Barnyard Drainage Project

[To20Chris]

I put about 7hrs on the LK3054 today, working on puting in a drainage system for out barnyard (aka: pony mud wrestling area). I am extremely impressed it so far. This is a 28' x 36' area, extremely confined, and access is through the forebay support posts (about 9' opening). I could never have done it without the split brake peddles. I never thought I would use them much, but in the mud I could make it turn like a skid steer! I used 2nd gear low range, and ran with the hand throttle. Used the clutch with my left foot & the brakes with my right. Here is a question for the CK20HST guys: how would this work with the hydro? Can you set a low ground speed with the cruise control to free your feet for the brakes?

I find I am much better with the BH than I am with the FEL so far. Mostly that is because I'm trying it in a confined space, but I have a hard time getting a reasonably full load without pushing the dirt so far it ends up against a wall, or back in the ditch. Then I have to drag it back with the blade and try again! But I'm learning!

I took tomorrow off, so I hope to get the pipe and stone in & level it off. I'll put landscape cloth over the stone, and then put fines over it all. I couldn't be happier with this machine so far. My wife is delighted at the prospect of fixing this mess up, and so far the Kioti is putting on a good show! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[To20Chris]

Another view

 

[To20Chris]

And another

 

[To20Chris]

& another

 

[RobS]

Nice looking work Chris, you must have a fairly narrow bucket? Are you using slotted drainpipe? Rigid or corrugated?

That's also a great looking barn in the background. How old is it?

I agree, it's easier to use the backhoe deftfully than the loader. Some of that is the visibility with the backhoe cutting towards you /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[To20Chris]

RobS - I got a 12", as this is the kind of work I was planning on doing with it. I have a lot of other similar projects planned. I'm using 4" corrugated & slotted for the field, and I'll adapt it to non-slotted on the other side of the wall. I usually switch it to Sched 40 before I bring it to the surface.

You are probably right about the FEL - the hard part is not being able to see it.

The barn was started about 1835, with 2 later additions. I think the earliest section was built with parts of an older barn (recycling!)

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Here is a question for the CK20HST guys: how would this work with the hydro? Can you set a low ground speed with the cruise control to free your feet for the brakes?)</font> It's next to impossible. I played with doing it with the cruise on and pressing one pedal, but it really lugs the tractor down. I don't need to do it anyway, so I don't bother. It would be a problem, I think, if one really needed to do this a lot as the brakes are on the same side as the hydro pedal.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have a hard time getting a reasonably full load without pushing the dirt so far it ends up against a wall, or back in the ditch. Then I have to drag it back with the blade and try again! )</font> I have one word for you: Toothbar
John

 

[To20Chris]

John - you have a toothbar? I would never have guessed! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I'm hoping sucsess on this project might prompt the boss to make additional funds available...........

 

[lablovers]

To20Chris,
Nice work. I agree with you about the left/right braking ability. I too was working in a confined area and could not have done it without using brake/steering. I never even though about this in regards to HST.

Beautiful property you have there. The 3054 can only make it better.

 

[To20Chris]

Thanks! I would think that the CK20HST would be more manuverable in a confined space, and the easy back and forth would be handy, but it does seem that the hydro peddle would be better placed on the left. I guess that would be too strange!

I never thought that I would use the brakes split, but I can see that I will probably do that a lot. Working in such a confined area is quite nerve-racking. You have to watch all 4 sides at the same time, and sometimes the top too!

Chris