new dk55 has sounds from hydraulic pump

[DrRick]

I have a dk55 with the kioti loader and 20 hours on it. I have sounds at times that sound like apower steering pump growl that is starved for fluid. This happens when when I have the loader working and I turn the wheel. I also have heard some fluid sounds that change in sound while the tractor is idling with no functions being used. I am new to these and wonder if this is normal. I have checked the fliud in the rear dipstick and it is OK. I do have considerable experience with equipment, so I have checked the obvious things. I would almost say the pump was starved for fluid from the sounds.
rick

 

[KiotiJohn]

Are you operating the tractor at sufficient RPM when you hear these sounds? I would assume, but I'd probably be better off hearing it from you.

It's not unusual to sometimes hear some front end noises when you have a load in the bucket and turn back and forth, and may be either a lack of grease, or some very tight tolerances that don't allow a lot of grease into certain zerks. Sometimes it can be a function of low air pressure in the tires.

If your pump was starved, you would probably get more difficult turning, and maybe steering wheel chatter as you turned, and probably would have more symptoms that those mentioned.

As for the idling noises, without more or a description, and maybe even with one, it's hard to know what could be happening. What type of "fluid sounds that change sound while the tractor is idling ..." are you hearing? Are you getting squeal? A little more description may help. Also, of course, you're tractor is under warranty, and if you feel there is a problem, have it checked sooner than later as you may avoid a deeper problem if there is one.
John

 

[DrRick]

I feel confident it is not sounds from the linkage or bushing. It is directly under the cab floor, and it sounds like an old ford power steering pump that has been run dry and scored the pump. In that it always has a kind of growl or squeal that changes with load. It is not causing any symptoms of constricted flow that I can tell but I am tempted to change the fluid and filters a little early to make sure the filter is not full of stuff. The sounds at idle are again like a low gurgling or fluid flow sound that I would desribe as sounding like a vacuum leak that had water going into it. I love the tractor, I just am not used to this much noise coming from the hydraulics and was curious if it was normal.

 

[KiotiJohn]

Nope, it's not normal, and I wouldn't operate the tractor until you have it serviced by the dealer to avoid any pump damage.
One thing I would do is to check all of the metal hydro lines and make sure you don't have any that have gotten bent, restricting the flow.
I know that it is not unusual to occasionally have a pump that was not quite right from the beginning, and one like that should be replaced.

Let us know how it turns out after you seek warranty work.
John

 

[wallace]

Make sure you do not have one of your remote levers locked in by accident.

 

[KiotiJohn]

Yeah, we're talking about DK55. Isn't there draft control on it too, and doesn't it have to be set a certain way since it's mixed, that could cause the noise? Since I don't have remotes or draft/mixed, I didn't even think of those.
John

 

[DrRick]

I have the draft control, but I haven't been watching the position of the two while this has occured. I will have the dealer check it out. I did not have any of the detent's engaged as that makes a heck of a noise when the overload valve kicks, and I recognize that. I did have to tighten the belt to the air conditioner as it was slipping when the clutch engaged. New belt stretch I think.
Is the hydraulic pump on this machine internal, or external? I assume it is one pump for both power steering and loader functions. I noticed in the specs the two flow volumes are seperated, so much for steering, and so much for hydaulics. I will need to get a full service book on this. I use them for bedtime reading. I read the 450C crawler service 3 times before I rebuilt my dozer. I am weird I guess.
thank you all for the help and replies
rick roberts

 

[jeffva]

I've got a dk55c myself and bought it last summer. I can tell you mine is making noise, kind of like my power steering pump in my ford truck. It has been doing it all along, so I thought it was the way it was. I did the 50hr service and nothing really changed there. I noticed a few filings on the magnet, but all looked well.

Let me know what your dealer thinks. I'll give mine a buzz as well.

 

[250quality]

I had the same problem with my 55 last year. Asked my dealer and he said there was a recall on the pump and there were 4 others in line ahead of me.
My warranty was up and thet fixed it anyway. Reminded me of the old Ford Granada with low power steering fluid.