CK20 HST and Meteor 60 snowblower

[BTF]

Now that we have some stuff to blow I'm anxious to pick up the blower and get it installed. Not particularly looking forward to modifying the shaft myself though. I'm figuring it might be an area where getting it wrong could be an expensive mistake. I got a gentle reminder with my 24" walk behind to keep extra shear pins handy. I had plenty at home but, of course, I was at my shop when I need the first one of the season.

Thanks again for the advice and eliminating buyers remorse.

 

[rimshot]

Just a little last minute tip for the first time you put your rig to work. Remember to shift pto in gear and let up on clutch slowly while engine is at idle or perhaps 15-1600 rpms. That will start the auger turning. Now bump up your RPM's slowly to the red triangle on the tach that gets you the desired rpm's for your meteor. If you have babied your CK20 it will sound like that little diesel is really racing but that kick's the snow up and away. Same thing when slipping PTO out of gear, throttle down and don't use clutch this time as you slide pto lever out of gear.

My rig should be identical to yours. As I recall on the tractor there are three holes for the tractor side of the toplink. Adjust and set the top link to fit in the middle hole. The first time you raise the three point/blower should you use the top hole the handle for chute rotation could possibly strike the slow moving vehicle placard. Either the handle or the plackard holder can get bent if this happens. You can also set the stop for the 3ph lift lever so it can control how high the blower & handle come up when you lift your blower. Just keep an eye on that for the first few times and adjust if necessary so you don't have any issues.

I keep a coffee can with some 30 wt. oil and an old paint brush so I can paint on some oil on the blower ooodrive chain. A little light oil keeps chain llubed and clean used before each job.

You have a real beast there. I have carved through drifts of packed snow on the beaches of Northern Lake Michigan. Pickups with plows could not touch those same drifts but that rig cut those wind rows of snow like a drill. Have fun but be safe.

rimshot

 

[Steve_Miller]

Rim,
Have you ever had the ice pile up on the shore close enough to cause concern? Looks like you have a beautiful spot there snow included. By the look of the radars you should have some more snow in your future.

Steve

 

[rimshot]

In the thirty years that I lived there that never happened, Steve but a few miles West of there that phenomenon came about one Spring. The ice broke up in the spring and was floating around out in Lake Michigan when a strong South wind came up suddenly. The wind managed to heave those ice sheets up on shore until it reached the state highway where it blocked traffic. It took the State Hwy Department more that rock salt to clear that ice from the road surface.

rimshot

 

[BTF]

Rimshot,

Can't say thanks enough for your operation instructions. There exactly what I need. I've printed out a copy and plan on spending time with them in hand as I familiarize myself with the operation.

I'd considered a plow. But my Toyota Tacoma can only take a "toy" plow. So now we'd need to consider a new larger truck in addition to the plow. Then you still have no place to put the snow.

After years doing the 80 ft uphill driveway with a 24" walk behind, I figure the snow in the face while sitting, will sure be an easy trade off for no cab.

Thanks again.

Bruce

 

[rimshot]

Rimshot,

After years doing the 80 ft uphill driveway with a 24" walk behind, I figure the snow in the face while sitting, will sure be an easy trade off for no cab.

Thanks again.

Bruce

====================

Hi Bruce,

What's that you say, snow in the face. That used to be the case for me, but not another snowy face from now on. Pls read my thread about draping a golf cart enclosure over your dealer purchased ROPS mounted roof for your CK20. It works great after using my Ck-20 and blower with nothing and by the same token it cost roughly 12-15% of the cost of a store bought Curtis cab. It's right here:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-owning-operating/156735-drafty-but-dry-cab-tightwad.html

rim

 

[BTF]

Rim,

I can see a twin to your machine coming soon. Cost justification has always eliminated consideration of a cab. Well you took care of that.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a growing number imitators.

Regards,
Bruce

 

[rimshot]

Rim,

I can see a twin to your machine coming soon. Cost justification has always eliminated consideration of a cab. Well you took care of that.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a growing number imitators.

Regards,
Bruce

==========================

Beats a face full of snow or a poke in the eye with a sharp stick anyday doesn't it Bruce?

 

[BTF]

Guess it's going to be a while before I taste the snow from the blower. At the risk of sounding like I'm whining, okay I'm whining, I picked up the blower today. The young sales rep picked up the blower by the 3 Pt hitch frame and I guided it into the bed. Had he brushed off the snow he would have seen (or should have known that their was a lift eye) and it would have balanced without the need for a guide. As he lowered the forks their was a snapping noise and the truck bed moved 2 or 3 inches I noticed the lift was rubbing on the edge of my plastic edged tailgate and I assumed he lowered the truck with the lift. He asked me if it looked okay and I was checking my truck for damage. I secured the load with straps and then asked about the shoes. Oh, we don't have them. Will have to check on that on Monday. Off I go, 20 minutes into the ride home I stopped to check the straps I noticed a crease in the chute. So I put a call in to the sales rep and left voice mail about it and that I 'd take picture before off loading. Then I arrive home, and by now, the snow is gone and I SEE THE LIFTING EYE AND A DEPRESSION IN THE STEEL FRAME ABOUT A QUARTER OF AN INCH IN THE FRAME. Not sure if the bed liner is crushed yet.

So I know have some decisions. They don't have another in stock. I lose a half day going back and forth and don't want to take a day off from work since I work in the opposite direction. I don't want to off load because it wouldn't be easy to reload. My hilly driveway and dirt road to it, make it difficulty to exchange at my location if their willing to do so.

Love to hear what others think. I don't really know what would be an equitable solution. But perhaps with other opinions we can work something reasonable out.

Sorry for the length of this but thereis something theraputic in writing it.

 

[rimshot]

Sorry to hear about all the bad luck. You pay for something new and you get the darn thing literally drop shipped. Seems like the sales person should have known that midpoint hook existedA. In addition, he should have taken off that chute before attempting to pick up the whole blower. Unfortunate to have to learn that chute is so vulnerable to lifting with a chain. Make sure the chute rotates on it's base. I'm not sure just how serious the damage is but if the chute is sprung t might not rotate freely. Tip; routine maintenance of those meteor's should include spraying some white grease on that large plastic washer located between base of chute and blower body.

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