been that way in the three months that I've owned the tractor. I've stepped on it, pushed on it by hand, tried it in gear, tried it in neutral and tried it after rocking back and forth a bit. NOTHING has worked! Am I doing something wrong? Maybe I have to hold my mouth just right. I don't want to haul the tractor 2-hours back to the dealer, so I'm hoping to sort this out on my own. Your suggestions are appreciated! THANKS!

 

[old and tired]

Do you know that it only engages when it's pressed (and held) down and that it should not be held down for more than it's needed to get you unstuck.

Holding down the lever, locks the two rear tires so that you can not turn the tractor without dragging a tire (stressful). Hope this helps.

{EDIT} - are you saying that diff lock doesn't move at all?? Does it slide up and down??

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Do you know that it only engages when it's pressed down and that it should not be held down for more than it's needed to get you unstuck.

Holding down the lever, locks the two rear tires so that you can not turn the tractor without dragging a tire (stressful). Hope this helps.

{EDIT} - are you saying that diff lock doesn't move?? Does it slide up and down??

Oh yeah, my brother always hit the lever when tractor was spinning wide open. I tried to tell him. He just acted like I was stupid. But his dif lock don't work no more. But as long as it was his fault, I'm fine and dandy with it. Just like blowing reverse out of a perfectly good log skidder. Saw it happen, was yelling to stop, boom. It was all over but the crying. I guess when you have a good job you can do things like that. I know I had to pull the engine to get transmission apart. Went ahead and went through both differentials, stripped it down to the frame and sandblasted, rims too. I do love my brother and am proud of him.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I have a 2021 CK3510SE HST. The darn diff lock lever below the left side of my seat feels stuck. It's been that way in the three months that I've owned the tractor. I've stepped on it, pushed on it by hand, tried it in gear, tried it in neutral and tried it after rocking back and forth a bit. NOTHING has worked! Am I doing something wrong? Maybe I have to hold my mouth just right. I don't want to haul the tractor 2-hours back to the dealer, so I'm hoping to sort this out on my own. Your suggestions are appreciated! THANKS!

Try some lubrication on under side things.

 

[IndyJay]

Try some lubrication on under side things.

Always good advice!

 

[RickB]

Hit the pedal with a rolled up operator's manual.
At least then you'll have the satisfaction of using it for something.

 

[Midniteoyl]

As said, it's not something that stays engaged, if that's what you mean..? Foot pedal should be in the 'Up' position when disengaged. Otherwise some rocking should let it slip in. The actual foot lever is just a simple lever arm and pushrod setup so not much to go wrong unless its a misadjustment inside the diff.

 

[coobie]

I have a 2021 CK3510SE HST. The darn diff lock lever below the left side of my seat feels stuck. It's been that way in the three months that I've owned the tractor. I've stepped on it, pushed on it by hand, tried it in gear, tried it in neutral and tried it after rocking back and forth a bit. NOTHING has worked! Am I doing something wrong? Maybe I have to hold my mouth just right. I don't want to haul the tractor 2-hours back to the dealer, so I'm hoping to sort this out on my own. Your suggestions are appreciated! THANKS!

Your owners manual is your friend

 

[MailManX]

Do you know that it only engages when it's pressed (and held) down and that it should not be held down for more than it's needed to get you unstuck.

Holding down the lever, locks the two rear tires so that you can not turn the tractor without dragging a tire (stressful). Hope this helps.

{EDIT} - are you saying that diff lock doesn't move at all?? Does it slide up and down??

Embarrassed, I am. I have told others over the years to RTFM! Time to look in a mirror and repeat it to myself. The lever moves just fine. I took it upon myself to determine that it should go “click” and stay locked in. I’ve had lots of 4x4 trucks, but this is my first tractor. All the more reason to read the manual!

 

[MailManX]

Try some lubrication on under side things.

I said that to my wife a few times in our younger years.

 

[MailManX]

Hit the pedal with a rolled up operator's manual.
At least then you'll have the satisfaction of using it for something.

That’s one of the funniest things I’ve ever read. ROFL!! I had that coming!

 

[MailManX]

The

As said, it's not something that stays engaged, if that's what you mean..? Foot pedal should be in the 'Up' position when disengaged. Otherwise some rocking should let it slip in. The actual foot lever is just a simple lever arm and pushrod setup so not much to go wrong unless its a misadjustment inside the diff.

The misadjustment is between my ears. Based on comments here, the diff lock is working just fine.

 

[MailManX]

Your owners manual is your friend

Touche! I’ll have to retrieve it from under the leg of the couch where it makes up for a chunk gnawed off by the dog a while back.

JK

 

[MailManX]

As said, it's not something that stays engaged, if that's what you mean..? Foot pedal should be in the 'Up' position when disengaged. Otherwise some rocking should let it slip in. The actual foot lever is just a simple lever arm and pushrod setup so not much to go wrong unless its a misadjustment inside the diff.

Thanks for the picture and clear explanation.

 

[Midniteoyl]

I’ve had lots of 4x4 trucks, but this is my first tractor. All the more reason to read the manual!

The other one is for the 4wd. It *does* stay clicked

Still should only really use it when needed as well and make sure its disengaged when traveling at high speeds or on firm ground/roads/asphalt/etc..

 

[Wagtail]

Try some lubrication on under side things.

Mate, I've advised this on a number of occasions... 'if it moves, but doesn't have a dedicated grease nipple (zerk), spay it with a lanolin based lubricant.' Do this every now and then and you'll avoid all sorts of future problems... including regular greasing and annual torqueing the wheel lugs + all accessible bolts/nuts.

(I also laughed at the "smack it with the Owner Manual" comment... if only it were true. )

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Mate, I've advised this on a number of occasions... 'if it moves, but doesn't have a dedicated grease nipple (zerk), spay it with a lanolin based lubricant.' Do this every now and then and you'll avoid all sorts of future problems... including regular greasing and annual torqueing the wheel lugs + all accessible bolts/nuts.

(I also laughed at the "smack it with the Owner Manual" comment... if only it were true. )

Yes so true. People are used to new autos. Just get in and go. Tractors take a bit more up keep.

 

[CobyRupert]

Hit the pedal with a rolled up operator's manual.
At least then you'll have the satisfaction of using it for something.

The funniest thing I’ve read!
Oh man! I’m stealing this!

 

[Tony H]

Embarrassed, I am. I have told others over the years to RTFM! Time to look in a mirror and repeat it to myself. The lever moves just fine. I took it upon myself to determine that it should go “click” and stay locked in. I’ve had lots of 4x4 trucks, but this is my first tractor. All the more reason to read the manual!

Nothing bad about reading the manual but you should feel comfortable asking any question you want on this site without the snarky comments.

 

[JoelD]

One of the great things about the people on this forum is they may give you a ribbing on occasion but will always answer your question and provide advice in the process.