DK40SE Squeal When Moving in Reverse.

[kattywumpus]

My dealer updated me Friday stating they are still working on. He also updated me were my new backhoe KB2485 was in the shipping process.

I hope they get this fixed soon, after about 3+ hours of use the sound gets to a level that very annoying.

On a positive note I'm so glad I spend the extra $ for a cab. I can tell you the AC works great even in this 90+ degree weather! It like jumping in a ice box which is great when it hot as **** outside! Saturday I was clearing an area for a large portable garage for the tractor. When I start I blast the AC to cool down the cab. I was out of cab for about 10 minutes cutting small trees and brush with the chainsaw when I return there was a lot of condensation and a little frost covering the upper part of the windows!

 

[kattywumpus]

Received an update from my dealer, his mechanic found after an hour plus of use the pressure out of the hydraulic pump for the HST drop a 1000 psi. They ordered a new pump. I have to note my dealer has really improved his communication. I been receiving an update email or call once or twice a week. They also took care of the tractor transportation to their shop. This behavior is making me hopeful he will resolve the issue. I should get the tractor back in a day or two so I see how it preform then.

 

[kattywumpus]

Unfortunately I did not get the results I was hoping for. The dealer stated in an email the issue was fixed and it is not. If anything it gotten worst, it now starting to make the very loud squeal going forward. The squeal appears to occur when going forward down a slope in addition to doing it in reverse. To get an ideal how loud the squeal is, my wife could hear it from in the house with all the windows closed, with the TV on, and the tractor about 300 feet down the driveway.

To add insult to injury the dealer mounted the backhoe sub-frame upside down. The sub-frame on this backhoe is designed to give additional ground clearance by lifting the backhoe about the frame. By mounting it upside down the ground clearance is reduced. There is a clear mounting diagram in the backhoe manual.

On top of that the dealer want to charge me close to $400 for 50 hours service, keep in mind most of these hours came from them running the tractor to troubleshoot the problem. There have been other issue too, for example when they were off loading the implements at my house using the FEL they swing the scrape blade into the tractor hood. The dealer did replace the hood, but it been one screw up after other. I have lost confident in this dealer ability to provide good service. I may have no choice but to get a third party involved to get this resolved. Most likely this is the last time I will purchase anything with Kioti on it.

 

[SABULA FARMER]

I can understand where you are coming from, I recently purchased a Bobcat after being a loyal Mahindra owner for 3 1/2 years. I truly liked the Mahindra but failed to feel the same way with the service department at my local dealership. I decided to cut all ties and move on. I dont think that Kioti is a bad choice, If you have another dealer that can square things away, I say go that route....You have a great tractor. I hate to see anyone in the situation that you are in, but I was there and can understand the frustration.
Good Luck, and give that Kioti another chance, you will be glad you did in the long run.:thumbsup:

 

[IslandTractor]

$400 for a 50hr service is actually not bad as long as it includes all filters and fluids as well as having them check the tractor over for loose nuts etc. I've always done my own service but recall that Rick Wallace charged something close to that and his prices were always competitive.

 

[MichiganIron]

Make sure you have the backhoe re-mounted. It isn't intended to be mounted in that position.

 

[wallace]

Wow, I am speechless...Is this the kind of Kioti dealers that are replacing me?
Come on..... put a subframe on up side down:ashamed:????????????
Hope he put the engine oil in the engine and not the trans oil in the engine.

 

[dourobob]

Very disappointing that a "reputable dealer" would do an installation like that.
And it appears the original squeal, instead of being fixed, is worse.
Is there someone further up the KIOTI chain-of-command that you can talk with??

I can't imagine KIOTI would not want to make this right!

Bob

 

[kattywumpus]

$400 for a 50hr service is actually not bad as long as it includes all filters and fluids as well as having them check the tractor over for loose nuts etc. I've always done my own service but recall that Rick Wallace charged something close to that and his prices were always competitive.

The price maybe be good under normal circumstance but my situation is not normal. I have barely put 18 hours on this tractor most of the hours has come from the dealer running the tractor in their attempt to troubleshoot the issue. This does not mean they worked on the tractor for 32 hours, they just left it running in they yard for those hours in attempt to get the HST hot. Plus with all issues that have occurred you would think the dealer would give me a break. I would not have minded the cost if the squeal issue was resolved but it wasn't. And then finding the backhoe frame installed upside down really piss me off. This type of mistake indicates to me a total lack of focus on the task at hand. It also makes me wonder about the dealer level of experience with these tractors.

