Issues with new DK35 and dealer

[bullebak]

I received my tractor (DK35) with front end loader (AL35) a few months ago and here are some comments on both product and dealer. As this is my first tractor ever, allowances might be made for some ignorance on my part.

• Loader pivot pins were never greased prior to delivery, nor did the dealer mention anything on or after delivery. I only realized that after a bucket pivot pin fell out (at about 50 hours) due to the bolt dropping out first. Pivot pins were absolutely dry within.
  
• ROPS was incorrectly fitted so that it could not be folded down.
  
• Sun roof was supplied completely (but incorrectly) assembled, and subsequently incorrectly fitted by myself to the ROPS. No fitting instructions came with it. Sent a close-up picture to the dealer and distributor who replied they could not see anything wrong with it (see picture below). Wallace has been kind enough to provide me with a diagram how it should be fitted.
  
• Rear wheels have about 1/8 inch space between kleat and fender. Sometimes dirt flies out at high speed due to it being compressed between the narrowing opening between tire and fender, as the wheel turns. Should I inadvertedly grab the fender, my fingers will be mauled off. Perhaps the wheels are too large?
  
• When lifting soil the rear easily lifts up causing me a few scares in the beginning. Before purchase, I showed the dealer the work I would be using it for, but advised me I doesn't need rear weights. However, I use a posthole digger as counter weight but apparently is not sufficient.
  
• One front tire was found flat a few weeks after purchase and after virtually no useage, caused by incorrect fitting of the inner tube (it was creased and folded).
  
• Cannot buy any grease cartridge for the size grease gun supplied. Will need to buy another grease gun.
  
• Was told that for the 50 hour service I would be charged only for parts (the word "consumables" was not used) but because the filters were already supplied it would not cost me anything. After the 50 hour service I received a bill for consumables (oils) of $AU230.00.
  
• When asked to explain about the draft control lever, salesman told me "not to worry about that as it would get me into trouble." Guess he did not understand the thing himself.
  
• Coolant level was so low the warning light came on soon after delivery.
  
• Clips fall off too easily and have lost several pins as a result.
  
• Various parts were not supplied in order to make implements work (also supplied by the same dealer at the same time).

From posts here it looks like most guys had a better start in "tractor life"! It now has done over 100 hours, just wondering what else might come my way... Sure looks like this dealer doesn't know his product but also has an attitude problem (eg. not responding to a request from the distributor to contact me and look at those tires).

 

[ccdck20hst]

A few thoughts. You probably know all this stuff. Those tires do not seem to belong on your tractor. Look like the wrong size. Perhaps in your local those tires are the norm but the tread design looks unusual to me (here in Connecticut, USA). The tires are too big or the fenders are too low. If you do not have one get a Workshop Manual for your tractor from Kioti - handy for reference. Might even give you standard tire sizes to check the tire sizes on your unit. The Workshop Manual for my CK20 HST TLB is good but not great but still better than the owner's manuals for the tractor, fel and backhoe, becasue it gives more detail and tips. (Every time I read the owner's manual(s) seems like I find something new I should have known but that did not register in my brain.) Put your tractor in bright light some day and spend some time looking for all those grease fittings and get a decent grease gun and give all the fittings a shot of proper grease. If you care to draw pictures or take photos of those hard to find grease fittings so you can find them again quickly. The pictures in the various manuals are hard to follow. Do you have a front end loader and if you do do you have a device to tell from the seat that the bucket is level - it is darn handy mounts on the loader mine cost me about $85 from my Kioti dealer. Check the "lugs" on all your wheels to make sure each one is properly torqued - some say the lugs can loosen up over time with a new tractor. Loader "bolts" can lossen up too over time. If rust is a problem, or potentially a problem, you might consider coating the lower part of the tractor, and even your wheel rims with Fluid Film to stop rust. Fluid film has a little odor but works real good. Some dealers miss some pretty important stuff I guess - with a new tractor nothing should be missed by the dealer IMHO. Above all have fun using that tractor!

 

[DK35vince]

Most of your issues sound like dealer prep problems to me more than anything else.

A tractor that uses a front loader needs rear ballast to keep the tractor stable while lifting. No idea why the dealer would tell you any differant.
I loaded my rear tires with fluid, plus always use an implement on the 3 point for rear ballast for any loader work..

Tires.. Are those the correct tires? Those are very close to the fenders. I have a lot of room between the tires and fenders on my DK 35 w/R-4's.
As far as inner tubes.. All my tires that came with my machine are tubeless..

 

[bullebak]

I have edited my posting and included a picture of the whole tractor. The wheel of vince's DK35 do look quite different. Yes, since recently I check bolts and wheels before use. Do intend to get a workshop manual (always got one for my cars).

Rust is not a problem around here (dry) but some winters can be wet for weeks. Still have to build a shed for this machine (it's in the bush).

I am gathering as much info as possible and then will drop the bomb on the dealer as well as the distributor/importer.

I think I will politely be demanding other wheels. Otherwise I do enjoy the machine.

 

[bearhawk]

All the Kioti's I've seen have orange wheels.

If those are the wrong size, you may have trouble with the 4wd.

See if you can find another local tractor to compare with.

Good luck.

 

[Agro-oti]

Not sure if the orange wheels are only on Kioti or only for North America. All the Daedongs I've seen pictures of have white wheels. I like the original green color and white wheels the best myself.

 

[RandyT]

From the size on the tire that is probable they right size tire at least for the american version but I think those are the tires designed for rice patties.

 

[rback33]

This is an Australian member and tractor. These are definitely dealer issues though. Where is the loader built at?

 

[bullebak]

Loader appears to be made by Ansung of South Korea (according to the Operator's Manual).

Next time I am in the vicinity of the distributor I will drop in to have a look at another DK35 tractor (hopefully they have one assembled). They are about 100km from here near Melbourne (Australia). The tractor is branded Daedong (made by Kioti). One might wonder if someone had a bunch of spare wheels and decided to save money and try it on a newbee...

I also enquired about different tires before purchase (Agricultural, Industrial, Turf), but the salesman told me only the Agricultural tires are available. Don't really need those enormous kleats damaging everything it drives over.

You guys must be cold out there...

 

[Gator6x4]

The Kioti web page for a DK35 is below. The tires are smaller and the wheels are Orange. Click on specifications and it lists the correct tires for the unit. I think I would be discussing this issue with the area rep, or contacting Kioti directly.

KIOTI HOMEPAGE