CK20hst hill climb

chelydra · Apr 21, 2005

Only 16 hours, and more fun every minute. Should have bought this beast years ago.

I've been moving a lot of topsoil and wood chips. Really need a tooth bar for the FEL; it's not always practical to break up ground with the hoe. Is the bucket edge strong enough to mount one? Is there anything cheaper than the $300 Kubota or Bobcat jobs?

I was pushing chips around to move some piles, and was suprised to stall out going up-slope. I'm staying below 2500 RPM due to the low hours, but thought that should be enough power in low range to get up any hill. Am I doing something wrong? I didn't think to get into 4WD; will try that next time.

I'm not too worried about the chips, but will soon be going up and down a very steep dirt road. Sure hate to have to leave the tractor in the bottom of a valley because I can't drive it home.

Thanks-

NBB

Bob_Skurka · Apr 21, 2005

Shift to low range, it should climb like a goat.

KiotiJohn · Apr 21, 2005

Next time do think to put it into 4WD. With a loader full of almost anything, and going up a slope in two wheel drive, you're putting a lot of stress on it. I'm a little surprised it stalled out though, actually quit? Another thing. When you start to hear it lug down, come off that treadle pedal a little as this will give you the equivalent of a lower gear, better for pulling. All the way down is like a higher gear in a manual transmission. Same in high range, less pedal = more torque/pulling power. Ease up on the pedal and let the engine recover a bit, then you can ease the pedal down a little at a time. Always try to apply pedal pressure at a rate that doesn't lug the tractor down. Takes just a bit of practice to get used to the idea that that pedal is not a "gas" pedal, but part of the transmission.
Good tractoring to you, and when using the loader, 4X4 it!
John
EDIT: Another thing. Don't worry so much about the RPM for the breakin as you should about lugging the tractor down. You do more damage by putting it into a strain than simply running it out. Besides, 2500 is almost to rated speed anyway. Use the tractor pretty much as you plan to always use it, keeping in mind that dragging that engine way down needlessly does more harm than simple RPM rate. John

mathey · Apr 21, 2005

RE: toothbars...look up in the "attachments" section or do a search, there's at least 3 current toothbar discussions /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

bigtractor · Apr 21, 2005

Tooth bars are cheap a good Woods bar runs about $250.

Ranashi · Apr 21, 2005

As far as hills go I would have to say you must have been in high range or catching on something. I am working on reclaiming a slopped lot now. I would bet you are not working any more slopped than I have with my CK20HST - I cannot climb the hill in high range at all. If I have the backhoe on going up forward my front tires skim the ground if not completely come up. In reverse on some parts I have actually found I have needed to use the front end loader to move me back out of the holes I am working in. Very very rarely do I ever find it running out of power climbing unless I get to the point I am needing the front end loader to push me up a hill. Oh and the first time the front tires come up off the ground and you start rolling back onto the backhoe climbing a hill is a whole thrill of its own! Welcome to the pack!!

dieselchaser · Apr 29, 2005

When the driver dropped off my CK20HST this week, he cautioned me that they find that the engines go thru a breakin period where they dont develop their full power until somewhere between 30 and 50 hours of use. Said to keep it in low range so as not to get discouraged with the power......and to not lug it down. After 50 hours he said it will climb most anything...even in high range!

GerardC · Apr 29, 2005

Really need a tooth bar for the FEL 

 Is there anything cheaper than the $300 Kubota or Bobcat jobs? 

Yes. Click here.... MarkhamWelding

KiotiJohn · Apr 29, 2005

( Said to keep it in low range so as not to get discouraged with the power......and to not lug it down. After 50 hours he said it will climb most anything...even in high range! )
I wonder what planet that guy was from?
There is no difference in the power between 0 and 50 hours, use the tractor in either range, but keep in mind that high is mostly for transport, not the work. It won't get any stronger after the break in. The advice about not lugging the engine was about the only valid words out of his mouth. The new parts are mating, and lugging can cause problems, but pretty much you can use the tractor as you wish.
John

dieselchaser · Apr 29, 2005

Being the first diesel I've owned I took him at his word....guy looked like he had been born on a tractor for petes sake. I have noticed the same kind of power issue as pointed out in the beginning of the thread, and I have kept it in 4 wheel. Maybe I'm not giving enough RPM's, I probably havent been much above 2000. Where do you normally run when working with the FEL?