I don't think the people at the dealership are bad people, I think this is more a management and a business plan issue. I purchase the tractor from this dealership for two main reasons, it the closest dealership to Portland, Maine and the price was competitive. I think main reason its failing on the service end is the classic trying to do too many service lines for the number of resources. In addition to being a Kioti dealship, they are also a tool rental, party equipment rental, RV rental, motor cycle service shop, and 3rd party repair shop for other business. It just appears to me they need more experience mechanics.

I have talked to a couple other area dealerships. The first they insured me that the squeal was not normal. The current dealer has said that Kioti has indicted that this is normal, I have a hard time believing this since I have driven HST tractors since I was 12 years old. From a small Cub Cadet to a large John Deere. A whining sound is normal but not a continuous squeal. The other dealerships also reminded me that this type of issue was going to be difficult to resolve and most likely would require the affected part to break. The part breaking is what I'm trying to avoid because with my luck it will happen when I'm at camp in northern Maine replacing the water line 600 feet up the mountain. Plus I would like to save my ears. The other dealers feel that my current dealer really needs to lay out my case with Kioti and hopefully get Kioti to resolve the issue. If not they maybe willing to step in and see what they can do. The other dealers are also looking at the video to see if they have any recommendations.

 

[kattywumpus]

Very disappointing that a "reputable dealer" would do an installation like that.
And it appears the original squeal, instead of being fixed, is worse.
Is there someone further up the KIOTI chain-of-command that you can talk with??

I can't imagine KIOTI would not want to make this right!

Bob

I would love to have some phone #s!

 

[dourobob]

I would love to have some phone #s!

Found this on their web site

"KIOTI would like to thank you for your inquiry. We will make every attempt to provide a timely response to your inquiry. However, due to the large volume of emails, it may take up to 7 working days for us to respond.
* asterisk denotes a required field
CONTACT INFORMATION
- KIOTI Tractor Division:
DAEDONG -USA, INC 6300 KIOTI Drive Wendell, NC 27591

- Phone: 1-877-GOKIOTI
- Fax: 919-374-5001

- Operation Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm EST (Mon. - Fri.)

I also notice the Canadain Sales manager provides a contact number -
Hans Bouwers, KIOTI National Canadian Sales Manger for more details at 416-606-4960.

I bet he would know how to contact his counterpart in the USA.

Good luck and keep us posted.
Bob

 

[kattywumpus]

On a positive note; I received my portable garage for the tractor from Shelters of America last week. I order the 12W x 28L x 11H Barn Style with forest green 14.5oz Industrial Material for $1419. It comes with a 10 year Mfr warranty. It did take a good part of my weekend to set it up, but I'm very impressed with the shelter and everything that was included with it. The industrial covering is very heavy, I can't imagine trying to install the 21.5oz Ultra-Duty Material. I would highly recommend it with the industrial covering.

http://www.sheltersofamerica.com/productdetails.php?productid=640&id=15

 

[kattywumpus]

Found this on their web site

"KIOTI would like to thank you for your inquiry. We will make every attempt to provide a timely response to your inquiry. However, due to the large volume of emails, it may take up to 7 working days for us to respond.
* asterisk denotes a required field
CONTACT INFORMATION
- KIOTI Tractor Division:
DAEDONG -USA, INC 6300 KIOTI Drive Wendell, NC 27591

- Phone: 1-877-GOKIOTI
- Fax: 919-374-5001

- Operation Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm EST (Mon. - Fri.)

I also notice the Canadain Sales manager provides a contact number -
Hans Bouwers, KIOTI National Canadian Sales Manger for more details at 416-606-4960.

I bet he would know how to contact his counterpart in the USA.

Good luck and keep us posted.
Bob

Thanks. I think the key information is Canadian Sale Manager contact number. The challenge is getting pass the first support tier.

 

[KiotiDave]

Hi,
As I stated in my email, you want to make sure that the vents are clear of mud and open. Does it make the noise when the backhoe is not installed and plugged in? You have to add a vent to the case on the left upper side so that you do not pull a vacuum in the case when running hydraulics or HST. Do both of the backhoe lines connect to the remote valve couplers? or does one connect to the filler tube? Standing on the left rear of the tractor can you post a picture of the rear case and remote valves including the filler tube?
If he installed the sub-frame wrong he may have messed up on the hydraulics installation as well.
This is not normal, these HST tractors have been relatively troublefree since introduced several years ago.
Dave G.
KiotiDave

 

[kattywumpus]

Hi Dave,
The backhoe sounds normal and works great other then the subframe being upside down. Yes, both of the backhoe lines connect to the remote hydraulics. I will work on getting a picture. The only other thing I can add at this time is when the sound gets really bad it appears there is more vibration on the reverse petal. Thanks for your reply. I really do appreciate it.

