DK4510 - running PTO while out of operators station

[TmbrWlkr]

This is an email from Kioti Corporate to me dealer - Today!

"All of our current production tractors utilize a seat switch. If the PTO is running , the operator stands up off the seat, the engine will shut down in 3or 4 seconds as the engine is starved of fuel. This is for safety, as it is unsafe for PTO driven equipment to be running when the tractor has no operator on the tractor. Older CK and DK tractors did not have a seat switch, and standing up off the seat did not cause the engine to shut down. Seat switches are now required."

But - the manual says tranny in neutral and brake on ........ for fixed PTO implements .............. kind of confusing.

Seems like it is an engineering oversight to design a machine that won't run: chippers, 3 pt winches, log splitters, etc etc.

Dealer said to me - " we'll just bypass the safety switch" ........... hmmm

 

[IndyJay]

One might argue that it would be safer without someone sitting in the operator station while using stationary PTO driven equipment. The person operating the driven equipment should be the one in control of PTO engagement, not some otherwise idle person sitting in the seat who might accidentally turn it on at a bad time. Some of the new Massey CUTs actually have a remote PTO switch on the left fender for that purpose, great for using a post hole digger, etc... Would be great complement to the DK's remote 3pt hitch lever.

 

[TmbrWlkr]

Weird. On my 2019 CK3510SE, I only have to apply the brake to start. When running my chipper, I often start and shutdown the tractor while standing next to it. No neutral or seat switch. There doesn't appear to be any safeties at all with the PTO. Don't even need the brake applied.

If SOME part of the tranny is not in neutral - aren't you running after your chipper with armfuls of brush?
Asking for a friend!

Asking for a pass on the snarkyness.

 

[TmbrWlkr]

Part of an email exchange between me and my sales rep:

"Do me a favor if you will - next time you are in your yard with a tractor key in your pocket - please climb on a dk or ck series machine, start it up, and engage the PTO. Place all transmission functions in neutral, engage the pto, stand up, and quickly raise the seat. If the tractor doesn't shut off, and the PTO is still spinning, you owe me a beer. If it shuts off, I owe you one. If it DOES still run - you can call your tech at Corporate and have a little "gotcha" moment. Good luck."

His reply:
"Well, it looks like I and Kioti owe you a beer.
I started a DK4710SE, started the pto, got off to visually see the pto spinning..
The seats do not flip up"

My reply to him:
"And the tractor did not stall? - Looks like your tech owes You a beer!!!
Good news though - thanks"


Looks like all is well in The Kioti Kingdom

 

[IndyJay]

If SOME part of the tranny is not in neutral - aren't you running after your chipper with armfuls of brush?
Asking for a friend!

Asking for a pass on the snarkyness.

A little "snarkasm" never hurt anyone... thanks for the info.

 

[Stan B]

If SOME part of the tranny is not in neutral - aren't you running after your chipper with armfuls of brush?
Asking for a friend!

Asking for a pass on the snarkyness.

I think I see the joke you're trying to make, but if a HST's piston pump with its swash plate at zero-pitch resists the flow of fluid and provides a braking function, can you call that neutral?

 

[TmbrWlkr]

I’m a standard transmission guy - only experience with HST is my Husky lawn tractor. Is there no neutral on the range selector? For the sake of this exchange however, I would prefer to think of that as a hydrostatic brake. If the engine is running, and all you have to do is step on a pedal to get the tractor to move - then can it Really be called neutral?

 

[oosik]

The pre-tier 4, M series, Kubota tractors were designed to be used with stationary PTO equipment. Engage the PTO, stand up, the buzzer buzzes for eight seconds or so, get off and go on about your work. No switches, levers nor concrete blocks.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have a 2011 dk45 cab unit. No seat switch at all. Tractor won’t start if pto switch isn’t on, but other than that there’s no interplay with pto. Tractor needs to be in neutral range (it’s hst) and pro switch off. Than start, engage pro and leave cab. when using chipper, I can simply reach in thru door and hit pto switch then throttle up machine. Don’t need to be in cab to start pto.

 

[TmbrWlkr]

Sigh................... safety Sallies - protecting us from ourselves!