New DK40SE HST - FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!

[CowwFace]

Pack,
I did it!!!! Brought home my new toy/tool this afternoon!!! Going to try and post pics of the awesome afternoon festivities :thumbsup:

DK40SE HST, 401 FEL, 2 Chain Hooks, loaded rears, Sun Shade (not installed - I will do a little later)......took a trip thru the yard so I did manage to get the tires a little dirty. Had rain all night last night so the Mrs. told me not to make a mess....have her (the Kioti) tucked away in the garage for the night!!!

Hey GKH..,

Dang them be good looking tractors when they are clean!! I've had my DK40SE HST since Sept of 2009 and I could not be more happy with it. I'm in the process of doing the 50hr service on it .. did the Engine Oil at 48 hours, Front Axle at 50hrs, and I think I'll be at about 50.5 when I do the HST oil ... that's a biggie with 11 gallons. Pace myself doing one at a time so I don't spend all day under the tractor.

My recommendations ....
1: Lights .. if you are going to run it at night you will need to get some additional lights, both front facing and Rear Facing.

2: Fill the rear tires. I did mine with 50/50 mix of RV antifreeze and water and it seems to help with FEL work. Hauled a bunch (I'd guess about 20 tons) of re-claimed asphault and I did not have any implement's on the back and with a full bucket backing up a slight hill the back bumped up just a bit with the loaded tires.

3: Block heater. Here in Colorado I had to use the heater for the tractor to start on cold snow plowing days. Anything below 30, the old girl would not start w/o a good hour or so of block heater (I have the lower radiator hose version).

4: I ran it around 2k to 2.1k RPM for the breakin, but the 540 PTO line is a bit higher .. and I tell you the power differance at about 2.2k to 2.5k RPM is MUCH greater than the 2k.

I've had zero problems with my Kioti. I think you will be quite happy! Welcome!

Carry on,
Phill

 

[IslandTractor]

4: I ran it around 2k to 2.1k RPM for the breakin, but the 540 PTO line is a bit higher .. and I tell you the power differance at about 2.2k to 2.5k RPM is MUCH greater than the 2k.

I agree there is a big jump in power from 2200 to 2500RPM but I find it rare to need that extra power. About the only time I use it is when mowing very tall lush grasses in early summer or sometimes on the open road just for best ground speed. No need for those RPMs for loader work or backhoe or routine mowing for me. 1800-2100 works fine for most things. Using the lower RPM saves noise, fuel and wear so long as you don't lug the tractor.

 

[gkh7890]

Now for the "dirty pictures" as promised!!! :laughing:

Put 7 hours on it mowing over the next 2 days...just using the BB72 right now. Waiting to get a finish mower! Some of the pics are better than others as my daughter took some thru/out a window.....

Gone thru my first tank of diesel...about 8 hours of use. Put the FEL back on and did some cleanup of the burn pile and used the chain & hooks to drag a tree and branches to my wood pile area for cutting. I smiled when I was done b/c believe it or not....I felt guilty! Why? IT WAS SO EASY!!!!! So much easier than doing it all by hand like we had up until now!!!!

Day after the tree/branches work, spent 1.5 hrs with my oldest boy teaching him how to work the FEL and how to "feather" the bucket. He enjoyed it immensly.....me too! (Good bonding time!!)

What type/kind of lights would you all recommend for front/rear? I saw some "driving lights" as WalMart.....I'd be curious to hear and/or see what you all have done in this area????

Thanks to all!!!!

 

[Oleozz]

Great pics, what a nice looking tractor.
Just a word of caution about picture posting here on TBN, if you show any with your ROPS down while working you will have the Safety Patrol after you like a swarm of mad hornets.

 

[IslandTractor]

Ditto on the ROPS. You just need a new garage/barn.

I don't bother taking my FEL off for mowing tasks. Of course it does obstruct the view somewhat but I am always finding rocks or branches along the way that I can deal with immediately using the grapple or bucket rather than having to mow around. Your fields look wide open and perhaps you don't grow rocks like we do in New England.

 

[gboudreau]

Nice looking tractor I love my DK40se. I have the same problem with the ROPS and have to tilt it down to get it in the garage, some day there will be a new garage with a 10foot door. I agree with island no need to remove the loader, I keep mine on it is handy to put the line trimmer in and other hand tools, enjoy the new toy.