DK55c and DK65c how reliable

[fairlane]

I looked at DK 55 and 65c the other day really liked them and features. does anybody know how they hold up and have either model gave problems? I like both but still a little shy of other than big name tractor. I already own a Belarus and have had no trouble in 12 years of owning it but the day something breaks i am out of luck. I dont want to run into this again. when i buy something I usally keep it forever and as yall know this is a big purchase since they are cab tractors. I can get (name brand) tractors for few thousand more, just trying to make smart decision I will work tractor and will need to be able to get parts.

 

[rvaitor]

I've got a DK55c and have had a couple of issues but Kioti service at least for me has been outstanding. I purchased a used 05 model last year and the warranty just expired so I am hoping not to have any problems.

I'd go for whichever suits you.

 

[DrRick]

I have a dk55c that has 120 hours now. No problems at all. I use it this weekend to pull a 15 foot terain king batwing mower and it worked very well. Air conditioning is very good. I am in west texas

 

[psuedofarmer]

I purchased a DK55c 3 yrs ago. The tractor now has a little over 800 hrs on the clock. No problems whatsoever. I did recently bend a tie rod assembly on the FEL; ordered at my dealer and had a replacement (under $75) the following week. In general, very impressed with the machine (I own a large fruit/veggie farm), my dealer in New Hampshire, and Kioti customer service.

Using the tractor for more around-the-farm duties; once you cut hay with a cab/AC, you never go back!

Good luck.

pf

 

[rvaitor]

I have a dk55c that has 120 hours now. No problems at all. I use it this weekend to pull a 15 foot terain king batwing mower and it worked very well. Air conditioning is very good. I am in west texas

I'd like to know a little more about this because that seems awfully large for that tractor - I have a 7ft medium duty and can tell it is back there. Is yours a pull type or 3pt?

Thanks - good thread.

 

[DrRick]

It is considered large for the tractor - however the alamo group listed that pull type shredder as requiring a minimum HP of 40, in the archives of their website. It is heavy, weighing in at about 4000 pounds. This is the mower all of the state highway crews ran here in texas for years. It is a pull type with six drag wheels. I was worried that the Kioti pto would really jerk on initiation, but it seems to be very smooth compared to my 6 foot 3-point highway special schredder, which realy shakes on startup. I was cutting moderate grass and tall weeds and did not have any trouble with bogging down. I have used this mower with an old Case 811b , and that tractor had a time running it in tall grass. My rancher buddy that gave me the mower said he thought it needed about 100 horsepower, but as mentioned before the manufacturer says 40 HP is a starting point. I will use it under a pecan grove and in a meadow that has been reclaimed. I was able to run in 1st gear high range and do a fair job on the grass. 4th in midrange is more comfortable around the trees. It is not something that I will use a lot but I plan to be gentle with the use and feel it won't be abusing the tractor. I need to get new blades as I suspect this will cut down on some of the vibration in the unit. On a side note, I had to rebuild the hydraulics and in doing so I combined the two wing cylinders so one line could raise them both. Originally the unit came with its own 3 lever control. One to raise the deck for travel, and one for each wing elevation. All cylinders are single acting. I have it set up in a way that to lower the wings I place the c-d lever in float in the cab and the wings slowly drop. Use the same lever to raise when ready. Other a-b lever is for the deck lift. By using the float I have the wings able to ride the terrain without binding. Hope this was the information you were wanting
rick roberts

 

[rvaitor]

It is considered large for the tractor - however the alamo group listed that pull type shredder as requiring a minimum HP of 40, in the archives of their website. It is heavy, weighing in at about 4000 pounds. This is the mower all of the state highway crews ran here in texas for years. It is a pull type with six drag wheels. I was worried that the Kioti pto would really jerk on initiation, but it seems to be very smooth compared to my 6 foot 3-point highway special schredder, which realy shakes on startup. I was cutting moderate grass and tall weeds and did not have any trouble with bogging down. I have used this mower with an old Case 811b , and that tractor had a time running it in tall grass. My rancher buddy that gave me the mower said he thought it needed about 100 horsepower, but as mentioned before the manufacturer says 40 HP is a starting point. I will use it under a pecan grove and in a meadow that has been reclaimed. I was able to run in 1st gear high range and do a fair job on the grass. 4th in midrange is more comfortable around the trees. It is not something that I will use a lot but I plan to be gentle with the use and feel it won't be abusing the tractor. I need to get new blades as I suspect this will cut down on some of the vibration in the unit. On a side note, I had to rebuild the hydraulics and in doing so I combined the two wing cylinders so one line could raise them both. Originally the unit came with its own 3 lever control. One to raise the deck for travel, and one for each wing elevation. All cylinders are single acting. I have it set up in a way that to lower the wings I place the c-d lever in float in the cab and the wings slowly drop. Use the same lever to raise when ready. Other a-b lever is for the deck lift. By using the float I have the wings able to ride the terrain without binding. Hope this was the information you were wanting
rick roberts

Excellent - thanks.

 

[jeffva]

I bought my dk55c around 2 years back. It has about 180hrs or pretty good service. I've busted my antenna off, bend the loader leveling arm, poped a front tire and dropped a few things on the hood - get the hood/radiator guard.

All in all, I'm quite happy. I have fords and kubotas and one Kioti. I was going to buy the kubota 50hp hydro model, but really started looking at the iron and other build bits and pieces. What initially caught my eye was how light the ROPS was on the kubota and how heavy it was on the dk55. Once I started looking it was a no-brainer.

To be honest, I don't expect the tractor to run forever, but I do expect it to be fixable. We are not buying satellites, and as long as the engineering allows me to replace/repair, I'm good to go.

My 1961 801 ford is still cooking along quite nicely and I intend to ensure it keeps doing just that.... along with my 2005 kioti.

Enjoy!

 

[jdeere5205]

I own a 2004 kioti dk65c with a loader that I bought new, i now have 987 hours on it and i have had a lot of problems with it despite that i take really good care of this machine. My front wipers did not work at 600 hours and my rear wiper gave out last month and the paint is faded to almost a white color, the radio does not work. Not to mention when i start the engine, five minutes later the tachometer moves and goes to the proper rpm. All of these things according to the dealer... not covered by the warranty.



2000 John Deere 5205 w/521 loader, 2005 John Deere 5205 w/522 loader, 2004 Kioti Dk65C w/Kl1730 Loader, 1983 Kubota L235

 

[ocaj11]

Fairlane,

I suggest you do a search on DK55 DK65 on this website and read the reviews before you decide to purchase. My experience with Kioti was simply pitiful, pitiful, pitiful....