Basic info

kjg26 · Jun 16, 2018

Is there any resource on the internet with basic info on maintenance on these tractors? How to check fuel bowl, how to do oil and hydraulic changes, how to disconnect loader, where and what to grease, how to's in general. I am a brand new tractor owner with a new to me 2013 DK55.

I have never owned a tractor before. I am taking it slow and being careful. I want to be able to keep this thing in the best shape possible but am having to learn along the way without any guidance.

I ask this as I am trying to trouble shoot a strange vibrating/humming sound from one of the loader roll hydraulic lines. I've isolated which line it is but don't know where to go from there.

It was suggested in the hydraulic forum that there may be air in the line and that i should cycle the loader, disconnect the QD and reconnect. Then possible do the same with the loader up in the air. As i'm new to tractors and don't understand how they work entirely it makes me nervous to disconnect a pressure line while the loader is up in the air.

Sorry for the rambling...just trying to get an understanding and guidance.

Thomas · Jun 16, 2018

Have you check hyd.level and what are you running for RPM's for starters.

kjg26 · Jun 16, 2018

Rpm is at the marked pto rate. I want to say 2400. Hydraulic level was fine.

ritcheyvs · Jun 16, 2018

kjg: Recommend you start by reading the owners' manual. You really need to have an owners' manual. If you don't have one, you can (and should) buy a paper copy from a dealer. You can buy a digital copy (probably pirated) on ebay. Exactly what version of the DK55 do you have? You indicate a 2013 model, which would be a DK45se, I think. The first character in the serial number indicates the "build year", which is frequently a year or two earlier than when the tractor was bought. Tractor model years are not like cars; the same basic model may be sold for many years with only minor changes and major changes may be made without changing the model designation. Several dealers provide excellent free online parts sites, like this one by MIE.

kjg26 · Jun 16, 2018

SN is N06800120

ritcheyvs · Jun 16, 2018

That "N" serial number is indeed the 2013 build year. The next three digits (068) indicate a straight DK55 (not SE). I think this may also be called a 551 model. The DK55 is very similar to the DK45 except for the turbocharged engine.

kjg26 · Jun 16, 2018

Yes its a 551. The manual says that. What is the diff between a 551 and a 55se?

ritcheyvs · Jun 16, 2018

I sent you a private message. In my opinion, the 451/551 models were better, stronger designs. I have a 451 (aka DK45s) so I'm biased. I think the SE models were designed to reduce cost. For example, the 551 has a planetary final drive vs a simple 2-gear final drive. In 2005 Kioti changed to a new engine (with stop solenoid on front, same engine as EX and SE models) and some of the manuals still show the old engine (stop solenoid on right side).

kjg26 · Jun 16, 2018

Thank you for the PM. I'm currently reading over the owner's manual line by line. Sadly use tractor is an hour and a 1/2 away from me and just run out and take a look at it. Plan is to be out there tomorrow and/or Monday