DK 4510 - battery location a PIA?

[TmbrWlkr]

I am about to pull the trigger on getting a new Kioti dk4510. About the only thing I have reservations on is the battery location. My prospective dealer had a SE version, but I have not been able to drive an actual straight dk4510. (don't want the SE version as I am a standard transmission kind of guy) My question for you dk4510 owners - how much of an issue is the underslung battery location - for things like jumping the tractor and battery replacement? Do you have to remove the step? Is it shielded at all?

Any info will be much appreciated. Also is there anywhere in the USA that manufactures supplemental grill guard inserts for the rather open guard ( going to be using it in the woods a fair amount).

 

[kantuckid]

Weld expanded steel across the OE front guard is the best solution? The tie rod boots will get battered in the woods-same as with other brands.
That model advertises high clearance- so where's the battery? Both my Kiotis the battery was in front of radiator and easy access.
My DK40 was & DK35SE is, a shuttle shift tractor with a clutch, not HST. Is 4510SE now an HST?

 

[TmbrWlkr]

DK4510 - a simpler version of the 4510se - no hydro - and the battery is underslung on the drivers side inboard of the platform step - not ideal IMHO. 4510SE is now hydro only.

 

[oosik]

The easy answer to the battery question - look at the owners manual. It will tell how to remove/service the battery. OR - talk to the service manager at the dealership where you will be buying the tractor.

I've heard of no company making supplemental grill guard inserts. I took my OEM grill guard off and a local welding shop did this.

 

[TmbrWlkr]

Nice grill guard - As far as the owners manual, I don’t own the tractor yet - the battery question is part of my purchase decision making process.

The service manager may be a viable alternative - but my salesman didn’t have a ready answer - he is looking into it.

 

[perrypower]

I am about to pull the trigger on getting a new Kioti dk4510. About the only thing I have reservations on is the battery location. My prospective dealer had a SE version, but I have not been able to drive an actual straight dk4510. (don't want the SE version as I am a standard transmission kind of guy) My question for you dk4510 owners - how much of an issue is the underslung battery location - for things like jumping the tractor and battery replacement? Do you have to remove the step? Is it shielded at all?

Any info will be much appreciated. Also is there anywhere in the USA that manufactures supplemental grill guard inserts for the rather open guard ( going to be using it in the woods a fair amount).

I'd recommend checking out Broken Anvil Metalworks. He is making custom grill guard inserts for most Kioti tractor models. (They look really great too!)
Check him out on Facebook:

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Or his website: Broken Anvil Metalworks – Custom Metalworking

 

[kantuckid]

My DK35SE came to me with an OE grill guard-it would be cheaper to tack weld the expanded metal onto it unless your fabricating it yourself. In the woods I mostly get branches poking around underneath-not the grill area. If the battery location is vulnerable, how can that model tractor be logically used?

 

[TmbrWlkr]

Not really concerned about vulnerability - as from pics it looks like it has a shield - more from the pain in the a$$ factor of accessibility for jumping the tractor and routine maintenance/replacement.

 

[workinonit]

So I have a suggestion regarding the jumping issue. I installed one of these from Summit I think. It's a remote battery post setup that drag racers use. I needed it to power my 12 VDC fuel pump when I fill my tractor from my 200 gallon fuel tank that's on the trailer. This setup keeps me from having to raise the hood and fish the cable to the battery. It's also really handy for jumping other equipment off. I just ran #2 copper to it but you could upsize that to whatever you need. As far as servicing the battery, My battery in my old tractor lasted 10 years. It was a sealed battery. The replacement lasted 7 years and the third one until I traded it.

 

[TmbrWlkr]

Workinonit - Thanks for the tip - I have a similar system that uses heavy duty waterproof plugs for the winch on my 350 Super Duty so I can set up the winch on my rear receiver. I will put a pigtail on the battery terminals with one of those plugs if it seems like access is "difficult".