Hi range HST bogging on grade - CK30 (CT230 actually)

[johnsopa]

On my used Bobcat CT230 that I just got, the HST is bogging down on our gravel driveway when in high range going uphill.

The driveway has a slightly increasing grade from 830 to 930 feet in altitude over 1000 feet of length. I guess this is about 100' of rise over 1000' of run. If I understand correctly this is a 10% (or 10:1) grade.

The tractor slows down then stops/bogs about halfway up. Medium range is OK but it still seems to bog down a bit.

I was surprised by this. Should this concern me?

I have one month of warranty left.

Thanks!

 

[krazsk]

I think you are just short of horsepower for what you are trying to do. My CT225 bogs down going uphill in high range. I figured that I was trying to haul 4000 pounds uphill with lawnmower type horsepower.

 

[ERE]

It doesn't sound strange to me. 10% is a steep grade; steeper than most mountain highway grades. My CK 25 slows down on steep grades in Hi range. I never use high except for moving form one place to another on our country roads. All my light work is in med, and anything ground engaging is Low. When it starts to slow down, just ease off on the tilting pedal. That reduces the angle of the hydraulic pump swash plate which is the hydraulic version of shifting to a lower gear. With a little practice, you wont even think about it; it will become automatic.

 

[kiotiken]

I'm planning on talking to my dealer about mine, it doesn't seem to do as well in high as it used to. I really noticed it driving over to my neighbors place a couple weeks ago. There is a slight, and I mean slight, incline on the paved road, and I had a hard time getting any speed, it started really bogging down. I have driven 4-5 km in the past and gone up some pretty big hills in high and I'm thinking it's bogging down a lot more now, and on less of an incline.

On top of the CK30 and FEL, I also have loaded tires, a 1200 lbs backhoe and a cab. The dealer says the set up is about 6500lbs, I asked because I want to get a trailer to be able to move it around.

 

[johnsopa]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I should mention that the only attachment I have is a FEL. No ballast yet, nothing on the back when I was testing this out. I do have a 60" rotary mower but haven't driven the driveway with it attached yet.

I think I'll ask the Bobcat dealer what he thinks when I stop in to get filters.

 

[kiotiken]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I should mention that the only attachment I have is a FEL. No ballast yet, nothing on the back when I was testing this out. I do have a 60" rotary mower but haven't driven the driveway with it attached yet.

I think I'll ask the Bobcat dealer what he thinks when I stop in to get filters.

Please update this thread when you do, I'd like to hear other dealers opinions. I'll let you know what my dealer says.

 

[Mousefield]

Seems normal to me. I don't often use high gear on my CK35 HST. There is one part of our road with a bit of a grade and I do notice it slowing down if I am in high gear. I use mid range about 99.8% of the time. Just remember, how well would your car/truck do with only a 30HP motor.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I'm planning on talking to my dealer about mine, it doesn't seem to do as well in high as it used to. I really noticed it driving over to my neighbors place a couple weeks ago. There is a slight, and I mean slight, incline on the paved road, and I had a hard time getting any speed, it started really bogging down. I have driven 4-5 km in the past and gone up some pretty big hills in high and I'm thinking it's bogging down a lot more now, and on less of an incline.

On top of the CK30 and FEL, I also have loaded tires, a 1200 lbs backhoe and a cab. The dealer says the set up is about 6500lbs, I asked because I want to get a trailer to be able to move it around.

Could it be you were in 4wd? Thatll add extra load and be real noticeable in Hi. ... or - Were the tires always loaded. Could you be making a before and after comparison?
larry

 

[kiotiken]

Could it be you were in 4wd? Thatll add extra load and be real noticeable in Hi. ... or - Were the tires always loaded. Could you be making a before and after comparison?
larry

Good point, it was in 4wd, but I've never taken the tractor out of 4wd, so it was the same as before. The only differences this time is the kioti cab that I've added (350 lbs I think they say) and I had pallet forks on the front which is probably an extra 50-100 lbs over the bucket.

Until I got over the grade, I couldn't get up to even mid range speed. I did come off the pedal to stop it from bogging and give it a fighting chance, moved the throttle to wide open and gently tried to pick up speed, but no go.

 

[johnsopa]

Please update this thread when you do, I'd like to hear other dealers opinions. I'll let you know what my dealer says.

Stopped by the local Bobcat dealer. The dealer believes this is acceptable as a 1:10 is relatively steep and hi range is designed for flat level travel.

I'm going to be adding 30 or so gallons of Rim Guard to each tire sometime this week, so I hope I don't lose mid-range on the driveway now that I'll have even more weight in the back.