What I Like About My DK55c

rvaitor · May 8, 2008

Since there doesn't seem to be much chat about DK55s here so I thought would start a thread.

Likes - Smooth running, AC, Nice controls, very fuel efficient, stable, extremely easy to service(filters, drains, hood design), adjustable 3pt links, dual remotes.

Dislikes - running into things(trees mostly) with the Cab(lights, mirrors, antenna), transmission linkage, Headlight covers yellowing(on tractor), no locking gas cap, NO LOCKING GAS CAP!!!!, Radio doesn't have MP3 plug in, Rear night lights don't give the coverage that the rear reverse lights do - wish I could run both at the same time when going forward.

Overall, I really have enjoyed this tractor, service has been good - what little I've needed. I am interested in whether AG tires would be better. Also, what folks who are operating ground engaging implements are using and sizes. I have a grapple, 7ft mower. Stuff I have but haven't used - 7ft box blade, 9ft tandem disc, 7ft leveling disc, 8 ft cultivator.

I'm mostly mowing and clearing. the forward and reverse linkage(which got stuck twice before - an update was installed even though my tractor was out of warranty), is not self assuring.

Any other DK 55 owners want to chime in?

DK35vince · May 9, 2008

All reviews should have pictures.

Now that you mention it there doesn't seem to be a lot of disscussion on the DK 55. Hadn't really noticed it till now.

Oleozz · May 10, 2008

I'm not a 55 owner and I know of only one in this area. I don't think it sees much use, I talked to the owner once about the tractor and his one concern was that the hydraulic fluid got to hot. He had talked to the dealership and they told him it was normal.
I believe the 45 and 55 have the same engine except the 55 is supercharged. The tires on the 55 are larger and for the work that I do I prefer the ag tires, I have nothing against the R4's but I need a more agressive tread.

rvaitor · May 10, 2008

DK35vince said:
All reviews should have pictures.

Here is my normal operating set-up. The mower balance heavy stuff on the front and allows me to mulch as I go.

On the Hydraulics I haven't noticed a problem and am a fairly heavy user with the grapple. I also had a cylinder on the disc attached to one of the remotes.

On the tires my brother-in-law has AGs on a Kubota and has rolled them off the rims a couple of times, a huge PITA. I liked AGs on my Mahindra because the larger size improved the ride.

coobie · May 10, 2008

Oleozz said:
I'm not a 55 owner and I know of only one in this area. I don't think it sees much use, I talked to the owner once about the tractor and his one concern was that the hydraulic fluid got to hot. He had talked to the dealership and they told him it was normal.
I believe the 45 and 55 have the same engine except the 55 is supercharged. The tires on the 55 are larger and for the work that I do I prefer the ag tires, I have nothing against the R4's but I need a more agressive tread.

I agree on the ag tires.I wish I had ordered the ag tires for my kioti Dk 40se verses the R4 tires.I had ag tires on my massey 1240 4x4 and loved them.coobie

PAB_OH · May 10, 2008

coobie said:
I agree on the ag tires.I wish I had ordered the ag tires for my kioti Dk 40se verses the R4 tires.I had ag tires on my massey 1240 4x4 and loved them.coobie

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO happy I got the ags. I really, really wanted the R4's but in the end my list of chores dictated the ags. Here's a pic from today's work. I think R4's would have been a problem but I guess I'll never know.

Oh yea, rvaitor, I love your tractor. If I could justify that machine I'd get one in a heartbeat. I noticed you have a Rhino loader, any reason you didn't go with the Kioti? Also, I notice your worklights are pointed up, you expecting air raid?

rvaitor · May 11, 2008

PAB_OH said:
I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO happy I got the ags. I really, really wanted the R4's but in the end my list of chores dictated the ags. Here's a pic from today's work. I think R4's would have been a problem but I guess I'll never know.

Oh yea, rvaitor, I love your tractor. If I could justify that machine I'd get one in a heartbeat. I noticed you have a Rhino loader, any reason you didn't go with the Kioti? Also, I notice your worklights are pointed up, you expecting air raid?

I bought it used and it had a Rhino loader on it. Seems to work okay. The lights and antennas are constantly being hit by limbs and what not. I can't just reach up and divert a limb so more times than not I have to drive through. I've lost a mirror, antenna, all the light shrouds. I think I'll eventually have to do something different on the lights to protect them. I try to be careful but it is near impossible.

