Uh Oh, potential problem already on my CK20S at 17.5 hrs

ritcheyvs · Apr 14, 2012

This is a gear transmission (not hydro), right? If so, all hydraulic fluid comes from the one big reservoir.

TSO · Apr 14, 2012

ritcheyvs said:
This is a gear transmission (not hydro), right? If so, all hydraulic fluid comes from the one big reservoir.

Neg, it's a hydro

VictorW · Apr 14, 2012

Even though it's a hydro, the steering fluid, (hydro fluid) still comes from the main sump that runs the hst, fel, and any other hyd part. It's one fluid does all. I looked at the parts diagram with your explanation and I'm not sure where the leak is but you are probably right in that there is a pinched gasket or seal. Many times, they use rubber o-rings that sit in a slight machined recess or groove of one part and then are compressed against the mating flat surface of the attaching part. If the o-ring moved during assembly, then it leaks.

DirtHauler · Apr 15, 2012

TSO said:
OK, took some of the panels off today and found that the bottom of the steering column is where it looks to be coming from. There are 5 or so bolts there, holding on a type of cap, with maybe a gasket in there as well. The bolts are difficult to get gripped onto, but they all seem tight. My guess now is that they must have overtightened the bolts and pinched the gasket, or, maybe stripped something out... either way, it's difficult to pin point exactly where the leak is coming from.

Where is the reservoir for filling that fluid? Does it have it's own spot for PS fluid, out does it use the hydraulic oil?

Clean up the area real good, than start your tractor, turn the steering wheel lock to lock (left/right) and look to see where the leak is coming from, it maybe just a loose hose connection and running around the outside of the steering gear "box".

Gary Fowler · Apr 16, 2012

If it is just a drip, I would not be concerned to get it fixed right away if I had a need for the tractor. Might just wait and take it in for the 50 hour service and let them take care of all of it for you. With HST you probably got 20 gallons of oil and a slight drip will take a long time to even use up a quart, but keep your fluids checked to make sure they arent below normal operation lines. Most HST require fluid change at 50 hours so a little loss is not a big deal.

CJONE · Apr 16, 2012

Gary Fowler said:
If it is just a drip, I would not be concerned to get it fixed right away if I had a need for the tractor. Might just wait and take it in for the 50 hour service and let them take care of all of it for you. With HST you probably got 20 gallons of oil and a slight drip will take a long time to even use up a quart, but keep your fluids checked to make sure they arent below normal operation lines. Most HST require fluid change at 50 hours so a little loss is not a big deal.

Good advise, as long as everything is operating correctly and it is not a loose fitting I'd run it to the 50 and have the dealer fix it. CJ

kiotiken · Apr 16, 2012

CJONE said:
Good advise, as long as everything is operating correctly and it is not a loose fitting I'd run it to the 50 and have the dealer fix it. CJ

Ya, I've got a little drip that's been going on since December. I've left it alone because I didn't want to transport it over salty winter roads. Mine is a gasket and will mean removing the cab and splitting the tractor (again). I guess it's just about time to think about having it taken care of.

TSO · Apr 30, 2012

OK, so I finally had a chance to drop it off yesterday, and just got a call from the dealership.

Turns out my guess was completely right: there is an O-ring at the bottom of the steering column (there's a cap there)...v the ring was pinched, thus the leak.

However, Kioti doesn't sell the ring as a replacement, so he had to order an entirely new column/shaft, to the tune of around $1700. Obviously it's a warranty item, so no cost to me or the dealer, but he was baffled that he couldn't just replace the gasket!

On the other hand, he says he's never seen or heard of this problem with the Kioti's before... so it's probably just an isolated (lucky me) incident from a factory worker who wasn't paying attention to details.

Anyhow, he has to wait for the parts, so I'll be out for a few more days.

Mousefield · Apr 30, 2012

Sounds like you are getting looked after properly, which is nice to see.

Just a side note: it is kind of sad we are such a throw away society.

For an O ring that is worth a few pennies they have to replace the whole unit worth $1700. On the bright side, as you mentioned, it is a warranty item.

nickel plate · Apr 30, 2012

TSO said:
OK, so I finally had a chance to drop it off yesterday, and just got a call from the dealership.

Turns out my guess was completely right: there is an O-ring at the bottom of the steering column (there's a cap there)...v the ring was pinched, thus the leak.

However, Kioti doesn't sell the ring as a replacement, so he had to order an entirely new column/shaft, to the tune of around $1700. Obviously it's a warranty item, so no cost to me or the dealer, but he was baffled that he couldn't just replace the gasket!

On the other hand, he says he's never seen or heard of this problem with the Kioti's before... so it's probably just an isolated (lucky me) incident from a factory worker who wasn't paying attention to details.

Anyhow, he has to wait for the parts, so I'll be out for a few more days.

Are you serious? A less than a couple of bucks O-ring is not replacable and therefore requires a $1700.00 steering column/shaft? TSO, I'm not doubting you but it sounds to me that MAYBE the dealer is shafting Kioti for a lot more than what is actually wrong with your tractor.