My first summer with Kioti (So far not good)

Dingo Man · Aug 7, 2012

Hello all,
I've not posted for a while but that does not mean I do not have any tractor news. Real quick, I bought my DK40 in April. At the present I have 63hrs on it. Before I go any further I want to state I am not bashing Kioti (yet). I just want to know if anyone else has had issues dealing with headquarters.

So I have 63hrs. My tractor has been at the shop 30% of the time since April. It has been split twice and is scheduled to be split a third time next week. The problem has been a chronic internal hydro leak. I posted a picture in an earlier thread and no one here had ever seen or heard of this type of leak so I knew I had an uncommon problem since the tractor savy folks here had no idea of the issue. The first split entailed my dealer at the guidance of Kioti replacing several O-rings on several lines running in and out of the hydro pump. Got the tractor back and 20min of mowing, yep still leaking. The second split my dealer purchased a telescopic camera. They snaked the camera up into the hydro pump area and actually observed the leak which did not appear until after they them selves worked the tractor for 30min. At that time they split the tractor and at Kioti's directions replaced all lines and o-rings leading to and exiting the hydro pump. They put it back together mowed with it for an hour and told me the leak was fixed. I got it back home and after about 20min of loader work I got off and checked the belly and, YEP all wet again.

At this time I spoke with my dealer and advised them this leak has been there since day one and Kioti needs to come up with a real solution or a new tractor. Two days later my dealer called and told me they were still waiting for a call back from Kioti. They gave me the GO KIOTI phone number and asked if I would call stating a call from the customer can sometimes help.

So I called and got some women who down played my entire situation. I asked for a service rep and she advised me they only speak with dealers not customers. She then inquired if my problems were a result of misuse. At that time I chose to end my call before I said something stupid. I told my dealer about the phone call. I was very surprised at my first contact with Kioti because I had heard so many good things here on our site.

Today I heard from my dealer. They advised me they spoke in depth with a new service rep today who thinks he knows what the issue is. He advised them get my tractor back split it again and take certain photos of the hyrdo pump. The service rep stated he had one other tractor with my tractor's symptons last year. He stated it may be an internal seal inside the hydro pump that is intermittedly leaking once up to operating temp. They are planing on replacing the entire hydro pump if they can confirm that is the problem.

This is my only issue so far with my tractor. I do love the machine and have no complaints except for the nagging leak. I understand this is a rare problem that has taken time to figure out so I am patient. This is also a small leak that would require many hours of use before having to replace any lost hydro fluid. But the principle is great since it is a new expensive tractor. My dealer has been great and always offers a loaner. But I was not impressed with the phone call to Kioti. What if something is needed in the future I do not think I can handle talking to their secretary again. Anyone else had issues with Kioti direct?

Disclaimer: Still a big fan but discouraged. Any tractor shoppers reading this to not let my post discourage you from looking at Kioti. My issue is just one of those things that can happen with any tractor. Stay safe and have a great late summer.

madmax12 · Aug 7, 2012

I agree.

Any brand could have a bad part.

Any brand could have a bad secretary.

I really hope this next service fixes the tractor.

I hope kioti gets a new secretary.

ullinghair:

Maybe she could get into plumbing... in a country none of us live in...:confused3:

Soundguy · Aug 7, 2012

this last repair would be my tipping point on a new machine.. otherwise it's tasting like a lemon... i would think...

murphy1244 · Aug 7, 2012

How many hours till the first started leaking? What is your serial #?

Dingo Man · Aug 7, 2012

Murph, the tractor had 20hrs on it when I first noticed the leak. But after finding the leak I looked harder at where I park it (dirt) and noticed a wet spot. So the leak began before the 20hr mark. Serial/VIN on my 2012 DK40 is LT6500085.

murphy1244 · Aug 7, 2012

Dingo Man said:
Murph, the tractor had 20hrs on it when I first noticed the leak. But after finding the leak I looked harder at where I park it (dirt) and noticed a wet spot. So the leak began before the 20hr mark. Serial/VIN on my 2012 DK40 is LT6500085.

I asked for the serial # cause wanted to know year of manufacturer. mine starts with k. I have 28 hours on it and only trouble was I broke off the exhaust pipe.You should get a new machine. I talked to that same? B--t-h.

landedakioti · Aug 7, 2012

When you called did you talk to woman name beginning with a c . We bought a dk40 in june was delivered in july with a gash in the back tire. I drove it two feet when my daughter yelled and told me then i call the dealer got the run around then i called the number in the manual talked to a lady that said the gash could have happen in the driveway that someone came in a slashed it . Then she hung up on me. I called back now pissed they said they would call the dealer. Last week got a email from the dealer they where mailing tires to my house now o waiting for them now . I called to see when they should be here and have heard nothing back. I see how my 4yr warranty will be like.

sodamo · Aug 8, 2012

Seems like someone needs to find out who this lady's bosses are and start working up the line.

David Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

MotorSeven · Aug 8, 2012

sodamo said:
Seems like someone needs to find out who this lady's bosses are and start working up the line.

David Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

Yep, ask for a manager or supervisor right off the get go and complain about how she handled the situation. It sounds to me like she has no business fielding CUSTOMER SERVICE calls.

I let them split it one more time, but after that and the problem re-occurs I would demand a new tractor.

kiotiken · Aug 20, 2012

Well, I've certainly had my fair share of issues with my CK30 HST. Mine was split as well and the hst was replaced. I felt the same way that you do, it's a lot of tractor for the money, if it would only stop breaking. Since I traded to a DK45, I have no more complaints and couldn't be happier.

If this is a pump issue, I'm surprised Kioti is fooling around with pictures and not just telling your dealer to replace the pump. I too ended up calling Kioti directly and getting a woman stating the same thing, they only talk to dealers. I'm such a PITA that I eventually prevailed and got her to transfer me. Eventually, I ended up having email conversations with several Kioti corporate people and no longer have any issues getting the answers I need from them, although I try not to abuse the privilege. This is the route I recommend if you want to be in contact with Kioti directly, once you're in, they're pretty good at getting back to you and really do seem to care about resolving the issue. If you have a hard time getting email addresses or responses, send me a PM, I'll see what I can do.

Push your dealer to replace the pump, it's really no big deal for Kioti compared to splitting a tractor 3 and maybe more times. I don't think I'd ever trust the pump if your dealer tried to fix it anyway. If the dealer won't/can't agree, go directly to Kioti asking them to do it. As maddening as it is, there's no way you'll get a new tractor without pulling your cheque book out again.