PS: sound occurs in reverse, coming to a stop (both forward and reverse petal released) and now when going slowly forward down hill. Doesn't seem to matter if the backhoe on or off.

Hi,
As I stated in my email, you want to make sure that the vents are clear of mud and open. Does it make the noise when the backhoe is not installed and plugged in? You have to add a vent to the case on the left upper side so that you do not pull a vacuum in the case when running hydraulics or HST. Do both of the backhoe lines connect to the remote valve couplers? or does one connect to the filler tube? Standing on the left rear of the tractor can you post a picture of the rear case and remote valves including the filler tube?
If he installed the sub-frame wrong he may have messed up on the hydraulics installation as well.
This is not normal, these HST tractors have been relatively troublefree since introduced several years ago.
Dave G.
KiotiDave

 

[dourobob]

Thanks. I think the key information is Canadian Sale Manager contact number. The challenge is getting pass the first support tier.

I agree. You have to get to someone with an interest in making it right.
Good luck.

 

[KiotiDave]

Hi,
You have to get that dealer to install that backhoe properly. The hydraulic lines are also not installed correctly. I normally would not say anything about another dealer, but this is not a very good representation of us who strive to do things right. Check with your dealer and have him check with Kioti on the correct installation of those hydraulics. The return line must be routed into the return tube with the kit supplied with the backhoe and a new vent has to be installed in the side of the case to the left of the top link mount. This may not help the HST noise but it will allow your hydraulic system and backhoe to work properly.
If he cannot fix it call Batchelder Sales in Lebanon, ME, excellent service department and they are fairly close to you.
Dave G.
KiotiDave

 

[kattywumpus]

Thanks Dave,
I really appreciate your feedback. I see in the manual were IN-OUT hose kit install instructions are. The kit was not installed and I don't have the parts. Trying to get accurate information from my current dealer has been difficult from the moment I reported the sound issue on the 3rd day of ownership. Also manager's behavior towards me raised many red flags and started me wonder if his motives were something other then solving the problem. It seem like in his opinion I was always doing something wrong, not running the engine at the correct RPMs, not using the draft control correctly, just a few examples and he would make these assumption based on were I last left the controllers. I sure my frustration with this behavior sometime came out in my posting in this issue, but until this latest issue I still tried to be understanding and work with them.

Needless to say I have loss confident and trust in this dealer. I'm even starting wonder if the year of the tractor is correct, he originally told me it was 2010. Later someone told me it was 2009 based on the serial number. I have started discussing the issues with Batchelder Sales.

Again I really appreciate your feedback it helps me to make an informed decision on now to proceed.

Hi,
You have to get that dealer to install that backhoe properly. The hydraulic lines are also not installed correctly. I normally would not say anything about another dealer, but this is not a very good representation of us who strive to do things right. Check with your dealer and have him check with Kioti on the correct installation of those hydraulics. The return line must be routed into the return tube with the kit supplied with the backhoe and a new vent has to be installed in the side of the case to the left of the top link mount. This may not help the HST noise but it will allow your hydraulic system and backhoe to work properly.
If he cannot fix it call Batchelder Sales in Lebanon, ME, excellent service department and they are fairly close to you.
Dave G.
KiotiDave

 

[LaVoie Equipment]

Good morning.

I am sorry to hear you are still having problems with your DK40SE. Call KIOTI ask for Technical/Service Department and they will go to work on it for you. Your situation can be resolved - IT MAY Take time. Don't fault ALL KIOTI because of one dealer! I think if you were not in MAINE, any and/or all of us would tell you to bring the tractor to us - We're 1500 + miles apart though, Sorry.

KIOTI tractors are serialized based on the Calendar year. I.E.: Tractor mfg in DEC 2009 will still have a date code to represent that - so is it a 2010 or an 2009? Technically it is still NEW. We explain this to our new customers all the time. Primarily for parts changes/updates etc.

Is the car you purchased an 08 or 09 or 10? July of the calendar year is the typical change over month. See how this works. You could buy a car in July 2009 that is a 2010 year model.

Back in the 1980's John Deere mfg an over stock of wheel loaders (so the story goes) and you received a serial number one year that was before the one you received last year. VERY CONFUSING.

To me resale value is based upon the tractor, age, and condition. Condition will get you the most resale in the end. Take care of those tractors!

Keep us updated!

Tony

 

[kattywumpus]

Talked to Kioti regional representative Tom Martel (I apologize if I spell his last name wrong) last Thursday. I'm waiting on an email from him with details concerning this next steps.