My first summer with Kioti (So far not good)

[CBW1999]

Good point... But I've read a lot of posts now complaining about customer service, etc.

The measure of a company is how they treat their customers when they are in need. By the sounds of it Kioti's first step should be removing "Connie" from the phone!

Agreed. Not saying she is a bad person but, if her level of tolerance for dealing with all of this has lowered and she (or any person in similar example) now displays poor communication skills.....time to go-

Quoting Jeff Dunhams character "Walter" (as a greeter for WalMart) "Welcome to WalMart.....get your S*** and get out!"

 

[PapaPerk]

Quoting Jeff Dunhams character "Walter" (as a greeter for WalMart) "Welcome to WalMart.....get your S*** and get out!"

LOL!!! :rotfl:

 

[kiotiken]

There are also some very nice colors that are not Green or Orange. He could get a White kioti, which comes with a bobcat on the machine, instead of a pitbull on the phone in CR.
Just a thought.

You're absolutely right, but I guarantee he's that doesn't matter and he'll visit only the JD and Kubota dealers in his area and buy one of them if anything at all.

Whenever people feel the need to go directly to a manufacturer with issues, it means that there is a problem at the dealer level.

I totally disagree, there are issues like the jerky 3pt hitch on Kubota standard L series tractors that are extremely well documented yet the dealers and Kubota refuse to acknowledge and much less address. It took those owners a lot of time and persistence to finally get some positive results. The dealers hands can also be tied by the manufactures. Even though they'd like to do more, they have to get paid just like you and I.

Sorry to hear about your tractor troubles. Hope they make it right for you. They are beginning to get a bad name on TBN. :grumpy:

How so? They're making this right. Look up some of my issues, I had multiple issues with my brand new tractor. Not only did they resolve them all (with time) I actually traded up for another Kioti. There are issues with every color and lots of people vent on TBN, but I don't see Kioti being any worse than any other color, much better from my experience.

Although not a fan of Kioti, it is too bad but- should be kept in perspective. Anything produced in mass quantity is subject to some percentage of the "bad apple" showing up. There will always be something, somewhere that shows up in one or a couple of units because a substandard part or whatever get in the mix. It may never be discovered because it is an anomaly.

Exactly. The only unfortunate thing in this case is the number of fixes they've tried and the amount of time it's been in the shop. Again, all brands are the same, TripleR talks about his JD that's been in the shop for months. I never heard the end of it, but there was no end in sight at the time.

Let's also keep in mind this was a small leak that didn't stop the tractor from being used (except for the long time it was at the dealer). Also, all the time in the shop was for the same issue. It's not like multiple parts were failing and it was a lemon. IMHO, it's reasonable to try and change seals/gaskets when you have a leak, it's far more likely the cause of the issue then a bad casting. It sucks that it's taken so long, but in the end, he'll be well taken care of and it will be a great tractor for years to come.

As for the Connie issue, she is probably doing what she needs to do. If she's rude, that's not excusable, but several of us have been able to get by her, so it is possible.

 

[Dingo Man]

Hydro pump arrived Friday, should be hooked up and finished this week. My fingers are crossed. I have still not heard back directly from Kioti but I am not surprised. I am still trying to work with my dealer as far as getting something extra for having to put up with this. Not holding my breath.

CM Your post was dead on and I appreciate it. I honestly had no expectation in getting a new tractor I was just trying to make my voice heard more than anything.

I have noticed a few post here by folks reading my issues and deciding against Kioti. I encourage people to be open minded. Though I have nothing to compare it to, I assume other manufacturers are as equally annoying to deal with. And again, my problem with my hydro pump is a rare thing and not common place for these tractors. Am I ticked off? Yes, but I still think Kioti is worth a look for those of you out there looking. I will keep you all updated.

 

[Coyote machine]

Hydro pump arrived Friday, should be hooked up and finished this week. My fingers are crossed. I have still not heard back directly from Kioti but I am not surprised. I am still trying to work with my dealer as far as getting something extra for having to put up with this. Not holding my breath.

CM Your post was dead on and I appreciate it. I honestly had no expectation in getting a new tractor I was just trying to make my voice heard more than anything.

I have noticed a few post here by folks reading my issues and deciding against Kioti. I encourage people to be open minded. Though I have nothing to compare it to, I assume other manufacturers are as equally annoying to deal with. And again, my problem with my hydro pump is a rare thing and not common place for these tractors. Am I ticked off? Yes, but I still think Kioti is worth a look for those of you out there looking. I will keep you all updated.

