Kioti Tractor DK40 Not charging battery

[bullebak]

Hi guys,

Do I just buy a new alternator, or should I first look elsewhere?

Initially I thought I resolved the issue by cleaning the plug connections adjacent to the alternator, but the issue raised it's head again today. Plenty of power on the alternator terminal, looks like the built-in regulator stuffed.

When spraying weeds everything stopped. Battery exhausted. Drove the car up and jump-started the tractor so could drive it back to base. By that time the battery voltage read less than 4V, disconnected it and put on manual charge. Tractor definitely not charging.

Battery is new.

 

[mpham]

Basics first. Is the belt tight? Are all the wires clean and tight? Not sure if yours has an internal regulator, look on the dash under the hood. You can remove it and have it tested at most auto part stores.

 

[Looking4new]

Is the belt tight? 1/2" deflection in the middle?

 

[bullebak]

Yes, belt is correct tension, adjusted it recently. 1/2" deflection in the middle, a bit more if you push hard. Wires ok. Tractor used to be in the weather for the first few years, but now it has a comfortable home (new big shed with concrete floor), ideal for maintenance work.

The regulator is internal.

Will check with the service agent if they can test it.

 

[Looking4new]

Did you measure the juice getting into the battery? Even 'new' batteries can be bad.

 

[bullebak]

Battery was tested to be good by the retailer, only a few months old.

When the battery was charging, voltage read around 13-14V with engine running. Today not charging, voltage less than 12V with engine running (at time of normal operation of spray pump).

Same issue with another battery.

During spraying I keep the engine running (keep battery charged), worked fine for years.

 

[Looking4new]

Kinda looks like the alternator is going to get blamed, unless you've got an external regulator.

 

[mpham]

Sounds like bad alternator then. Unless it is something with the known goofy key switch. You did say it was left outside for a while. Not likely though.

 

[bullebak]

I replaced the ignition switch a while ago, because it became intermittent and no contact spray helped long-term. But the new switch doesn't go back from it's start position by itself.

I've had a number of problems with this tractor. Biggest one is that the front-wheel assist failed TWICE, and those repairs costed plenty.

 

[holeycow]

what were the front end problems? Just curious, as I own a larger Kioti and one day I will probably buy a smaller one. I like those little DK's.

 

[bullebak]

what were the front end problems? Just curious, as I own a larger Kioti and one day I will probably buy a smaller one. I like those little DK's.

The gears in the front end disintegrated. First time had it repaired at a cost of around AUD3000. Internal gears just cracked up. Happened when backing out uphill with a load of soil.

Second time not clear about the circumstances but what is clear is that the design is not good enough.

As an aside, the fuel tank holds 40l, and that means if you use 20l jerrycans, you can never fill it up properly without leaving half a can empty and then usually spill fuel. It's a hassle lifting the cans up to the top of the tractor. So I just fill with one jerrycan.

Get a 45l capacity tractor, at least.

 

[CHRIS101]

I have a 1914 Kioti tractor ,I replaced the starter, the alternator, and the battery. It still will not charge. When I put the battery in it's at 12.6 v and when it's running it's still at 12.6v at the battery. Is there a way to test the alternator (I tried testing it with my volt. meter in the two wires coming from it and it's not reading anything. It's new. Help Chris

 

[AWSubie]

Watch this video on YouTube as a quick refresher on how to test: test alternator voltage - Google Search

Make sure when testing, your engine RPM is up around 2000 rpm, most alternators don't kick in until around 1200 rpm.

Also once you have verified that your mulit-meter is set and connected correctly; if you still read only battery voltage, check for a blown fuse either inline on at the fusebox.