Kioti hydraulic systems

[Z-Michigan]

I am tractor shopping and stopped by the nearest Kioti dealer. They seemed pretty good overall, and I was impressed the the quality of the tractors in general. They had in stock a DK55 and DK35, both "brand new" but showing a lot of aging from being outside on the lot. I drove both, and they both seemed like really good, solid tractors. However, there were some glitches - the FEL lift wasn't working on the DK55 (though FEL lower and bucket tilt both ways were working), and the 3ph hydraulics weren't working on either one - they probably just weren't turned on, but the salesman didn't know what the issue was or how to turn them on. So, that leaves me wondering:

-are there known reliability issues with Kioti hydraulics, especially on the FEL?

-is there some magic control that locks out the 3ph lift lever, or that you must turn before the 3ph height control works? Other tractors I've been on you simply move the lever and the 3ph arms move right away.

 

[grizer]

Only problem is dummy salesman.

 

[IslandTractor]

The Kioti tractors are fine but some of the dealerships are very small operations with little product turnover. I'd check out a different dealer.

 

[Z-Michigan]

In fairness to the dealer the guy who specializes in tractors was gone that day and I was dealing with the guy who specialized in construction equipment. I got a generally good vibe from the dealer otherwise and even saw the parts dept, which was very clean and well organized. Basically where I am in Michigan this is the only dealer I would consider for Kioti - if I cross them off then I cross Kioti off my list.

I take it that the 3ph lever should have immediately moved the 3ph arms just as I am used to on other brands??

 

[IslandTractor]

I take it that the 3ph lever should have immediately moved the 3ph arms just as I am used to on other brands??

Yep. There is a valve that controls how quickly the 3PT drops and it may have been turned to a position that prevents the system from working. On my Kioti it is near my heel on the floor but it might be in a different spot on the DK55.

I did not mean to critic your dealer, I was just pointing out that Kioti still has some "mom and pop" dealerships left over from early days.

 

[yuccafarmer]

I am tractor shopping and stopped by the nearest Kioti dealer. They seemed pretty good overall, and I was impressed the the quality of the tractors in general. They had in stock a DK55 and DK35, both "brand new" but showing a lot of aging from being outside on the lot. I drove both, and they both seemed like really good, solid tractors. However, there were some glitches - the FEL lift wasn't working on the DK55 (though FEL lower and bucket tilt both ways were working), and the 3ph hydraulics weren't working on either one - they probably just weren't turned on, but the salesman didn't know what the issue was or how to turn them on. So, that leaves me wondering:

-are there known reliability issues with Kioti hydraulics, especially on the FEL?

-is there some magic control that locks out the 3ph lift lever, or that you must turn before the 3ph height control works? Other tractors I've been on you simply move the lever and the 3ph arms move right away.

I don't have any idea as to why the FEL lift wasn't working but I'm curious as to how the lower and tilt functions could be checked out if the bucket couldn't be lifted? As for the 3pt, I have a DK40 and the 3pt hydraulics are in series with the aux hyd valve. If the aux valve is not in the neutral position, then there is no hyd to the 3pt. I found that out the hard way and confirmed it by checking the schematic on in the shop manual. The shop manual is for both the DK 35 an DK40 so I suspect the DK55 is plumbed in the same way. In short, the machinery is probably fine and most probably the problem was with the salseman not being aware of the details...

 

[Z-Michigan]

I don't have any idea as to why the FEL lift wasn't working but I'm curious as to how the lower and tilt functions could be checked out if the bucket couldn't be lifted? As for the 3pt, I have a DK40 and the 3pt hydraulics are in series with the aux hyd valve. If the aux valve is not in the neutral position, then there is no hyd to the 3pt. I found that out the hard way and confirmed it by checking the schematic on in the shop manual. The shop manual is for both the DK 35 an DK40 so I suspect the DK55 is plumbed in the same way. In short, the machinery is probably fine and most probably the problem was with the salseman not being aware of the details...

Very good info from both you and Island on the 3ph hydraulics. Seems Kioti has more hydraulic features in this size range than most competitors.

