Kioti LK3054

[dantaylor]

This Friday, I will be buying a 1996 Kioti LK3054 with a KL122 Loader with 740 hours from family for $1,000. Recently I saw the tractor start and run. It has been in a barn for 7 years because of the clutch slipping. My nephew said that he may have turned the adjustment nut the wrong way. I called my local dealer in Jonesboro Arkansas, if clutch needs replacing, it will cost $1,650. Memphis dealer wanted $2,500. I also have bought a new battery for $150. I don't think I want to attempt to adjust the clutch because I am a little unsure of the procedure. Any suggestions as to what else may be of concern because of the 7 year long storage. It is sitting near my sister-in-laws driveway and she told me she wanted it gone!! This will be my first tractor and I know nothing about them. I have read some on this forum and watched some Tractor Mike's and others videos on YouTube. Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[CoyPatton]

Do not fear the clutch adjustment. It is an adjustment of free play travel of the pedal. Not sure on that particular model but usually the free travel is around 3/4”-1”. There should be a turnbuckle located inline on the clutch shaft. You can find this by having someone depress and release the clutch whole under it watching for the shaft movement if you can not do so by just looking. Turn the turnbuckle to shorten or lengthen the shaft as needed. Free play is the distance the clutch pedal moves without resistance. This should be checked and if needs adjustment each spring.
As for things to check from sitting for years
All hoses coolant, hydraulic etc
Belts
Tires

Change all fluids
Hydraulic/transmission (clean screen and change filter)
Oil and oil filter
Air filter
Coolant

Lube the tractor

Spray with lube and work any linkages that may seem stiff.
Throttle controls including foot throttle if equipped
3PH raise lower linkages
4x4 linkages

Check and tighten any lose bolts/nuts (some may have torque specs) including lug nuts

This will keep you busy for a bit, and better yet will get you well acquainted with your tractor!
Hopefully someone that knows this model will jump in with specifics for it. Like lug nut torques. Torques for certain bolts. Actual free travel distances on clutch and brake pedals. (Basically same type of system for brake pedal free travel. There should be 2 for brakes L&R)

 

[CoyPatton]

Oh yes check out the entire run of electrical systems. For a variety of reasons critters will chew on the insulation in wires. Pay close attention to connection points of battery cables. Corrosion is likely at ground cable to frame and possible at starter connection. Check all wires closely on starter as arcs there could cause other issues—fire being a biggie if grease is close by.
Check for algae in the fuel, diesel is much more stable than gasoline, but if water has gotten in it, algae is a huge concern and the tank will need to be cleaned. I would drain the fuel as well and change the fuel filter.

 

[rademamj1]

You need to change the engine oil, oil filter, air filters, replace coolant, change hydraulic fluids, change hydraulic filters, and replace fuel filters.

Also check upper and lower radiator hoses for cracks, and replace if necessary. Replace battery. Grease all fittings thoroughly. Be liberal with the grease, because it's been storage so long.

Good idea to fully adjust and lubricate the clutch cable and Pto cables. Be sure it really needs a new clutch....and not just a simple clutch cable adjustment.

Order a shop manual and owners manual for your tractor. You can find these online. They show you exactly how to adjust the clutch cables. I suspect if the hours of use on this tractor are correct, it is still not ready for a new clutch.

TractorData.com - Kioti farm tractors sorted by model

 

[dantaylor]

Thank you CoyPatton and rademamj1 for your information. I will attempt to adjust the free play of the clutch. My nephew showed me where he took off the inspection cover and adjusted something on the right rear of the transmission. Said I needed a pry bar for the adjustment rotation. I will change all the fluids and various filters when I get it home Saturday.

 

[Damifino]

Thank you CoyPatton and rademamj1 for your information. I will attempt to adjust the free play of the clutch. My nephew showed me where he took off the inspection cover and adjusted something on the right rear of the transmission. Said I needed a pry bar for the adjustment rotation. I will change all the fluids and various filters when I get it home Saturday.

That sounds like a brake adjustment not clutch, CoyPatton nailed it.

 

[Rebeldad1]

maybe have a mobile tractor guy stop by and spend a hr or so with you on this.

 

[CoyPatton]

That sounds like a brake adjustment not clutch, CoyPatton nailed it.

My tractor is not a kioti, and my clutch adjust the same as my brakes. If kioti is different, please someone jump and correct that misinformation.

 

[bullbreaker]

TractorData.com Kioti LK354 tractor information

 

[K5lwq]

Congratulations on a great buy. I have basically the same tractor and loader. Mine is 25HP yours is 30HP. You do not need to go inside anything to adjust the clutch. Coy is spot on with the procedure.

