How to increase the hydraulic power on my CK27

Slinky750 · Nov 8, 2015

I love my CK, but i wish it would pick up more. I've adjusted the set screw under the right floor board a little bit but I'm not sure if thats all i can do. With my pallet forks on I can only pick up about 12 bags of salt. I know i'll never move a full skid but this tractor i think should be able to pick up more.

Gittyup · Nov 8, 2015

I've read of folks adjusting the pressure relief valve. Not sure how effective this is, nor how safe. Tractor's loader is designed for the weight and wheel base of the machine. I know this tractor can get tippy with the standard capacity. What's going to happen if you allow it "lift" more? Besides how many more bags of salt are you going to gain? Maybe instead of 12 you can move 16? You can lift a bit more with the 3ph; maybe consider a 3PH fork instead. I'm plenty happy with the lift of these tractors. From what I've read, they are better than most. But, then I haven't expected it to do more than its spec'd to do.

Slinky750 · Nov 8, 2015

Im debating moving up to a skid steer but i really like this tractor. I have this and a massey GC with a backhoe. I use them both but I'm lacking in being able to unload/load skids of salt and pavers. Also it struggles to load a full bucket of topsoil/stone into my truck. I have the tires loaded and thought about a weight box of some sort on the back. I run a full landscape business so moving skids can be real handy some times. But 2 tractors then another 40k for a skid steer is not something I'm excited about doing right now.

tman1020 · Nov 8, 2015

You should easily be able to lift a full bucket of soil or rock with no problem. Sounds to me that something is off. What size bucket do you have? Are your forks clamp on or quick attach? And what size were the salt bags?

4570Man · Nov 9, 2015

The tractor should easily be able to lift a bucket full of fine gravel. Are you using clamp on forks because this greatly reduces the capacity. I wouldn't try to increase the capacity, unless it is not performing to factory specs. The whole machine is only built for a certain amount.

Slinky750 · Nov 9, 2015

4570Man said:
The tractor should easily be able to lift a bucket full of fine gravel. Are you using clamp on forks because this greatly reduces the capacity. I wouldn't try to increase the capacity, unless it is not performing to factory specs. The whole machine is only built for a certain amount.

My bucket measures out to about half a yard rounded. It's a quick attach setup. 50lb bags of salt on a skid. I would also think I could curl more than I can lift. They say 1300lb lifting capacity but that seems underated for the size of the tractor

4570Man · Nov 9, 2015

You should be able to lift more than 650 pounds. Is the load evenly distributed on the pallet or mostly piled towards the tractor? Either way you should be able to lift more than that. I doubt 1300 pounds is under rating your loader, but it is a full height lift. If you are only lifting a few inches off the ground it should be able to lift more.

Leejohn · Nov 9, 2015

You should find out what the relief valve max psi should be. You do need a gauge to set it, set it at the max, 200psi under max sure goes a long way on the max lifting power. The 1300lbs lifting capacity isn't right it's Lift to full height (at pin): 1,155 lbs [523 kg] .

kennyd · Nov 9, 2015

Slinky750 said:
I have the tires loaded and thought about a weight box of some sort on the back.

I think that is your problem, loaded tires alone is not enough ballast, you NEED something behind the rear axle to offset the weight in the bucket and unload the front axle. I bet if you read your loader manual carefully it will explain this.

Checking your PRV is the next step, find out what the rating is for your machine then buy/build a gauge setup to verify it. I know you wrote that you adjusted it, but have you tested what the pressure is?

Gittyup · Nov 9, 2015

If you can't lift a full bucket of dirt to full height, something isn't right. Mine doesn't even strain with anything that fits entirely in the bucket. You say your bucket is 1/2 yard heaped. I'm pretty sure mine is a 1/3 yard level. Does heaping get you to half a yard? Are you using the OEM bucket or something bigger? I'd certain check and set the pressure per manufacturer's recommendations. If you are in landscape, a skid steer would be the way to go anyway.