Heads up Kioti owners

wallace · Dec 21, 2005

Guys and girls I can't stress this enough.. you have to go over the bolts on your machines, we just received another tractor in and the loader bolts were loose.
I don't care how or if you dealer torqued the bolts they will still loosen up.
Also if you unplug a wire harness do not put it back together unless you put dielectric grease in it.
If you live in a cold region you also must run a additive in you fuel to keep you from freezing up, it does not matter if the tractor is keep inside if it gets cold enough outside while you are running it it will gel up especially a tractor that has a fuel tank away from the heat of the engine.

Happy Holidays /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

DaveNay · Dec 22, 2005

Is this fuel requirement specific to Kioti's? I use unmodified diesel from my local filling station, and with overnight temperatures for the last three weeks here in IL being right around 0 deg F every night, I have had absolutely no fuel troubles starting the tractor before dawn every night.

If you are experiencing bolts loosening, then you can either put a star or split washer on them, or even a drop of Loctite.

I've never added dielectric grease to my connectors, but I agree it would probably be a good practice to get into.

Dave

Highbeam · Dec 22, 2005

Do you mean the 20 or so bolts on the loader support subframe? The gold ones? Could you please provide a torque spec. Also, are they all the same? and if so, what size are they. I noticed in the day or so after delivery that one bolt was missing. I don't believe it was ever there though.

I am a notorious antisieze, dielectric grease, and chassis grease overuser. It has served me well over the years.

DrewL · Dec 22, 2005

Bolts coming loose is not a problem exclusive to Kioti. I worked at a Deere dealer years ago and had the same problem of loader bolts coming loose.

I run a fuel additive as a matter of course

Maineiac · Dec 22, 2005

Thanks for the information. As a neophyte tractor owner--never had a diesel, either--I appreciate the tips. My LB1914 has been starting just fine, but I suppose it can't hurt to use the additive.

Dargo · Dec 22, 2005

In over 20 years of owning tractors I've had maybe 1 or 2 bolts come loose. I've never used dielectric grease except on the battery terminals and I've never used fuel additive. In thousands of hours I basically have just never had any problems. In all the manuals for the tractors I've owned, they recommend checking certain bolts after the first 10 hours of use, and that's all I've ever done. I think you are unnecessarily scaring Kioti owners and running off potential Kioti buyers. Something just doesn't sound right, I can't imagine that Kioti's quality control just suddenly took a complete dump. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif If you're trying to get people to think that Kioti tractors are junk, I'm just not buying that.

JerryG · Dec 22, 2005

Bolts coming loose is not a problem exclusive to Kioti. I worked at a Deere dealer years ago and had the same problem of loader bolts coming loose. 
That's right. Any kind of heavy equipment or Ag equipment needs to be checked once in while to make sure that bolts haven't worked lose. There is lot of force transmitted through some of the joints where these bolts are and they can work loose. Once again, loose bolts know no color.

JASTN70D · Dec 22, 2005

I have had the complete opposite fortune as far as loose bolts go, 3 tractors a Skid steer and Backhoe all had the front loader bolts come loose to some degree. A few I Had to fix with some fairly drastic measures.

all the units were new when I owned them. Maybe it is luck or "abuse" I don't know. I do know it is worth checking now and again as the damage can be severe if it gets out of hand. Don't ask how I know that! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

MessickFarmEqu · Dec 22, 2005

guys, he is not talking about bolts working loose - they all do that. What he is saying is that the factory is neglecting to tighen everything and that its very possible that a few could slip though since the mechanics are not used to this being the case.

We saw this with Steiner a few years ago when Jacobson bought them. Our shop was literaly spending an extra 4-6 HOURS on each machine just fixing all the errors the new factory was making.

depratt_equip · Dec 22, 2005

I think he is referring to loader bolts working loose... Loaders are installed here in the states... either by the dealer or by Kioti at the distrubution plant.

( What he is saying is that the factory is neglecting to tighen everything and that its very possible that a few could slip though since the mechanics are not used to this being the case. )

All factory bolts are tight... this is not the case.