The FEL was in a raised position before we turned tractor on. I lowered it and played with bucket while test driving. Finally bucket was at ground level and wouldn't raise. With much fiddling we discovered it would raise if you simultaneously used bucket curl and lift functions, however it wouldn't raise if you only used lift function. This allowed me to park the tractor without scraping the bucket everywhere. Seems to me like there is probably an internal problem in the valve box for this loader, but I'm no expert on hydraulics.

FEL on DK35 worked fine, and quite well. I was quite impressed with the DK35 overall, though I think it's slightly small for my intended tasks. Also now leaning to HST when I was yesterday morning leaning toward gear transmission. (See my other post in buying forum asking about availability and price of DK45SE HST.)

 

[DK35vince]

Very good info from both you and Island on the 3ph hydraulics. Seems Kioti has more hydraulic features in this size range than most competitors.

One of these features is draft control.
The draft control lever is right beside the 3 point control lever.(did you try moving both levers when trying to raise/lower the 3 point ?)
Moving the draft lever will adjust the draft sensitivity, but will not raise/lower the 3 point arms.

 

[MadReferee]

Seems Kioti has more hydraulic features in this size range than most competitors.

Not really. All tractors with loaders and a 3pt have the same hydraulic functionality. Additional options (remotes, draft control) are also available on some tractors.

The FEL was in a raised position before we turned tractor on. I lowered it and played with bucket while test driving. Finally bucket was at ground level and wouldn't raise. With much fiddling we discovered it would raise if you simultaneously used bucket curl and lift functions, however it wouldn't raise if you only used lift function. This allowed me to park the tractor without scraping the bucket everywhere. Seems to me like there is probably an internal problem in the valve box for this loader, but I'm no expert on hydraulics.

You are correct. It sounds like the joystick linkage is imporperly adjusted. Fixing it should take no more than a few minutes.

 

[Oleozz]

The DK 45 comes standard with one set of rear remotes and draft, the 55 has dual remote hydraulic valves. They both use the 134 cu in. engine but the 55 is turbocharged. The PTO of the 45 is 38 hp, the 55 is 45 hp. It looks like both tractors have the same hydraulic capacity, a total of about 14 gpm. The 3 point hitch lift capacity are about the same in both tractors, the 55 weighs about 500 lbs more in total weight. I can also tell you that the FEL on the 45 is heavy duty, they claim a lifting capacity of 2,800 lbs. but that sure might be stretching it.

 

[grizer]

If one of the remote levers is moved into detent, (on) controls will not work well for other equipment.

 

[MadReferee]

If one of the remote levers is moved into detent, (on) controls will not work well for other equipment.

Since hydraulic valves on tractors are connected in series, that is a normal condition. Any valve in the circuit after the one you are holding open may or may not work.

 

[grizer]

Yep, thats what I said.

 

[wallace]

I'll bet that if you check the quick couplers on the loader of the DK55 you will find one of two things
1 the couplers are in the wrong ports
2 a coupler is not in all the way



Anyone want to go to Vagas with the bet?????

 

[fiddleback]

About the 3pt arms not working. When I had mine delivered new with a bh on it I didn't even think to operate the lift arms ( they dont interfear, it just wasn't on my mind). When I took the bh off to run a bush hog, I couldn't get the lift arms to work, AT ALL! After calling a few friends and throwing a few fits- it seems there needed to be some weight (2 men hanging off each lift arm). It didn't look to be any rust or anything out of order so I cant say they were rusted down, who knows? Since then, I havn't heard boo from the lift arms, they're performance has been flawless. Tom

 

[grizer]

You got it right wallace tractor, aint betting against a sure thing.

 

[grsthegreat]

If one of the remote levers is moved into detent, (on) controls will not work well for other equipment.

on mine, if i leave the rear remote on detent, the hydraulics hardly work. only does this if nothing is installed on these rear lines. im planning on installing a hose loop to prevent this from happening. starting tractor with locked detent is real hard on system. if detent is locked, my bucket doesnt want to lift either. the same thing happened on my john deere. its not a fault of the tractor

 

[JoelD]

Tough to imagine in today's market a dealer with two machines on their lot, available to customers and both had issues.

A terrible signal if you believe in the first impressions rule of thumb.

Joel

 

[Gittyup]

This thread is like 4 years old???