Kioti DK45SE HST still leaking oil

[quarterhorse]

My Kioti DK45SE HST started leaking oil as soon as I bought it. I'm not sure where it's coming from but it's been a slow weep underneath the tractor ever since I got it. I talked to the dealership and they sent the salesman out with an empty trailer to take it back to the shop, unfortunately I was in the middle of a big job and couldn't afford to lose it (that's been two years ago) and I still haven't had the ability to lose it for any time. Finally I took a vacation this year for the first time in many years and so I took it in to be checked out. A month later, I finally got it back tonight only to find that it is still leaking oil, even worse than before, and they also broke the bracket/skid plate for the hydraulic oil filter. I've never felt like it was lifting as well as it should and it would stall while getting a full bucket scoop. I was able to time the scoop with the loss in power and we ended up moving 40 tons of dirt in a week. For the most part I'm impressed with the tractor except for the leak, though I feel it doesn't have the lifting power that it should. Anyone else with this tractor notice the same stall issue. Outside of the dealership and service department I'm reasonably happy with the tractor, I just want to make sure that it has the hydraulic compression that it should. Anyone else with the same tractor notice the same stall issue. Also, short of calling Kioti to complain, any recommendations about getting this fixed and should I change dealerships (there's another Kioti dealer within 20 miles of me with a better reputation). Any replies are appreciated.

 

[Amvcane]

I would think that if you drive into a pile, curl while raising bucket and still are on the HST treadle, it will come close to stalling if not stall. I stalled my CK 35 hst a couple times moving a large pile of soil until I realized that stomping on the hst will not give you more power. Backing off of it will.

 

[quarterhorse]

Thanks for the reply Amvcane, yes the HST is a funny transmission, I've learned to time it correctly, but I'd probably still rather have a shuttle or PST trans. I went with the HST because of my wife, even though she never drives it. I'm more worried about the leaking oil than anything, though.

 

[Coyote machine]

Your tractor loader should lift 2750#s no problem. The 401 Kioti loader is very strong, but if you have an internal pump leak, that could easily affect performance. Whatever is causing the leak MUST be fixed.
Work out a loaner, even if you have to pay for it, or part of it. Once you're off warranty, you're out of luck. Call and write to Kioti corporate to document the problem. Get your selling dealer on tract with fixing it right away; if you continue to let it go, you will only have yourself to blame for the poor outcome.

Needing your tractor is important; having it fixed and working properly is what your warranty is for.

 

[Jose G]

you should have address the problem the first day, 2 years later is a bit late... call them back if they broke something and get the leaking fixed
pressure wash the engine bay, wait till its dry then start it drive a bit and check everywhere if you want to do it yourself.
you should not have to wait more than 2 weeks.... 1 month is excessive in my opinion

 

[CJONE]

check your pump pressure/relief setting by putting a gauge in your remote. If you have something hooked up be sure to disconnect BOTH lines. plug the gauge into one of the ports and with the tractor hot after running it for awhile. Kick your remote in one way or the other until the gauge reads. It should be in the 2500psi range at idle. If it is on the low side find someone that knows and adjust it to the spec, I believe it is 2600psi but look it up to be sure. The tractor stalling while using the loader is normal if you don't back off the hydrostat while going into a pile of dirt or digging. That comes back to the operator experience. Anything that I have ran that was hydrostatic drive could be stalled out fairly easy while digging. Mine has always been wet on the bottom but usually does not drip, only when ran hard it will maybe leak one or 2 drops. If your is leaving spots then find somebody who knows how to work on these tractors/hydrostats. If they don't know what they are doing they can screw something up QUICK. CJ

 

[TJP89]

An almost brand new tractor heavily leaking is not acceptable. If it's engine oil, big problem. If it's hydro fluid, less major problem and probably why the lift is down. You need to check this out yourself, or get the dealer to fix it (even if it means a loaner) under warranty. Ignoring it isn't going to make it go away, and it will only get worse.

 

[k0ua]

How are you guys stalling out the engine on a hydrostatic tractor? I have moved hundreds of tons of gravel rock and dirt. This is not something I have experienced . tires spin in low and usually med. Range or hydrostatic PRV opens in high range and sometimes in med. Range depending on surface conditions... Engine rpm's will lower some, but never stalls the engine. Please help me understand. All my hydro tractors have all been R4 tires. I have stalled the engine many times on gear tractors from not paying attention.

 

[ksbrdmkr]

My DK HST is a bit slow to stop when coming off the HST pedal so if I am using a lot of pedal into the pile and start lifting as I release the pedal the HST lag will sometimes bog the engine down to zero. Just a bit of learning curve to figure out the timing.

 

[Coyote machine]

How are you guys stalling out the engine on a hydrostatic tractor? I have moved hundreds of tons of gravel rock and dirt. This is not something I have experienced . tires spin in low and usually med. Range or hydrostatic PRV opens in high range and sometimes in med. Range depending on surface conditions... Engine rpm's will lower some, but never stalls the engine. Please help me understand. All my hydro tractors have all been R4 tires. I have stalled the engine many times on gear tractors from not paying attention.

You're probably running in the correct RPM range, and have experience that some might not have from doing many many loads. Also, one learns from use when to let off the pedal so it won't stall.
It's not difficult to not stall once the technique is mastered; it's getting to that point that takes a while.