VT_Kioti · Dec 22, 2005

I think this is a very timely and appropriate post. Everything we use here in the north east is treated with fuel additive. I treat my fuel bulk tank each fall before fill up and keep the tractor, truck and auto tanks full so they can't build condensation. All 55 of the fleet vehicles are treated with additive. Diesel highway fuel (with road tax) here in the northeast is supposed to be treated against gelling but that won't stop condensation. And it doesn’t take much condensation to stop you. If the fuel comes bulk from a home heating supplier (no road tax, it should be cut with 40% kerosene), It may not have been treated. Treat it to be on the safe side.
In the many years I've operated heavy equipment and tractors I have found that fasteners have a habit of loosing. Some will, others will not. But checking them is wise and can avoid costly damage in the future. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I see nothing in Wallace’s post to indicate he is trying to scare Kioti owners or the owners of any other make of tractors. Quite the contrary. Just offered good advice.

Al

Dargo · Dec 22, 2005

Now that I think about it, the nut holding the wheel causes some problems at times. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BigAl · Dec 22, 2005

Good Advice !
I "pre op" my equipment every time I get on it . I even thought I was about "as good as it gets" at checking my equipment /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif. Imagine my surprize ,when backing up I happened to look forward and one half of my bucket was being dragged on the ground /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif! The 5/16" gold retaining pins bolts had backed out and released the pins on one side . It had bent the linkage bracket over pretty good . It took me 2 hours to straighten it and get everything right again /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif.Every one of them were loose when I checked them !!!!!!! All of it had been checked 3 hours earlier when I had started moving dirt that morning . But worst than that , I get a call from my new nieghbor who wants to come see my tractor as he was thinking of also buying one . I had just finished cutting a pad for my other nieghbor and shut down for the day . New nieghbor comes over and likes tractor ,but wants to know why 2 lug bolts are missing on front drivers side wheel /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif?????Talk about feeling stupid !!!!! 100 hours and never had they backed off before !!! You just never know .
BigAl

JASTN70D · Dec 22, 2005

So are you saying the nut holding the wheel has a loose screw??? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I resemble that remark!

cag · Dec 22, 2005

I use dielectric grease in all my plug-in, being on the road with the tractor or truck (fisher plow) the grease gives good protection against roads salt corrosions, and frankly I wouldn't leave home without it ... cag

DK35vince · Dec 22, 2005

( Imagine my surprize ,when backing up I happened to look forward and one half of my bucket was being dragged on the ground /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif! The 5/16" gold retaining pins bolts had backed out and released the pins on one side . It had bent the linkage bracket over pretty good . )

Al,
I have read similar reports of this happening before.
I have never had these bolts come loose, but after reading posts on the issue I locktighted all the loader pin bolts on my 1450 loader.

To20Chris · Dec 22, 2005

I guess it would be a good idea to check 'em again, but I've had none work loose yet. However I am constantly losing cotter pins on the back, especially the big ones on the drawbar that hang under.

wallace · Dec 22, 2005

( . I think you are unnecessarily scaring Kioti owners and running off potential Kioti buyers. Something just doesn't sound right, I can't imagine that Kioti's quality control just suddenly took a complete dump. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif If you're trying to get people to think that Kioti tractors are junk, I'm just not buying that. )

Yes Dargo that is what I am trying to do scare off my lively hood,
In case you did niot realize I am a Kioti dealer and it would not make any sense to suggest that of what you have said.

I posted in the Kioti forum because I help alot of user out here, However I did not say anything about Kioti in my post,
I am not trying to be rude, I am just trying to be helpfull.
I don't understan how something so helpfull can get blown so far out.

I have worked on almost all of the major brands and they all have bolts come loose.
Ever go to a tire place with you car or truck and have new tires put on, Read the bottom of you receipt it will say it is the owners responsibility to check the lug nuts after so many miles...

TOMLESCOEQUIP · Dec 22, 2005

it will say it is the owners responsibility to check the lug nuts after so many miles...
 Is it not the dealer's responsibility to provide a a safe useable product to the consumer ? If something is not right with my tractor after the dealer works on it is it my fault/responsibility that it fails or falls apart in some way ? There are one heck of alot of people who own tractors who aren't mechanics who rely on the dealer to provide them with a safe dependable machine to perform up to their demands. If their are quality issues with kioti (or ant other brand for that matter) why do you in good conscience continue to sell them if you know there are issues ? At least my dealer will take the initiative to make sure he provides a safe, dependable machine for the $$ spent.

ToadHill · Dec 22, 2005

I can't figure out why the bolts on my loader are loose and yet when it was time for my 50 hour service I had to use a plumbers chain wrench and a 3 foot bar to get the hydralic filter off.