Kioti CK3510SE HST Floppy Bucket Fix

I just purchased a new 2019 Kioti CK3510SE HST with Factory Cab and noticed a few issues with it after a brief use period. I noticed that when I would back drag the bucket would curl up and run flat which did me no good on back dragging. Kioti told me I needed to curl the bucket all the way up and pause until the air pocket get's out and then curl down all the way and pause until the air get's out but the minute I would move the curl rams about 3-4" the air pocket would return. This is considered normal operation by Kioti.

The reason for this issue is the hydraulic pump is not able to supply the fluid to the curl rams as fast as it returns when dumping or curling the bucket down. So what happens is it leaves a air pocket (cavitation) in the cylinder.

So the solution I arrived at was adding the Parker F600S to the white line at the FEL hydraulic quick connectors. This valve is a free flow in one direction and restricted check in the other direction. So installing it as shown will slow down the bucket dump or curl down but curl up at full speed. I was concerned that restricting the line on dump that it would intensify the pressure on the return cycle but after testing it with a gauge I had no intensified pressure on the return cycle for the white line.

Here is the video of the air pocket in the cylinder prior to applying the fix.

https://www.norwestsuspension.com/video/Kioti%20CK3510SE%20HST%20Bucket%...

Here is the parts you will need and you can get these at a local Parker store or a Hydraulics shop should be able to order them.

Cutaway of the Parker F600S

Where to install F600S on Kioti CK series tractors

F600S setting that worked for me on my tractor, What is nice with this valve is you are able to tweak it for different hydraulic systems.

NOTE: Do NOT crank the valve all the way closed as that will create excessive pressure on the dump or curl down cycle and will more then likely cause a line to burst.

Ok after valve install and performing an operational check of the dump (curl down) cycle and verifying my setting.

https://www.norwestsuspension.com/video/Kioti%20CK3510%20Bucket%20roll%2...

Here I am checking for any intensified pressure on the white line during the dump cycle with the valve set at 3 3/4 turns out from full seated. As you can see the gauge drops to 0 but still creates a restriction in the line as there is no air pocket anymore.

https://www.norwestsuspension.com/video/Kioti%20curl%20bucket%20down%20r...

Hope this helps any other Kioti Tractor Owners with this same issue as Kioti is not very helpful as they just say it is normal operation or we designed it that way.

EDIT: I am adding a section for the valve location to slow the lowering of the loader arms as when raised high it tends to suddenly drop and not feather all that well and this will allow more feathering of the lowering function.

Install this flow control valve on the yellow line if yours is not located in the same place as shown in the image below. I set it at 4 3/8 turns out from fully seated and that gave me a line intensified pressure of right about 500 psi when lowering the boom. If you hear the engine bog down and hear the pump then it is too restrictive and you need to open it 1/4 turn increments.