Highbeam · May 12, 2008

The 55 being turbocharged right? Does it make noise as it spools up like a macho trucker noise? I'm jealous of you guys that get to use the larger machines.

rvaitor · May 12, 2008

Highbeam said:
The 55 being turbocharged right? Does it make noise as it spools up like a macho trucker noise? I'm jealous of you guys that get to use the larger machines.

Yes, it is a Turbo, but I haven't noticed the spooling up sound. I think one of the advantages is you get a little more power out of a lower displacement engine and still have a fairly low fuel consumption provided you are not running all out under load. It may also even out some of the lugging propensity. As for raw torque, you need the cubes. My previous tractor 59HP vs 55HP was naturally aspirated 3 liter vs the Kioti 2.1 Litre I think. The three litre was significantly stronger and seemed a little thirstier. Both do/did fine for my purposes but I like the lower fuel burn these days.

Did I mention I wish Kioti provided a LOCKING FUEL CAP, yep, I think I did several times - anyone listening?

DrRick · May 12, 2008

I have the industrial tires on mine and they have been fine. I needed the tougher tire due to the large amount of rock in my area. I have had zero trouble from this machine except for the glass breakage ( my fault ). My buddies with john deeres are in awe of the fuel consumption compared to their tractors.
I am happy!
dr. rick

Oleozz · May 12, 2008

I thought my 45 was a bit heavy using diesel until I got a 140hp (PTO) IH. I never realized how nice I had it with the Kioti, the IH just gulps it when doing heavy field work. The tank is 42 gal so it cost me about $170 to fill it up.

bellcon · May 12, 2008

I just got my 55c about a month ago so not much feedback yet. So far so good. I primarily got it for snowremoval so I don't think I'll get to put it to the test untill next winter. I also picked up a second hand Lorenz 78" pto snow blower. I think it's a little small for this tractor but I figured it would let me see how much I use it before I spend $4k on one. I'll let you know how it works.
Scott

Oleozz · May 13, 2008

Welcome Scott.
It will be interesting to hear how you like your 55 for snow removal. I watched a video on YouTube of a Kioti blowing snow and it was making that snow fly.

jeffva · May 15, 2008

I like my dk55c, and have about 210 hrs on it - bought it new. I use my grapple tons, a 7' brushbull quite a bit, although I smashed the tail wheel and need to straighten it out. I'd say the tail end on the brushbulls might be a bit weak.

I've snapped the radio antenna - it should be on the back, not the side. The hydraulics could use a touch more juice, but not like my kubotas... way too much there!

I like the weight/power/size ratios. I can do what I want where I want. The loader doesn't tilt back far enough and I hear Kioti fixed that, but they want about a $1000 for the retrofit... a bit of a rip-off, since their engineering wasn't spot on!

I have the industrial tires and slip a bit, but I like the size and weight. I handle this by running in 4wd when I need to. As for the cab, it is fairly nice. I'd like to see the panel holding the controls and radio moved forward 1/2 a foot or so. I've about smashed my head more than once... and yes I know I'm supposed to be wearing my seat belt!

The toplink catch needs to be tilted more, otherwise the toplink pops out. I've done this the old fashion way - hammer! If a run the bushhog for 4+ hours straight - which I'm going to do this weekend - the hydraulics get hot and the loader gets spongy... I hear there is a cooler for the oil, but again this is a retrofit. My dealer says to measure the outlet temp, but we know this is happening, so why not just put the unit on?

The Culpeper dealer closed shop, and I had a chance to talk with him. He loves the tractors and was selling the $&%& out of them, but the dealer support for Virginia was seriously lacking - his words not mine. This is another easy to fix issue, if Kioti wants to compete... and I hope they do!

The bottom line is "would I buy another?". I would ... I have fords, kubotas and kiotis. The Kiotis are really horses and if Kioti commits to the long haul, they'll have a nice tractor line.

rvaitor · Oct 2, 2008

Oleozz said:
I thought my 45 was a bit heavy using diesel until I got a 140hp (PTO) IH. I never realized how nice I had it with the Kioti, the IH just gulps it when doing heavy field work. The tank is 42 gal so it cost me about $170 to fill it up.

I put 21 hours on my DK55c last weekend and guess I used between 15 and 20 gallons. I'm pretty pleased with that, much less than I would have thought. Bush hogging about 2000 RPM.