City boys new CK20S

[stoshb]

Son & I picked up our new CK20 last weekend. My first time on a tractor. He has heavy equipment time but no tractor time. Need I say we spent more time learning than doing.

We bought the tractor cause our lake has dried up and we figured could use a tractor to clean up the boat slips and other general work. Plus son has some hunting land that has proven to take more upkeep than expected.

When it was delivered the flail mower was hooked up, but now realize not really adjusted. After two minutes of mowing heavy grass the shaft split in half. Long phone call later our first tractor lesson was that the PTO shaft was made in two pieces. Somehow got shaft back together and away we went for 5 more minutes of mowing before it happened again.

At this point figured it was time to stop learning about PTO shafts and removed mower, in the middle of our lot where we had to go around it every time we did anything.

Next lesson was hooking up the rake. More fun with my cop son and I trying not to cuss too much around each other. The rake did prove to be useful and we got a little work done.

Then it was time to play with FEL. Since my son has seat time on some large construction equipment this went better. He just had to re-train his hands and eyes for the smaller equipment.

On the other hand I learned that the tractor changes what the joystick does in some mysterious random order. Why else would the scoop go up when I told the boom to go down, or the boom to go down when I told it to go up. :ashamed:

When we finally decided it was time to go back to mowing we finally had to admit that we could curse in front of each other. Now the mower looks about 2' of the ground. Wonder if the fact that the second time we put the shaft back together we screwed it up. Looking at Youtube videos it seems like the two parts of the shaft should do something don't want to talk about in mixed company and go in and out. They don't. Any ideas?

Anyway, learning moments aside, we are very impressed with this tractor. It really feels strong. Can not believe so little horsepower can do so much work. Think this beast will be the last tractor I ever need to buy.

 

[o2batsea]

You may also be surprised at how fast 20 hp can get away from you. Is there anything like an instruction manual with this deadly instrument? At least you popped the pin before you got sucked into it.
First off, don't run it in the raised position because that puts the PTO shaft at too steep an angle. Lower it to operating position and then engage the PTO. You will bust something if you do otherwise.
The shaft is supposed to slide. If it can't compress then it's not lined up properly and you'll not be able to use it.
I'm surprised the seller did not go over these things with you especially as you haven't much experience with these potentially dangerous implements.
Better to ask what you might think are obvious questions than spend a lot of time in frustration. We've all been to that movie.

 

[IslandTractor]

If the PTO shaft is falling apart while mowing it is too short. Do NOT continue to experiement, it can be very dangerous. Whoever set it up provided either the wrong size or cut the PTO shaft too short. You will need a new one and as you are new I'd suggest getting the dealer to take care of this matter ASAP.

I owned a CK20 and loved it. I now have a DK40se and Caroni flail. What flail did you get?

 

[bearhawk]

...Son & I picked up our new CK20 last weekend. My first time on a tractor. He has heavy equipment time but no tractor time. Need I say we spent more time learning than doing...

Where are you located, you might have some local tbn help around..