DK40- Minor annoyances

[IXLR8]

Hi folks,
For the most part I am enjoying my new DK40SE, although I have found a few minor annoyances/issues in the 2 hrs I have put on it.
- Why does Kioti put the rear tire valves toward the inside where they are a pain to get to?? Every DK I remember looking at has it this way. I would like to swap the tires and put the valves on the outside... but I am not about to wrestle with loaded tires.
- I had a second remote added to my tractor and the added C/D lever is bent forward and it rubs my leg... most annoying. I am hoping to be able to swap the A/B and C/D levers to fix this.
- The RPM's go up/down a few hundred RPM when I tilt the steering wheel up/down, this seems a bit odd. Dealer thinks cable it too tight, but looking at the drawings and posted pictures, it doesn't seem like that would be it.

PS- I need to make up a ballast box if I don't get a backhoe and I was looking for the fittings to attach to the 3pt hitch. I know others have posted where they got them... but I can't find those postings now. Does anybody have any quick suggestions where to find them? I have looked thru my limited scrap pile for something that I could use but there is nothing.

Thanks

 

[Deerherd]

These work great as a start for a ballast box. Maybe search carry all. Some guys have made some real sweet ones that you can add weight to and carry all kinds of good things. Chain saw holders etc.

CountyLine® Carry All, Category 1 Quick Hitch Compatible - Tractor Supply Online Store

 

[rmorey]

Hi Jim,

I agree with the valve stem issue...pita. Also, on mine, the nuts are on the inside as well. Re ballast, the backhoe is handy, but I have seen the posts for 3 pt hitch arms at Tractor Supply. Few bucks each.

 

[murphy1244]

the valves are like that when you have the widest setting. the dealer has the wrong lever on, mine came with the wrong one too. I tilt mine before starting. get 3 point stuff at a tsc or same store.

 

[IXLR8]

Thanks folks, I had searched TSC and TBN, but I couldn't find anything. Your suggestions gave me different terms to search by and I found most of what I needed. The carry-all doesn't have the capacity I need, the carry-all is rated for 1000lbs, I believe the spec to match the loader requires something like 1300lbs.
I typically tilt the steering before starting, but I tilted it back up to get off one time when I left it running and that is when I noticed it.

 

[Deerherd]

Jim,

I think with loaded tires the carry all would be fine, plus much more handy!

As a side note I purchased a new workshop manual last August when I bought my Kioti. Sold the Kioti but still have the manual. If you are interested I would sell it for $50 including shipping. (It's pretty big)
PM me your address and you could send me a check after you get it.

Dave

 

[murphy1244]

that's a great deal!

 

[ritcheyvs]

To expand on Murph's points, the rear tire webs and rims are both reversible to allow four different settings for the rear wheel spacing. The valves just end up where they end up. About ballast, I leave a mower or rotary cutter on my 3-point all the time unless I need the space to maneuver.

 

[grm61]

IF the stems bother you that much, you could have a tire shop pump the tires out, knock the bead back, drill a hole in the wheel, and put another stem in the outward facing side of the wheel.

 

[Mark Headley]

I have a (new) 2012 DK45SE-HST. One annoying thing is the play in the tilt column. When its latched in a given spot I can lift up and down and there's an undesirable amount of play- maybe 1/2 inch +/-, dealer said this is normal and I don't have another to compare to. Is this 'normal' on your DK rigs?

 

[murphy1244]

/You mean the whole column moves up and down?

 

[grm61]

I have a (new) 2012 DK45SE-HST. One annoying thing is the play in the tilt column. When its latched in a given spot I can lift up and down and there's an undesirable amount of play- maybe 1/2 inch +/-, dealer said this is normal and I don't have another to compare to. Is this 'normal' on your DK rigs?

Mine is like that, if your talking about moving it up and down in the direction it tilts.
It is the column that moves.

 

[Mark Headley]

The play is in the up/down direction like it's in the tilt mechanism itself- if that helps.

 

[TWITRA]

As far as the tire valve stem issue....your dealer was...well, lazy and neglected to dish the tires properly. When we receive the tires from kioti, they are shipped with the dish at the most minimum of back spacing. There are tags on these tires labeling them right or left. No matter the spacing of the dish, minimum, moderate or maximum, the valve stem is and always should be on the outside rim face. As far as the column issue, there is unfortunately some play evident in the tilt, be it minor, but it can be of annoyance. Just remember, the steering wheel is there to provide steering function and not leverage to remove yourself from the tractor seat.

 

[IXLR8]

As far as the tire valve stem issue....your dealer was...well, lazy and neglected to dish the tires properly. When we receive the tires from kioti, they are shipped with the dish at the most minimum of back spacing. There are tags on these tires labeling them right or left. No matter the spacing of the dish, minimum, moderate or maximum, the valve stem is and always should be on the outside rim face.

Time to get out my manual and see just what I have for a tire setup. I just received an email from my dealer about the valve stems being on the inside. He said they always deliver the tractors with the tires set the way Kioti ships them. He said he believes that gives the widest stance and putting the valve stem on the inside offers it the most protection from harm. So it seems he does it that way on purpose. The reason I noticed the valve stem being on the inside was the tires are way over inflated, only the middle 5" or so of the tire touch the ground. I wanted to let some air out so the contact patch would be the full width of the tire... maybe I would tear my lawn up less with a bit more contact area. The only way to let some air out, and not have the liquid come out, is going to be with the valve stem at the top. I don't know if I can even see the VS when it is at the top tucked up inside the fender like it would be, never mind get a tire gauge on there so I can read it. Although as long as I get full width contact, does it matter what the pressure is?

 

[ritcheyvs]

As far as the tire valve stem issue....your dealer was...well, lazy and neglected to dish the tires properly. When we receive the tires from kioti, they are shipped with the dish at the most minimum of back spacing. There are tags on these tires labeling them right or left. No matter the spacing of the dish, minimum, moderate or maximum, the valve stem is and always should be on the outside rim face...

I can't speak to the SE models but my DK45S manual shows four (approved) ways the rims can be bolted to the disk and the valve will be on the inside for for half of those. I had my dealer remount the wheels as narrow as possible for access through my six foot barn door and the valves are on the inside. This does make air pressure service more difficult but there is plenty of room for an air chuck or a gauge. You are absolutely right that there is only one way the tires should turn.

 

[caver]

My annoyance is where they put the parking brake lever.

 

[murphy1244]

My annoyance is where they put the parking brake lever.

Knee wrecker for sure

 

[tcreeley]

If you are putting a ballast in the rear, try to have it stick out as little as possible. I use the tractor supply carryall on mine during the winter for wood and leave it on. I also plow snow and leave my plow on. I get tired of the extra "length" when I am trying to maneuver in tight places. It is easy to forget about the carryall when you are using the bucket or plow.

I am surprised you need a ballast if your tires are loaded. My tires are and I don't use a ballast - don't need it.

 

[kiotiken]

I'm going to have to check, my valves are on the outside and I can't imagine the tires could be set wider, they're already 6" past the rear fenders. Anybody know with the width is if set to the widest setting with R4's? I don't feel my tractor is unstable, but I would have it set as wide as possible if it isn't already.