35 hours from July to Dec...

TractorLegend · Dec 30, 2005

So I got a new CK30HST last July. Problem is that its for my recreation property approx. 100 miles away, and being the urban dwelling TractorLegend, I don't get to use it as much as one hopes.
Heck, I'll probably face a dead battery since I haven't been there in three months. I know, I know---think ahead... the kids , business and extended family all need time too.
One has to make money somehow to boot---for me a thriving city is required. So my shiny tractor only has 35 hours, I expect at that rate it won't see It's 50 hr service till June '06. I did change the oil early and grease it a bunch. All in all it has been a healthy, safe, prosperous 2005.
So just a ramble to wish you all a Happy New Year!!

Dmace · Dec 30, 2005

My tractor got delivered October 29, 2005 with 1.3 hours on it and now just 2 months later, I have 35.5 hours on it. I am on it every chance I get. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
It's a good thing I don't lease it or plan on trading it in any time soon. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

DK35vince · Dec 31, 2005

I had a lot of work to get done around the house with my DK this summer.
I ran around 260 hours since spring of this year...

ToadHill · Dec 31, 2005

I have the same situation as you Legend. City life with 85 acres about 75 miles from home. Have my own business but I'm able to work it so I get a lot of 3 day weekends. I took delivery on my DK35 in mid September and have 73 hours on it.

KiotiJohn · Jan 1, 2006

You know, with just a little effort, you could remove that battery and bring it back to the city with you and keep it charge up. If it gets good freezing temps where the tractor is, a low battery can be ruined in a heartbeat!
I feel for you that you can't use it any more than you get to. I think I had those hours on my CK20HST within the first two weeks! Since then, I've had to slow way down and now have about 360 hours since Jan. 04. I think the tractor is very lonely lately.
Happy New Year!
John

TractorLegend · Jan 1, 2006

Well three months ago I had the best intentions to "be back soon"---then life happens. I think the temps. have not been in the freezing range too often, but yes I expect any battery sitting unattended that long to be flat.
I figure with 6~ hrs labor I can run electricity to the storage container it's in and put a quick disconnect motorcycle type trickle charger and heck, go all out, and put in a light fixture and a fan on a timer... work work work!

Highbeam · Jan 1, 2006

I just rolled 100 hours yesterday but I only travel 41 miles each way and am motivated by building plans. The less you use it, the less you break it. I managed to bend the level indicator rod when a rogue tree popped over the bucket top.

On your container, you might notice that your tractor is sweating big time right about now. My bulldozer would really get wet. I thought the moisture was from the roof of the container dripping down but then I noticed rain coming from the bottom of the steel ROPS roof. I ended up putting two large roof vents in and four side vents in to keep the container ventilated. I screwed on house style vent covers. Made a big difference in the heat of the summer too. Also, I painted the thing a light olive drab which helped keep the sun from making it too hot.

TractorLegend · Jan 1, 2006

yeah I noticed the sweltering fog/ heat in the summer months when I opened the container doors after an absence, hence the want for venting---mine was a refrigerated container so its perfect for not letting any air circulate!
I dont have a rops roof, and I have to fold the bar to fit it in there, how do you fit? Taller container?
Good thing I went nuts last trip with wax, ZEP penetrating oil and some tire shine---its ready for the tractor show---or at least was, it may be a pile of hazardous waste by now...
Sure has been a great tractor thus far (CK30HST) and I have an endless list of mods I want.
I may trailer it back to my repair shop in Burien, WA and work on it inbetween jobs and babysitting the employee(s).
And inbetween making security grids/ display racks for the front office windows for protection due to some recent neighboring business thefts.
Just more work, thats all!!!

Highbeam · Jan 2, 2006

Oh, fogrgot to mention I used that container to store a smaller international bulldozer. The dozer had a ROPS which is a four point deal with a roof over your head on a dozer. The tractor just has the roll bar style ROPS and will not fit inside the container. Which is a bummer since I store the RC there and can only set it at the front of the box without going through the hassle of folding the roll bar. The tractor comes home with me each trip, I'm actually more afraid of theft with a tractor than the harder to transport and more intimidating dozer.

The transport has had negative effects on the tractor. Lots of road grime. I did wax it when I bought it but I think it could use it again.