No Guts HI gear HST

getut · Nov 24, 2004

I've been keeping quiet lately trying not to stir up the hornets nest about this issue and give Kioti a chance to come through for me.

I still havn't gotten them out from Wilson to come take a look yet, although the service manager has told me it would happen. I am still giving Kioti the benefit of the doubt until they prove me wrong but I will be posting videos in Windows Media Player format on my web server if they tell me "this is the way it is supposed to be" once they do take a look at it. If it is "the way it is supposed to be" as my dealer told me, then I will do all within my power to inform everyone that the way it is supposed to be won't do any work without babying it along all the time.

I don't want anyone else to be disappointed. I will definitely feel like I have been had if I get that response, because I can't even use my box scrape when it fills with material... I can't even drag it along in low range (much less the high range issues I have posted about).

I am about to change fluids the first time over Thanksgiving weekend. Hopefully it will make a drastic change. I'll be giving Kioti another call if it doesn't and we'll just have to see what they say before I escalate and start "informing the masses" over the internet.

getut · Nov 24, 2004

Hello again Bob...

Engine power isn't the issue.. its a stong little engine. The problem is fully related to the HST unit. Flat ground isn't that big of an issue either.. I can mow at a good speed with mine. Its just if the going gets tough I have to switch to low range, not because it is out of power, but because the HST won't pull it. If the going gets toughER then low range even stops working.

We have had quite a bit of rain recently so the ground is soft. I can't even push my loader into the ground in a swale in my pasture (hitting the swale with the left and right wheels straddling the swale). This has the effect of reducing the amount of edge in contact with the ground to about 2 feet. Still have to baby it like crazy to get a bucket full of material.

whenley · Nov 24, 2004

Well, this is becoming a trend. I tried a CK20HST yesterday and it has the exact same Hi range problem. Will not climb even a small step in Hi range - exactly as reported by Getut/Kkid above. I had read about this in the forum before my test drive at the dealer so made sure to try to replicate it as described previously.

Wish I could chain something heavy to this baby and see what she'll pull in Lo.

I am bummed, I really want the CK. I have not even seen a gear drive in our area (northern VA). Want to check one out. Cant find pics of gear drive in brochure or website. Want to see the pedal/gear lever layout. Is it still an 'open' floor plan. I do like the operator room on the CK20H. Ease of mount/dismount is important to me. Will do lots of pulling/dragging with whatever tractor I get.

I have never had an HST, gears all my life, but HST sure seems the 'modern' way to go, and boy can it make an operator lazy! Should have never tried one.

I feel forced to give the Kub7510H another look. I think the CK is more tractor for less $$, but it seems gear is the only way to go with Kioti. Need to find one to check it out.

I hope I have not sounded too pessimistic, somebody help cheer me up.
thanks

pilonidal · Nov 24, 2004

I admit my CK20HST is weak in the HI range but I don't use that range for anything but road travel or mowing. I have the MMM and run it 2000 rpm in Hi when mowing with no problem, and I have gentle grades to mow up. When my daughter mows I put it low for her. She would be done double time with not to much cut in HI /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif . I just moved/dragged 26 tons of rock on my drive with no problem. Occasionaly, though not intentional, dropped the bucket blade down with to much pressure and backed up dragging more than I wanted with only the rear wheels in contact with the ground. As with anything, seat time has should me how to use and finesse my little beauty. It does have its limitations. I'll have to try that 2x4 test .

getut · Nov 24, 2004

I wish I would have gotten geared now... but it still would be a pain for my main uses, mowing and loader/boxblade work.

Especially mowing, the CK20 gear doesn't have a live PTO or 2 stage clutch (BIG downside for me and the main reason that I ruled out gear right off the bat).

But based on the fact that I have a $15,000 tool that has to be babied at the moment, I would work through those issues.

getut · Nov 24, 2004

Ya Pilonidal,

I agree but when mowing around trees in high range, slowing down to get close to something and a tire touching a root or the edge of the driveway requires either 1) backing up to get a running start at it, or 2) stopping completely to put it in low range to get up on the new grade is a) completely wrong with the unit needing a re-design or repair or b) the way it is supposed to be, making the owner feel like a good old fashioned heel that got sold on something that won't work.

Right now I am squarely in the middle of B. I think Kioti needs a re-design and retrofit as a recall if this is consistent across all of them with no fix. The fix part is yet to be seen.

pilonidal · Nov 24, 2004

Hmmmmmmm, ya that is verrrrrrry weak and disappointing. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Guess I just haven't noticed/realized or had an eye opening experience like that.

Bob_Skurka · Nov 24, 2004

Is it possible to adjust the relief valve? While that might not be the best thing in all circumstances, it might be a 1/2 of a cure if it can be adjusted (by the dealer so as not to void a warranty).

VT_Kioti · Nov 24, 2004

I mow in hi range all the time. The few times I have taken it on the road to do some work for my neighbor I have noticed a drop in road speed when going up hill. But with Hydro transmissions the harder you press on the pedel the less torque the trasnmission produces so I don't find it an problem at all.
In low range it could tow a tank (sort of /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif) so there is plenty of options to get the work done.

Al

Sorry Bob
I didn't read all the way though and thought you were asking about the CK30HST