3rd shuttle shift failure!!

[deputyrpa]

Yes, it's a new year and time for the DK45's shuttle shift to fail. Last July was the second failure with 460 hours. Now with 639 hours, it's throwing out of forward again. This is totally unacceptable for a machine of this caliber, and has really put me in a pinch with the late planting season.

I'm doing everything by the book - stopping completely before shifting, etc. in fact, I did not plow snow or do much loader work this years as I did last, since I acquired an excavator and dump truck w/plow. Most of the hours were with a flail mower and post-hole digger with about 50 hours of plowing and discing. No significant back-and-forth maneuvers.

I'm thinking of trading it in. This is clearly a chronic pattern that I cannot afford to deal with.

 

[rd_macgregor]

I'm surprised that you have had to do this repair more than once. I was lucky enough to get my DK45 shift fork (and sychros) replaced under warrantee. The mechanic said the new one was obviously beefier than the original; I've put another couple of hundred hours on the replacement without problems...sorry to hear that your repair didn't work out so well.
With this kind of experience, I think I'd be looking to trade up as well.
BOB

 

[grsthegreat]

For the number of Kioti tractors sold in this country per year your bound to have some problems. I'm sure other brand of tractors also have issues with this happening. Now to state that all Kiotis are doomed to failure is a blatant lie.

Just cause Toyota recalled trucks and cars for brake problems doesn't mean Toyota builds crappy cars.

I don't think its proper to bash a brand like this character "tomslawn" with 10 posts is doing. Ive owned a JD tractor and the front axle failed. I don't think all JD's are bad cause this happened. It just my bad luck. That tractor gave me 1400 hours of nice use overall and i was happy with it.

 

[MossRoad]

Thread pruned. No pm's sent. No brand bashing allowed in the forums.

 

[slowzuki]

Was the updated part fitted during past repair? I've seen a dealer (not kioti) fit an old part from their stock or be sent the old part from the manufacturers warehouse after the date of a service bulletin detailing the new parts. As an example, there was a bracket to repair an alternator mount on my MF that was supposed to be fitted. They twice replaced broken alternator mounts with the same faulty part without adding the bracket. Third failure was outside of warrantee, low and behold they find the tech note issued the year of manufacture saying to add the brace.

 

[deputyrpa]

Both times the beefier fork was installed.

 

[lockhaven]

I was wondering if anyone thought about checking what the broken parts are mounted to. Without everyone having this problem there could be something that is assembled wrong or loose that is causing the breakage not the part itself. My grandfather always told the story of a car he had that when it hit a bump in the road just right the wheel would whip out of his hands and the car would run into the ditch. Did that for years until talking with a man one day the fellow told him that the axle was installed backwards. He turned it around and the problem was solved.

 

[PoorMansCat]

Yes, it's a new year and time for the DK45's shuttle shift to fail. Last July was the second failure with 460 hours. Now with 639 hours, it's throwing out of forward again. This is totally unacceptable for a machine of this caliber, and has really put me in a pinch with the late planting season.

I'm doing everything by the book - stopping completely before shifting, etc. in fact, I did not plow snow or do much loader work this years as I did last, since I acquired an excavator and dump truck w/plow. Most of the hours were with a flail mower and post-hole digger with about 50 hours of plowing and discing. No significant back-and-forth maneuvers.

I'm thinking of trading it in. This is clearly a chronic pattern that I cannot afford to deal with.

If the machine is still under warranty, I would get with the repairing dealer and ask that they get a regional rep involved in the repair... If you can talk directly to the rep, explain your situation to him.... most of the time, manufacturer reps will help out in resolving the situation.....
If its not under warranty, then you're into a tough decision.... gotta weigh the cost to reapir and will it STAY repaired vs. the cost of a new tractor.... thats gonna be a tough one!!!!!........

 

[deputyrpa]

It's still under warranty. I'll contact the regional rep. Thanks for the advice!

 

[EHR]

Sent you a pm

 

[WSJ]

Man, you are hard on equipment! I recommend you consider trading it in on an anvil.

I've got this mental image of our mutual friend Roger and his favorite phrase, "Operator problem!" hahahahaaha!