Dingo Man,

You're welcome, and thanks for saying so. (BTW, I wasn't saying you were expecting a new tractor, in particular, I was mostly looking to quash offtrack rants about things that will never come about). I just like people to be realistic about what to expect in today's world of corporate culture. Dealer's hands are often tied by all kinds of top down corporate policy we're not privy to. I am certain your issue will be resolved by your dealer, as I was certain if Kioti Ken traded up to the DK-40 series tractor from his prior under capacity model his problems would fade into the distance. Without speaking for him, I'd venture a guess they did, and he is now a happy Kioti customer, mostly due to his dealer's efforts and us on TBN kickin' his butt to keep him a Kioti customer thumbsup.

I plan to follow this thread to see what the eventual resolution is; and for what its worth I want to add that IF Kioti or any similar company was handing out tractors to customers with one or more significant problems while under warranty we'd ALL loose because they'd be going out of business faster than GM almost did.

The great thing about TBN, at least to me is this; we can put our collective brains together to solve problems on small and large issues. Collectively we can overcome obstacles like NON-customer service and find work-arounds and solutions that as individuals we might not be able to accomplish. And Kioti Corporate doesn't have to like it or participate for us to win small and large battles for ourselves.
Go TBN! Power to the tractor owners!

 

[Dadof3]

It certainly isn't scientific but I can't help but to think there is a trend on TBN. Kioti probably sells one twentieth the tractors of JD and Kubota. After following the forum for months there seems to be as many, if not more threads about Kioti problems than the two larger companies combined. Don't get me wrong I'm not anti-Kioti....I live near their headquarters and have considered a dealership. I love a value oriented product.

 

[murphy1244]

It certainly isn't scientific but I can't help but to think there is a trend on TBN. Kioti probably sells one twentieth the tractors of JD and Kubota. After following the forum for months there seems to be as many, if not more threads about Kioti problems than the two larger companies combined. Don't get me wrong I'm not anti-Kioti....I live near their headquarters and have considered a dealership. I love a value oriented product.

Where do you get these stats?? You need to read the board more.

 

[Alan L.]

With that many hours and that amount of trouble you should get a new tractor. Not good customer service at all in my opinion. You shouldn't have to be a tester of their product. Give you a new tractor and find out what is wrong with the lemon and make sure it gets fixed for the future customers.

 

[Coyote machine]

With that many hours and that amount of trouble you should get a new tractor. Not good customer service at all in my opinion. You shouldn't have to be a tester of their product. Give you a new tractor and find out what is wrong with the lemon and make sure it gets fixed for the future customers.

Really?! Point out ANY tractor company that gives out replacement tractors as a result of one problem and I'll buy one for my next tractor.
If it was even a possibility then it would be stated in the written warranty- one problem and you will receive a brand new tractor no questions asked....:cloud9:

 

[IndyIan]

It certainly isn't scientific but I can't help but to think there is a trend on TBN. Kioti probably sells one twentieth the tractors of JD and Kubota. After following the forum for months there seems to be as many, if not more threads about Kioti problems than the two larger companies combined. Don't get me wrong I'm not anti-Kioti....I live near their headquarters and have considered a dealership. I love a value oriented product.

I think though that far greater percentage of Kioti owners are online than Kubota or JD owners. I suspect many many small tractor buyers aren't doing a whole lot of research and going with JD or Kubota is a safe choice. Good resale, parts availability etc... Kioti tends to win on paper if you assume reasonable reliability and want the most features and capability for your money, but you have to do some digging to find out about Kioti.

 

[kiotiken]

I think though that far greater percentage of Kioti owners are online than Kubota or JD owners. I suspect many many small tractor buyers aren't doing a whole lot of research and going with JD or Kubota is a safe choice. Good resale, parts availability etc... Kioti tends to win on paper if you assume reasonable reliability and want the most features and capability for your money, but you have to do some digging to find out about Kioti.

I'd agree with that 100%. When you do your research, it's hard to spend more on less tractor, only for a name. Kioti is just more tractor all around for the same $. Any tractor related search brings something up from TBN, so it's reasonable to think that a lot of people who buy Kioti's have at least visited this site.

