CK20hst hill climb

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Where do you normally run when working with the FEL? )</font>
Depending on how fast I want the loader to move, between 2200 and 2600 RPM. Go ahead and run it up, just don't load it up so much that it lugs down and you'll be fine. Remember also to change to 2WD if you're working on hard surfaces such as asphalt or concrete.
John

 

[chelydra]

Thanks for the welcome. Great group! This beast is such a blast - if I ever actually catch up on necessities, I think I'll be making up a lot of new projects. Loader is easy when I remember to set aside my Bobcat reflexes. Starting to get smooth with the BH. I notice that some functions can be coordinated, while others are valved so it's one-or-the-other.

On hill climbing: I've tried to stay out of 4WD to avoid wear and strain, as warned in this list. I use high range only for fast transport; normally work on 2WD-low. I keep RPM around 2000 for most work, up to 2500 for heavy lifting. Careful to avoid lugging, so no actual stalls. But it really does slow down going up hills; much worse on wwod chips than on solid ground. maybe I'll get a few more hours (up to 17 now) before running full RPM and trying my main hill. It's about a 1:5 grade, I'm guessing; maybe even 1:4 at one point. But a TLB should be able to climb that when empty, right? When I rented a Bobcat T180, it scrambled right up with half a ton of dirt in the bucket, even at 2/3 power setting. I have not had problems with wheel spin (industrial tires), even in mud. On a couple of occasions when something slipped, pressing down the cross-lock pedal for a second got me right out. Great design!

Thanks again for all the useful tips.

-NBB

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( On hill climbing: I've tried to stay out of 4WD to avoid wear and strain, as warned in this list. )</font>
I think you'd reduce the wear and strain by not trying to go up the hills in 2WD, and you'll go up more safely as well. It's best to use 4 WD when climbing around on hills, and I doubt you'll be doing very much wear really. The only real problem is on hard asphalt or concrete surfaces where the fronts can't spin as they turn at a different rate than the rears. The hard surfaces could cause problems, but in dirt, no problem.
John

 

[RedRocker]

If I'm on dirt, I'm in 4WD, that's what it's made for. I think of it this way, it's more strain to put all the stress on one set of wheels when you have two sets to share the load. As far as wear and tear, I hope I live long enough to wear my tractor out. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif