CK35 HST shattered piston at 400 hours

[Amvcane]

I think someone was/is blowing smoke. His signature by his avatar shows a 2013 DK-40. Something isn't adding up, so far. And I've never heard of any HST leak issue with CK series either:confused2:

I also had the hydro leak Illini22 is talking about . I recall finding 3 to 4 others with the same problem. Hydro fluid leaking out of the oval site hole, bottom of tractor trans casting right where the front drive shaft exits the transmission. My dealer fixed mine under warranty. I was the third he fixed. I had PM'ed Illini22 about the problem and his CK went back several times to different dealers and never fixed. He ended up trading in and upgrading to a DK. I imagine he is blowing smoke because he is still pissed.
I don't want to take this off topic any further than I did.
Would feel very good if my tractor company would step up and fix the problem Chris has with the defective piston.

 

[Coyote machine]

You need to re-read post #153. The $8,000 number is AN EXAMPLE ONLY - not a dollar amount quoted. You've jumped to a whole bunch of conclusions based on not reading the posts carefully.

Also - it doesn't matter what you would have done. That's called "Monday morning quarterbacking" and is of absolutely NO help in anyway. The OP needs help dealing with the situation as it currently exists - not projections, suppositions and what other people would have done - postulated after-the-fact.

I don't need to do or read anything; I've been here in this thread since post 1. I'm also one of those who worked to convince Chris to not give up, turn around and seek remedy through his dealer and Kioti. I've been supportive of his decisions all along, and can question an $8,000 # example, as you refer to it, or whatever. What expertise do you have regarding diesels, ANYTHING?! I doubt it. Especially since you just jumped in and don't have a tractor or location listed. I've listened to speculation all day and night long from some people here; and having dealt with Kioti corporate directly and personally, having solved other engine/transmission problems, I suspect you have little to teach me about what is ACTUALLY useful. Ever owned or run an actual shop that fixes foreign made motors, including expensive diesels? I'm doubting that too. IF you have something, anything at all useful to this thread then contribute it. Otherwise find some other thread to troll.

 

[KubotainNH]

Coyote, the OP said the original guy who looked at it mentioned the high dollar figure. Same guy who put the oil back in. The other guy is a diesel mechanic the OP has worked with for many years. Two different guys.

 

[Coyote machine]

OK, I was confusing the two; however I still think having the Kioti dealer and Kioti corporate handle it is the best option. And, as I said in my original post, it was my opinion, based on everything in this thread, and personal experiences with blown diesels costing way more than Chris' engine.

 

[CenTex Chris]

Some things about your guy confuse me. He told you $8,000 for replacing? Rebuilding your engine?

Apologies for the confusion. The mechanic who first diagnosed the broken piston works at a Kioti dealership on the other side of San Antonio from me. He moonlights doing tractor repairs at his home shop. After I initially lost patience with my dealer, I found out about this guy and took it to him. He's the one who suggested $8,000 for a rebuild or replace.

Your guy, is a Kioti tech? I'd only use him as a last resort. Your dealer has all the resources of Kioti service manuals and any special Kioti tools, and trained technicians, etc.
I'd be hesitant to use a shade tree mechanic for whatever the job ends up entailing. JMHO.

No, my local mechanic is not a Kioti tech. Nor is he a "shade tree" mechanic and shame on me if I gave that impression. He has a fairly large shop (for a sole proprietor), has employees, has been in business for years, had a previous career as a master mechanic at a large auto dealership. Popular around here because he covers most extended warranty companies. Has contracts with local Fire & EMS. Is a Diesel specialist. Owns an RV and will work on RVs when he feels like it. Works on our RV. Owns a tractor and will work on tractors when he feels like it. Up to this point, mine had always gone back to the dealer for service and the few minor non-engine issues I've had until now, just because I'm one of those guys that always goes back to the dealer.

I still think having the Kioti dealer and Kioti corporate handle it is the best option.

That's what's happening on Monday. If Kioti corporate chooses not to handle it, then I still have my other local option.

