Is this normal?

[Dmace]

photo 3 - New loaded down CK 27 HST Tractor on incline - H range did not work here - No noises about 1800 to 2000 rpms

That hill doesn't look that bad, I bet even with the backhoe mounted I could make it up that with my little CK20 in High. If you are going to be using High gear then you should be running at around 2400+ rpms. I typically run at about 2600rpms which is where the PTO is at 540rpms. You know they designed these diesel engines to run optimally at that rpm figuring that is where most would be.

So, crank up those rpms a little and slowly engage the HST pedal increasing pressure as you speed up. Also, run in 2wd until you need the 4wd. You will find that makes High gear easier too. 2wd with the locking differential works great for 90% of my work. 4wd is pretty much for snow blowing and pushing snow here.

 

[jimmyj]

Congrats on your new tractor. You are going to love it. As many others have said, I only use H for travel on flat ground. Even that minor hill in your photo would be L or M for me.

 

[VictorW]

In picture 3, you should be able to go up in high but as mentioned, try 2,500 rpm and slowly depressing the pedal. Picture 4, definately no high range for that grade or you have a turbo CK27.

 

[steve0413]

Not trying to be smart, but did you say you pressing in the CLUTCH in the original post? I'm not familiar with HST's having clutches. Otherwise, I'm with the rest on here in that I use H for road gear only.

And much congrats on the new tractor. Don't be surprised if the hours add up much quicker than you intended.

 

[KubieTwo]

You may be completely aware of the concepts below, but to cover the bases, I decided to throw this in the mix. None of the replies specifically cover that the HST pedal is not an accelerator, rather is linked to a hydraulic pump which feeds a hydraulic motor. You effectively have 3 "ranges" with an infinite "gear range" within each range if you use the HST pedal correctly. The harder you push the pedal the more VOLUME of hydraulic fluid you push, which equates to a higher "gear." As you hit an incline, at the point that you start losing engine rpm, release the HST pedal to increase the PRESSURE and decrease volume. The rpm will come up, the tractor speed will probably drop, but you should keep moving. This is no different than had you changed to a lower gear with a gear transmission. Many people expect to maintain tractor speed on an incline in high range, but they most often expect too much. Resist the urge to "give it more gas" with the HST pedal. That is counterproductive for reasons explained above.

I have a lower horsepower Kubota than your tractor, with a backhoe no less, and I can climb a fairly steep hill in high range with a bucket of dirt as long as I heel back as necessary to keep the rpm up. I keep the engine loaded to keep the governor open, but don't let it pull down. The tractor slows down but I do not have to change ranges, which overall saves time. I do this at about 2200 rpm, so I am not running full rpm and I get a lot of work done by fine tuning HST volume versus pressure.

I hope this helps. HST use is the same, regardless of brand, so this is applicable to almost anything except the Kubota HST-Plus type setups. They were designed to make it easier for those who have difficulty making the transition from automobile automatic transmissions to an hst, which ISN'T an automatic transmission, and requires a different operating technique. I have an almost 40 year old Wheel Horse HST that I successfully operate the same way as I do my B7510.

You will eventually find what works for you.

 

[Dmace]

Not trying to be smart, but did you say you pressing in the CLUTCH in the original post? I'm not familiar with HST's having clutches.

I believe all tractors have clutches but may be wrong. I know the Kioti's all do, even the HST models. The clutch is used to start the tractor, switch ranges, and engage the mid and rear PTO's. The clutch pedal is on the left side (sitting on the tractor) and the HST and Brake pedals are on the right.

Note that I said the clutch is used to ENGAGE the PTO's and not DIS-ENGAGE. Unless you need the over-run clutch to slow down an implement like a rear mower or post hole digger, you are better off just sliding the lever to OFF instead of pushing in the clutch. If you do depress the clutch while the PTO is engaged then you will hear a loud clanking noise that sounds like something is broken but that is normal.

 

[steve0413]

I believe all tractors have clutches but may be wrong. I know the Kioti's all do, even the HST models. The clutch is used to start the tractor, switch ranges, and engage the mid and rear PTO's. The clutch pedal is on the left side (sitting on the tractor) and the HST and Brake pedals are on the right.

Note that I said the clutch is used to ENGAGE the PTO's and not DIS-ENGAGE. Unless you need the over-run clutch to slow down an implement like a rear mower or post hole digger, you are better off just sliding the lever to OFF instead of pushing in the clutch. If you do depress the clutch while the PTO is engaged then you will hear a loud clanking noise that sounds like something is broken but that is normal.

Interesting. My DK45SE has the brakes on the left and the HST pedals on the right. No clutch.

 

[Dmace]

Interesting. My DK45SE has the brakes on the left and the HST pedals on the right. No clutch.

'

I should have specified, I believe all CK's have clutches.

 

[Mousefield]

I have a clutch on the left side of my 2008 CK35 HST.

 

[Yota_85]

You may be completely aware of the concepts below, but to cover the bases, I decided to throw this in the mix. None of the replies specifically cover that the HST pedal is not an accelerator, rather is linked to a hydraulic pump which feeds a hydraulic motor. You effectively have 3 "ranges" with an infinite "gear range" within each range if you use the HST pedal correctly. The harder you push the pedal the more VOLUME of hydraulic fluid you push, which equates to a higher "gear." As you hit an incline, at the point that you start losing engine rpm, release the HST pedal to increase the PRESSURE and decrease volume. The rpm will come up, the tractor speed will probably drop, but you should keep moving. This is no different than had you changed to a lower gear with a gear transmission. Many people expect to maintain tractor speed on an incline in high range, but they most often expect too much. Resist the urge to "give it more gas" with the HST pedal. That is counterproductive for reasons explained above.

I have a lower horsepower Kubota than your tractor, with a backhoe no less, and I can climb a fairly steep hill in high range with a bucket of dirt as long as I heel back as necessary to keep the rpm up. I keep the engine loaded to keep the governor open, but don't let it pull down. The tractor slows down but I do not have to change ranges, which overall saves time. I do this at about 2200 rpm, so I am not running full rpm and I get a lot of work done by fine tuning HST volume versus pressure.

I hope this helps. HST use is the same, regardless of brand, so this is applicable to almost anything except the Kubota HST-Plus type setups. They were designed to make it easier for those who have difficulty making the transition from automobile automatic transmissions to an hst, which ISN'T an automatic transmission, and requires a different operating technique. I have an almost 40 year old Wheel Horse HST that I successfully operate the same way as I do my B7510.

You will eventually find what works for you.

All are not the same. I also had a 2-speed B7610 that'd go anywhere in H (with full bucket). With my DK35se it won't do jack in High. It is strictly for transport. The issue is that Med is geared too low. Could have been geared a little higher to be more useful. I live on a hilly 13 acre property and am constantly shifting from M to H. It's either that or keep in Med and take a nap in between work locations.

Good tractor besides, and works great on level ground, hills are a PITA.