Hydro or gear drive on a CK30??

To20Chris · Jul 11, 2004

I really like the shuttle, and wish it were syhcro (it's no big deal), but there are times I wish it were a STANDARD GEAR BOX ! Why? Sometimes when I'm changing diection, I want to change speed too, often I even want to change ranges. With a shuttle, changing speed and direction is 2 levers to operate, with an old fashioned gearbox it is just one. However, I like having the creepy crawler low gears in reverse that you get with shuttle - they are great for aligning implements, and for using that box blade in reverse!

Don't get me wrong, I don't find any of this to be a real problem - they each have advantages and you learn to deal with what you have. I have a small mountain of topsoil left over from the roughing in of the riding ring, and I've been working away at it with the LK. I am continually amazed at how competant the LK3054 is, it really can do a lot of work. And the more maintanence I do on it the more impressed I am with how well made it is.

SteveH_CT · Jul 11, 2004

Our tractors would be very similar in power - 1st off I have HST and I am very glad I got it. I haven't found the need to run anywhere near those RPM's unless I'm covering distance in high range. Generally for loader work I haven't needed to go over 2000 rpm, and I enjoy it about 1800rpm. For BH work It feels best around 1500 to 1800 as well. Too fast and the BH is hopping around - very jarring.

Good luck with the purchase - either way it should be a great size machine.

KiotiJohn · Jul 11, 2004

( Kiotijohn can you explain how the hourmeter works?I thought it would be based on reel time,not rpms )
Al, someone else can explain this better than I as I have forgotten so much of how that is based. The RPM of the tractor, as in an airplane, is based on the number of revolutions. The higher the RPM, the more "hours" are registered, faster. Do a test. Record the hour meter. Set the RPM on a tractor for 1500 and let it run for 15 minutes without a change. Then set the RPM for 2500 and let it run for 15 minutes while you brush hog or something. Check the hour meter again. You'll see that the same 15 minutes produces more time on the hour meter. As I said, someone else can explain, and maybe even tell you the name of the person who began that theory or operation. John

depratt_equip · Jul 12, 2004

KiotiJohn - The hour meters in the CK25's and 30 is digital so it should read actual hours.

As far as high RPMS and diesels not mixing, I wouldn't worry about that. This is what these engines are designed to do, as well as all the other compact tractor engines out there. Both the gear and HST units both require the same amount of RPM's for proper PTO speeds.

KiotiJohn · Jul 12, 2004

( KiotiJohn - The hour meters in the CK25's and 30 is digital so it should read actual hours. )
I think you should check out that statement a little further. Digital or not, it's still based on RPM. I tested that theory out early on after purchase. I can run at low RPM for much longer than one physical hour and only show tenths of an hour on the meter. The principal is the same, only the mode of display is different. John

DK35vince · Jul 12, 2004

( As far as high RPMS and diesels not mixing, I wouldn't worry about that. This is what these engines are designed to do, as well as all the other compact tractor engines out there. )

I agree with Jon.
Diesel engines have governers to protect themselves from to high RPM's.
Many of the diesel powered machines at work have a switch for the throttle, you are either at idle or hit the toggle switch and the are wide open throttle. There is no in between and they run this way all day every day for thousands of hours.

KiotiJohn · Jul 14, 2004

( I can run at low RPM for much longer than one physical hour and only show tenths of an hour on the meter. )
I just realized that this statement coming right after the part about digital displays didn't sound right, as I have an analog tach/hour meter. However, I do believe the digital still uses RPM, tach time, not Hobbs. John

RMAL · Jul 15, 2004

Thanks again guys ,all the information(real tractor use) is priceless.You can read numbers and specs all day long but its what happens in the field or woods that make sense.
If things go right ...a CK30 in my near future

Al

slowzuki · Jul 20, 2004

Well, PTO speed is usually up near rated speed of the engine. Running the PTO well under speed on bigger machines can lead to twisted driveshafts, broken shearpins and other damage.

Ken

( I have heard from diesel mechanics that rpm,s and diesels do not mix well. Al )

glsweet · Jul 20, 2004

By the way, no one mentioned the complexity of the Hydrostatic and the life expectancy of the hst over the gear. If you ever seen a hst tore down you would never buy one.
One 50 cent O-ring can cost you hundreds of dollars down the road. Just my opinion.