 

[Coyote machine]

Chris,
no need for any apologies, but thanks for extending one anyway. It was my confusion and fault for loosing track of exactly who said what in 17 pages and 165 posts to date.
I was the one who used the shade tree term to get the attention of what I feel might be a less than ideal situation for you while seeking a solution to your tractor.
Evidently, your guy is experienced and has vast knowledge. That's reassuring for you and for the outcome for your tractor, if it heads over to his shop.
It will be interesting to see how Kioti corporate handles this one. Hopefully you'll know soon so you can get it off the trailer and back doing work for you ALONE!
While I think of it, I'd say to your neighbor that you have chosen to keep your equipment in your yard unless you are operating the machine to help someone out, like him.

 

[Threepoint]

[snip]
While I think of it, I'd say to your neighbor that you have chosen to keep your equipment in your yard unless you are operating the machine to help someone out, like him.

Doubt there's any need to go there with the neighbor. If he knows what Chris is going through, I'm betting after this experience he won't be asking to borrow the CK again, regardless of the ultimate diagnosis! :wink:

 

[Beltman60]

I don't borrow what I can't afford to fix
when I do borrow I treat it with kid gloves

My own stuff now thats different

 

[Illini22]

Cm, we talked on the phone once or twice. You gave me some good info as did a few others that had newer ck's leaking hydro fluid under the trans. Yes I upgraded to a dk40. My ck35 was split twice with 48 hours on it. I hauled it back (over 100 miles) after the first time I used it for he same leak. He had it 2 months, said it wasn't leaking and that he couldn't test it because I took all the hydraulics off it (tnt)! The Kioti rep (Jason?) would let me bend his ear and said he couldn't believe that the dealer didn't test at test ports. I hauled it to Lowell Indiana and that dealer acknowledged that it was leaking at the hst. He had it a few months(they sent the wrong parts, etc) I traded it in on a dk40 while it was still being repaired as I didn't have time to haul this tractor around continuously. The dealer said (Kioti) finally acknowledged that replacing the seals, o rings, etc, etc. wasn't going to fix the problem. I filed a bbb complaint with the central il dealer (useless because the bbb represents there members and closed it out as soon as they responded). I also got the attorney general involved from North Carolina, that is when the ball started rolling with the repairs at the Indiana dealer. I can't say enough good things about Ronson equipment in Lowell in. The dealer in cental Illinois, is another story. They failed me as a customer terribly! And Kioti obviously knows that since they replaced the whole hst on my ck35. To my knowledge they are still a Kioti dealer. My bbb complaint can still be seen on the bbb website, along with there ridiculous response about not being able to test the hydraulics. At least the bbb believed them.

 

[Illini22]

Amvcane, I was very disappointed at how a Kioti dealer could say it's not leaking, when its dripping out of the case! Kioti corp. wasn't much help (getting results) until the AG was involved. And I can't believe they would keep a dealer that refuses to acknowledge a hydro leak and let's another dealer clean up the mess.
Coyote, I had spoken to 3-4 other ck owners with the exact same issues. One had luck with just a seal being replaced (so far) the others needed the trans replaced. I'm not here to slam Kioti because I think they can build a fine (dk) tractor, but wish they would give dealers better training or reimburse them more quickly because that's what I heard when I brought it back the second time "I still haven't been paid".
Oh, I love the dk40!

 

[Coyote machine]

<snip>
Coyote, I had spoken to 3-4 other ck owners with the exact same issues. One had luck with just a seal being replaced (so far) the others needed the trans replaced. I'm not here to slam Kioti because I think they can build a fine (dk) tractor, but wish they would give dealers better training or reimburse them more quickly because that's what I heard when I brought it back the second time "I still haven't been paid".
Oh, I love the dk40!

