1st day on CK25HST,,,impressions

yoyo · Jul 10, 2004

My first day with CK25HST; After checking all fluid levels, spent some time mowing and getting used to mowing with FEL and rear mower. Boy that takes some getting used to. Almost took out a apple tree! Note, the key is right where your knee can hit it and it will turn off the tractor! Then adjusted mower height to my satisfaction and mowed some more.Note, Cub Cadet can mow circles around this thing if there are trees/bushes to mow around, but can't touch it in the straight aways! Then leveled several small areas that were uneven. I'd been wanting to do this for years. When using FEL on compacted dirt, you really need to go to low gear. tractor was really jumpy and did not have enough power in the mid gear position. I'm wondering how in the world is it going to pull a plow or something. It couldn't even get out of a small ditch I backed into in mid gear. It would back out of it though and a running start got it through. I tried to keep the rpms around 2100-2300, not wanting to push it too hard. Note , a little extra rpms does wonders for your power! Going back mowing after it cools off. Note , should have bought the sunshade!
All-in-all, this little tractor and I are going to get along just fine! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

yoyo · Jul 10, 2004

I forgot to mention! How do you use the rear brakes to turn around when your foot is on the HST pedal? Speed cruise control I guess is the only way possible. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

mathey · Jul 10, 2004

( I forgot to mention! How do you use the rear brakes to turn around when your foot is on the HST pedal? Speed cruise control I guess is the only way possible. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif )

I've yet to figure out that trick on my CK20H...most times you'd need to use the R/L braking are in close quarters, and i sure don't want the cruise control on then! Needless to say, i've never used it.

everyone said i had two left feet, now if i can find a way to get two right ones, i'd be set!

KiotiJohn · Jul 10, 2004

I'm surprised you had trouble in the ditch in mid range. Did you have the 4wd turned on or off? On my CK20HST I only have low and high and most "working" requires low range. I would think though that mid would do a lot of pulling if in 4WD. It takes a little getting used to changing from 2 to 4WD when you need it. Most of the time I stay in two unless I'm in soft dirt. Don't use the 4WD on hard surfaces, it will wear your tires, and can damage the gearing as the wheels don't exactly turn the same front to back. There have been many posts about that. I'm happy that things are going well with your new tractor. We're still waiting to see that you REALLY have one! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif John

JayC · Jul 10, 2004

( I forgot to mention! How do you use the rear brakes to turn around when your foot is on the HST pedal? Speed cruise control I guess is the only way possible. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif )

I'm still not sure of the logic behind this. I'm surprised one of the manufacturers hasn't actually done anything about it. I guess if one needs to use differential braking to either get a gear version, use the cruise, or get a machine where the pedals are of the two-pedal design.

KiotiKevin · Jul 11, 2004

Hey yoyo,
Where's the pics man. Believe John is right - did you have it in 4 wheel. Something not right with your venture there ! First time on a tractor? John, Ill send the pics later on. These backshifts (12hr) mess up a guy's day.
Kevin

Cliff_Johns · Jul 11, 2004

( "How do you use the rear brakes to turn around when your foot is on the HST pedal? "

I'm still not sure of the logic behind this. I'm surprised one of the manufacturers hasn't actually done anything about it. )

Some manufactures have the breaks on the same side, some have moved them to the left (JD). On my tractor I can use diferential breaking with my left while using the HST with my right, but I admit, I've never used the feature and can't see when I would have to. I'm not sure you're really missing much. Switching into 4WD will usually get you out of where you get into. Maybe I just haven't had enough experience yet.

Cliff

KiotiJohn · Jul 11, 2004

Yoyo, as for brake turning with the HST on Kioti, forget it. It just isn't going to work, and if you've done it on another tractor, you already know what that stationary tire will do to the ground. Do you really need that kind of turning power?
I played around with mine a little and it just can't be done well. Even pushing on one break while trying to turn pretty well brings the HST down. I have no need for this feature, but I think it would behoove Kioti to change this arrangement for those who do wish to do so. John

yoyo · Jul 11, 2004

John, I've used the brakes on old ford 4000 and others as well and I think there may be times a little smaller turn radius is needed. I needed it yesterday while mowing. If it's not workable with the HST , then why have the pedals in the way, Answer; parking brake! I didn't know this when I ordered the tractor, but this has an option for draft control. Also , the mid mount PTO is an option. I think my dealer should have explained to me the options! If I had to do it all over again, I would go shuttle shift with draft control option, sunshade. When I was in the small ditch yesterday( only bout 8 inches deep!), I had backed both back tires in it, and It would not go forward (4wd). The engine didn't stall, but the wheels would not turn either. I just hit reverse and it backed out about a foot. I then went forward and the momentum carried me thru. I do think that this will handle a 6' finish mower. But, the 5 foot mower doesn't stick out behind the tires and if the fel or rear tires clear an object ( going in a straight line of course), then I know the mower will clear also.

David
6hrs seat time

JayC · Jul 11, 2004

I know Deere uses the two pedal design. The Class III Boomers and Farmalls use the two pedal as well as the Farmtrac HSTs. It's a good design as well as the single pedal type. Both are good. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

yoyo, when you were in the ditch, were you pressing the pedal all the way down? When you need more power to the wheels, pressing the pedal all the way down actually makes less power. Pressing it down slightly will give more power to the wheels.