 

[deputyrpa]

Man, you are hard on equipment! I recommend you consider trading it in on an anvil.

I've got this mental image of our mutual friend Roger and his favorite phrase, "Operator problem!" hahahahaaha!

You a funny man WSJ. Yeah, At least I don't use my tractor to plant pumpkins and rabbit greens.....

I called the tech department at Kioti, and am pleased that they stated that they will stand behind their product by recognizing the history of the issue and honoring any such repair past warranty. My local dealer also voiced his support and stated he will get the tractor repaired as quickly as he can. I can't ask for anything more, nor do I want anything more.

I know there has been several issues with Kioti service detailed on this site - but there exists a majority of pleased customers out there who have received excellent support. In general I believe in giving people the benefit of any doubt by taking them at their word first, and I am confident in Kioti's statement of service support.

 

[JoelD]

Hoping this the last time

 

[WSJ]

Yeah, bad luck and/or simply the statistically unavoidable lemon with respect to your shuttle problem but you can't fault their service.

And of course you know I'm not into bashing the Kioti's because I've had great service out of mine. On the other hand, the life of rabbit greens and pumpkins tractor might be a tad easier than yours has experienced. Plus, no bedrock or clay in my neighborhood. -WSJ

 

[MotorSeven]

Dep, man if it were me I would explore the option of having them swap you out for a Hydro. Three times is just too much.
We rolled 5 bales on our first cutting and the baler pick-up shaft broke. We have been waiting for parts for 9 days...had to get a neighbor to come bale up our hay. Broken equipment is a real pain in the arse.

 

[jonyyuma]

Glad your dealer was understanding about the problem. Maybe there is an improved part?

 

[hawkeye08]

If it is a hobby tractor, perhaps that would be acceptable, but if it is relied on to get work done (make a living, turn a profit), then I would not be happy. The dealer can fix it every time, but will they give you a loaner and take care of you so you don't have downtime?

I am glad the vendor and dealer are standing behind the product.

 

[Coyote machine]

I'm glad someone other than me also suggested contacting dealer and zone rep to resolve your issue. :thumbsup:

(I had mentioned this early on in this thread, when the fool who was pruned out of the thread, (at my request to the site administrator), had his slam on Kioti removed, and for whatever reason my referring to his posts was also pruned, hence the suggestion to not give up or in and to contact and escalate the problem through the usual and proper chain of command/custody until you get proper results.

I mention this for you, and hopefully others to never loose sight that if the dealer and manufacturer are given adequate respect and the proper notification then things usually have their best chance of proper and potentially happy customer resolution. I'd hate to see someone in a situation like you are/were in throwing up their hands and getting beaten up on a trade due to a fixable problem that went unfixed due to frustration on the part of the end user - you or some other owner.



I think it speaks well of Kioti, and your dealer/ vendor(s) and anyone else caught up in your issue that they are stepping up to the plate for you...

I love the power of the internet and forums like this one which connect people together to solve problems.

Check out this situation for edification/entertainment while you wait on your issue being solved...
The last few pages explain the current believed to be solution....

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...176565-dk40se-squeal-went-moving-reverse.html

Please post back the outcome and solution to your tractor's woes.

 

[beenthere]

Maybe a HST tractor is in your future? Not fun to have to avoid doing tractor duty for fear the innards will not hold up to regular forward/reverse usage.
Hope it works out well for you this time.

 

[PoorMansCat]

You a funny man WSJ. Yeah, At least I don't use my tractor to plant pumpkins and rabbit greens.....

I called the tech department at Kioti, and am pleased that they stated that they will stand behind their product by recognizing the history of the issue and honoring any such repair past warranty. My local dealer also voiced his support and stated he will get the tractor repaired as quickly as he can. I can't ask for anything more, nor do I want anything more.

I know there has been several issues with Kioti service detailed on this site - but there exists a majority of pleased customers out there who have received excellent support. In general I believe in giving people the benefit of any doubt by taking them at their word first, and I am confident in Kioti's statement of service support.

Glad to hear they are getting behind you on the repairs!. If its not clear cut abuse/neglect, given the chance, most manufacturers will do the right thing....