Yes, now that you mention it, I do recall having spoken on the phone about your tractor. I guess I had forgotten about what the exact issue was until you cited more detail about it in this and the above post.
It's tough to recall each issue that people have, especially out of the context of the original discussion. I do remember discussing going to a DK-40 in place of the CK; not that the CK is bad as a series in Kioti's line-up, but that it would likely do a better job for you and your business, construction, if I recall correctly?

Possibly, when your trans was failing, the others hadn't yet come to pass? I ask, because if that is the case I would only have remembered our discussion in relation to your specific tractor. Either way, sorry you had a difficult time and less than satisfactory outcomes from your selling dealer, and Kioti, to the point that trading up to the DK-40 was your most reasonable and prudent outcome. I hope the DK-40 has lived up to it's rep as a bullet-proof tractor.

 

[CenTex Chris]

I traded it in on a dk40 while it was still being repaired as I didn't have time to haul this tractor around continuously.

Do you recall what kind of trade-in value you got for your CK35? With only 48 hours it must have been in like-new condition so I hope they were generous with you.

I can imagine I might be waiting on mine for a couple of months... waiting for parts and / or decisions. if I'm offered a trade toward a CK3510H or CK4010H then I'd be inclined to take them up on it, depending on the numbers.

 

[Illini22]

I think it was 14k or 14.5. It was hst and had 2 sets or remotes. Very nice shape.
Coyote, the dealer I purchased it from (10 miles from home), became a kubota dealer. I found that out when I hauled it back there. They told me it needed to be split and said they would haul it the 2 hours south to a Kioti dealer. That dealer split it, changed some seals and orings, put it back together and it still leaked! Split it again, called Kioti for better diagnostic expertise. Changed more seals and said it was good. It started leaking less than an hour (first time looking under it) after cutting some grass. They probably wouldn't get reimbursed by Kioti, again for the repair (I'm guessing).

 

[Illini22]

So when I hauled it back there, Again they played stupid, lots of phone tag. Then said they couldn't test it because I removed my top and tilt, lol. They actually said that it there rebuttal to the BBB. When I asked for a receipt for what they did (or didn't do). He said. His would have to charge me something like $30. I said I needed a receipt for what you did. He then charged me only $5.xx for "shop supplies" and stated they couldn't test hydraulics because customer removed equipment ( I brought tractor to them in the exact same state I bought it in, with the loader.

 

[Fawken]

I'm glad you chimed in here. This is why I advised Chris not to lay all his cards face up on the table- i.e. post here that he isn't going to press the situation. You called the AG Office which costs you nothing, but they sure can make life miserable for a business owner operating in their state. I'm glad you got got some recompense.

 

[buickanddeere]

There has to be industrial crate engines that will bolt in.
I wonder what neighbour did in an hour or two that you did not in 400hours. Big question is why did neighbour keep driving it at the first hint of trouble ?
Is it past the stage of a farmer fix with a sleeve, piston and rod?

 

[buickanddeere]

Doubt ether would cause that. It appears to be just the skirt that shattered and the lower ring. If ether damaged it the top of the piston would have failed and it would not have started at all. Never seen one do that.

Has anybody mentioned yet that neighbour may have ran the tractor out of fuel and started it on ether until it primed ? Ask the contractor who brought the gravel. I still have to read 18 pages yet.

 

[Fawken]

.... Big question is why did neighbour keep driving it at the first hint of trouble ?
.....

Obviously the same reason the knowledgeable dealer drove it all over the lot and then back onto the trailer.

 

[aczlan]

Obviously the same reason the knowledgeable dealer drove it all over the lot and then back onto the trailer.

And the same reason the "Kioti Mechanic" put the dirty oil that came out of the pan back into the top of the engine...

Aaron Z

 

[Fawken]

And the same reason the "Kioti Mechanic" put the dirty oil that came out of the pan back into the top of the engine...

Aaron Z

Yep. That beats all I've ever heard. Maybe he was in shock from seeing a piston skirt shatter. I know I might be since in all my days I've never seen one do that. I showed the pics to my chief welder at the shop today. 30 years building race cars it was a first for him as well.