Good luck and keep us updated on your progress!

 

[CoyPatton]

Congratulations on a great buy. I have basically the same tractor and loader. Mine is 25HP yours is 30HP. You do not need to go inside anything to adjust the clutch. Coy is spot on with the procedure.

Good luck and keep us updated on your progress!

Thanks for the input. However there is now the concern with what his nephew did inside of an inspection plate.
Is this something that needs to corrected?

 

[rodneyn]

The inspection plate is for throw out bearing lubrication. Not familiar with any adjustments from this inspection plate. I did own a lk3054 for 17 years. Clutch Pedal free play Is on the left side as spoken from earlier post. Check the water pump bearing they were notorious about wearing out around 700 to 1000 hours. This is one of those tractors that build up heat fast and need good fluid flow to keep motor running cool. I will say it was tough tractor it ran well and did everything I needed it to do. Excellent buy if you decide it痴 not what you want let us know someone will be interested in it.

 

[K5lwq]

Thanks for the input. However there is now the concern with what his nephew did inside of an inspection plate.
Is this something that needs to corrected?

I have no idea what he was adjusting. However, with the great buy he got, even with the $2500 for someone to do the clutch he is still in the money.

 

[CoyPatton]

I have no idea what he was adjusting. However, with the great buy he got, even with the $2500 for someone to do the clutch he is still in the money.

No doubt! He is getting a great deal! I looked into this post because I found a LK3054 with loader near my son and trying to learn about it. Seems I am teaching instead of learning, but I am willing. He is certainly getting a lot better bargain than I found!
Another poster says the inspection plate was to lube the throw out bearing.

That raises a concern for me. If his nephew played in that area, he could be looking at a lot of work or expense. However as you say, he could spend quite a bit and still have a bargain.

Personally, I would find someone that knows Kioti tractors of this vintage and at least describe what was done in this area. If more than grease it. Or post pictures if possible to get opinions from some here.

 

[K5lwq]

I have never greased my throw out bearing. It still has original clutch in it with never an issue. They are great little tractors for what they are. The hydraulics are a little weak with the original pump at 7GPM but they make a 10 GPM upgrade that is a huge improvement.

Also the output steering sector shaft is a little weak. Several have broken theirs including me. There is a Kubota shaft that is a direct replacement if that becomes an issue. I have a thread with part numbers somewhere on TBN.

Anyway I am glad to help if y'all have any questions.

 

[dantaylor]

Got the Kioti LK3054 home tonight and measured the clutch travel (free play), it was ½ inch. It was getting late when I checked it. Will adjust it tomorrow and see if there is any improvement in the slipping.
Thanks to all that offered suggestions. In this tractor business "I have not seen the football since the kickoff". I know nothing!!

 

[CoyPatton]

Got the Kioti LK3054 home tonight and measured the clutch travel (free play), it was ½ inch. It was getting late when I checked it. Will adjust it tomorrow and see if there is any improvement in the slipping.
Thanks to all that offered suggestions. In this tractor business "I have not seen the football since the kickoff". I know nothing!!

To little free travel means the pressure plate does not fully release (poor contact between the clutch and flywheel—aka clutch slippage). Too much free travel means the clutch does not disengage—grinding gears.

 

[rodneyn]

I had special clutch material put on mind at 750 hour mark the clutch gave out linings burned up due to oil leaking from poor sealed plug from factory. Tractor was 1995 model clutch lasted until 1999. Fort Wayne clutch put on better material - after that all was well until I sold it at 1986 hours in 2019. Still running great with new owner no issues whatsoever. I also had to modify loader harness it was a KL122 it must have been the lightest gage material ended up adding support gussets to handle the loader it self. No complaints again it was robust tractor overall. Gladly own another if right deal came along.

 

[dantaylor]

I measured the clutch free play incorrectly from the step to the bottom of the clutch pedal (½ inch). Today, I found in the manual the correct way. It was a little over an inch. Now it's about 1.2 with the end of the rod about ⅛ inch inside the yoke.
When I drive the tractor and increase the rpm's, it does not go any faster, the engine just revs up.
I did grease all the fittings on the tractor and the FEL liberally. I sprayed all the various cable linkages.
I will change the coolant today. I cannot change any of the other fluids because I do not have any filters.
I was hoping that the free play adjustment would take care of the clutch slipping problem.
But I knew going in that the clutch probably need would need replaced and had that figured in the budget.
Again, thanks to all for your advice and help!!

Photo of tractor:

 

[K5lwq]

Thanks for the update. Yours looks a lot better than mine. Clean tractor. Congratulations on a great deal, you should have no trouble at all getting you money back if you ever decide to sell it.