Testdrive : DK55 high range engine lacking power?

NorthernChilli · Apr 1, 2011

I went to test drive a DK55 yesterday. I was impressed by many bells and whistles that are standard on the DK 55 (auto-lev loader, 12/12 trans with a creeper slow low-1 speed without having to pay for a creeper box, cat 2/1 3pH, full equip cab with radio, short turning radius)

But... While trying it in high gear on paved road, I found it very hard to shift from high 2 to high 3. For that to succeed, I had to be at full speed in H2 and switch as fast as possible in H3. Failure to do so and fast enough would result in the engine not able to catch up and slowly reving down because of a lack of power, ultimately to choke and die.

On that test drive, shifting from H3 to H4 successfully was impossible for me even being at full speed 2800RPM and shifting as fast as possible... Guess it has to do with the turbo not catching up for the required effort. And that is without anything in the loader and without the loaded tires...

So, what's your take on this. Am I just a very crappy shifter or is it an issue with the DK55 ?

Thanks Phil

Kiotikarl · Apr 4, 2011

I have road tested a DK55 in 2009, and had trouble shifting the gears through the gears. The saleman told me it was because the machine was new, not broken in

Anyways i decided to purchase a Dk45SE with the cab. When i purchased my CK30 2010 with the 8x8, you could hear the gears grind a little while shifting or shuttling. Again i was told the machine was new and stiff. Well he was right, after 30-40hr smooth and easy shifting and shuttle.:thumbsup:

Hoosier Hay Man · Apr 4, 2011

That seems odd. I have a DK45S Cab and shifts very easy. One of the easiest shifting tractors I have owned. That includes a Deere Quad Range and a IH T/A power shift. I just clutch and shift. I have never noticed a loss of power either. I have went highway with a NH 315 baler in tow and pulled fulll loads of hay it was fine. This may be a dumb question but maybe the brakes were set?

hayraiser · Apr 4, 2011

I have a DK50c 894 hours and I notice some engine lag when going from high 3 to high 4. I do not have as much of an issue with it now have not had it long though bought it this year and have put 60 hours on it myself. I think the dealer is part right about the engine and I think maybe the other is operator, only because it took me a little getting use too shifting mine. I have operated quite a few different tractors but the kioti took a little time getting use too. Very happy with my tractor though. Hope this helps also if you are still consedering buying it test drive it again for a while let it get good and warmed up and spend some time getting use to it.. Good Luck

NorthernChilli · Apr 5, 2011

Well, the action of shifting is easy, it's the engine behaviour after having shifted that I dont like. Reving at 2600+ RPM in H3 then shifting, and upon releasing the clutch, the RPM falls to about 1000 and slowly decrease without any way of getting it to catch up and accelerate. The same kind of behaviour a car would do shifting directly from 1st to 5th speed (and even then, I tried it on my car and the engine was still able to catch up and accelerate in 5th)

Pretty sure the brake was not on, on a new unit, it would have been obvious while taxiiing at low RPM

Phil

Kiotikarl · Apr 5, 2011

Hoosier Hay Man said:
That seems odd. I have a DK45S Cab and shifts very easy. One of the easiest shifting tractors I have owned. That includes a Deere Quad Range and a IH T/A power shift. I just clutch and shift. I have never noticed a loss of power either. I have went highway with a NH 315 baler in tow and pulled fulll loads of hay it was fine. This may be a dumb question but maybe the brakes were set?

I agree with you the DK45S really shifts like a dream

I really like the feel and emplacement of the shuttle and shifter, wonder why Kioti doesn't make them anymore

I'm looking to upgrade my standard CK30, but i don't really know with what, guess i'll be road testeing tractors again.:laughing:

Kiotikarl · Apr 5, 2011

NorthernChilli said:
Well, the action of shifting is easy, it's the engine behaviour after having shifted that I dont like. Reving at 2600+ RPM in H3 then shifting, and upon releasing the clutch, the RPM falls to about 1000 and slowly decrease without any way of getting it to catch up and accelerate. The same kind of behaviour a car would do shifting directly from 1st to 5th speed (and even then, I tried it on my car and the engine was still able to catch up and accelerate in 5th)

Pretty sure the brake was not on, on a new unit, it would have been obvious while taxiiing at low RPM

Phil

Something doesn't sound right with your unit:confused2: The DK55 my father and i road tested, we found ,1 the gears grinding occasionally when shifting(unit not broken in), 2 the tractor needed a super high range, we did shift all the way to H4 and though we were in mid-range. 3 The saleman indicated to us that for our use this wasn't the tractor we needed. Good luck

MichiganIron · Apr 5, 2011

We have a DK55 Demo unit that gets road driven fairly often. What you described is somewhat common until the tractor warms up to operating temperature and the turbo starts to respond properly. Once the tractor is warm, it easily catches up shifting in high range at about 2200 - 2400 rpm. It needs the engine speed for the turbo/fuel mixture to be right.

We have done a lot of field work with the DK55 and have found it to have good power in the field in high range. Pulls a 10' gang disc in H2 easily. We even ran a 9' discbine with it. Probably not something we would do on a regular basis, but the tractor ran it.

The trick with the DK55 is to let the tractor use the turbo properly. Makes a big difference.

NorthernChilli · Apr 5, 2011

I just noticed something. Where is the air pre-cleaner bowl gone on the 55. It is shown on the kioti website, but the picture of the cabbed tractor in the brochure doesn't have it and I don't remember seeing it on the one I testdrove.

Phil

bellcon · Apr 10, 2011

I've got an 08' dk55 and I drive it quite a bit on the road in between the driveways I snowblow and I don't have any problem in high range and I usually run about 2000rpm's. I always throttle down when I shift like you would in a truck, not sure if you're supposed to but it seems like it would be easier on the clutch. I usually have the hand throttle set at about 1500rpm's and use the foot throttle to override that after I shift. I live in central New Hampshire and there are very few hills I can't pull in 4H. And the shifting did get smoother with use.
Scott