 

[Jesse masterson]

All I cam speak about is my own experience , I am totally convinced kioti is a quality product.my opinion dosent change because I hear a few bad stories, things can go wrong with all products, and speaking for myself an my 08 dk 45 it hadn't had 1 leak or 1 loose bolt. The product continues to amaze me that a small tractor can do so much.I feel bad for those that have had problems but I haven't experienced any

 

[kco]

All I cam speak about is my own experience , I am totally convinced kioti is a quality product.my opinion dosent change because I hear a few bad stories, things can go wrong with all products, and speaking for myself an my 08 dk 45 it hadn't had 1 leak or 1 loose bolt. The product continues to amaze me that a small tractor can do so much.I feel bad for those that have had problems but I haven't experienced any

Same here. My 2011 DK35SE HST just turned over 360 hrs and it has been flawless. I did find a few slightly loose loader bolts and wheel bolts at the recommended check intervals. As suggested by my dealer, blue Loctite seems to have solved the loader bolts' movement. The wheel bolts have not moved since the first couple of checks, so perhaps it was simply a "settling in" of the bolts and rims.

That said, I can see how the OP's experience with a serious problem on a new tractor and lack lustre dealer support would result in a different opinion.

 

[Dingo Man]

Here we go. I got her back Saturday morning with a brand new hydro pump in it under warranty. I immediately checked the belly and it was dry. I worked it for about a half hour with some loader work, crawled underneath and it was actually still dry :thumbsup:. Since then I have not had the time to spend any seat time on it to really confirm if it is fixed for good, but I am off to a good start.

One ray of hope I got from this whole mess was the loaner tractor my dealer let me use for the last month. This was a DK45 shuttle (unknown year). This beast had over 1600hrs on it and was used in a small wood harvesting operation by the origninal owner. He preformed all the maintenance at home and to my dealer's knowledge the tractor had never been back to them for any issues. The owner recently traded the tractor in for a new one. I thought this was impressive. I just wanted to add that since I know I caused some tractor shoppers to doubt this brand.

 

[CBW1999]

Sounds Awesome!

Sounds like you'll be able to get some quality seat time without worrying as much.

 

[MotorSeven]

Dm I hope your future is leak free:laughing:

Now go get some seat time!

 

[TripleR]

Exactly. The only unfortunate thing in this case is the number of fixes they've tried and the amount of time it's been in the shop. Again, all brands are the same, TripleR talks about his JD that's been in the shop for months. I never heard the end of it, but there was no end in sight at the time.

Just browsing and saw this, John Deere put a new short block in which took about two months, fortunately we were able to transport the BX2660 the four miles between farms to keep both yards mowed, LOTS of mowing. My wife recently used it, my grandson and daughter in law are the regular operators and it over heated again. Screens need to be removed and everything blown out about every two hours to use.

I still like John Deere, but have been informed DO NOT even think about buying another green tractor.:laughing:

I am not bashing JD, just reporting our experience and still recommend prospective buyers look at them all.

I don't normally come on the Kioti forum, but my brother just bought a CK27 to supplement his other equipment. He started out as a tractor mechanic then cars etc. and now industrial stuff, he is the person I consult on all things mechanical, so if he like them...

 

[kiotiken]

Just browsing and saw this, John Deere put a new short block in which took about two months, fortunately we were able to transport the BX2660 the four miles between farms to keep both yards mowed, LOTS of mowing. My wife recently used it, my grandson and daughter in law are the regular operators and it over heated again. Screens need to be removed and everything blown out about every two hours to use.

I still like John Deere, but have been informed DO NOT even think about buying another green tractor.:laughing:

I am not bashing JD, just reporting our experience and still recommend prospective buyers look at them all.

I don't normally come on the Kioti forum, but my brother just bought a CK27 to supplement his other equipment. He started out as a tractor mechanic then cars etc. and now industrial stuff, he is the person I consult on all things mechanical, so if he like them...

Thanks for finishing the story, I'm sorry it isn't a great ending. Your brother sounds like a wise man, we'd welcome you to the pack anytime, you don't even have to change colors!

DM, sounds like your dealer is working for you and doing his best. I hope this is the end of your troubles and it probably will be.

 

[cdaigle430]

Had my new MF in the shop 40% of the time so I feel your pain. At least your dealership is sticking with this until its resolved-if anything thats a huge plus. My dealership didnt listen to me and I had to go over their head to get mine resolved.

Since put 70hrs on it and I'm very happy now.