New CK20STD Owner with Questions

NHCK20 · May 25, 2006

I am the happy owner of a new CK20 std with the KL120 and KMR03-60! My only tractor experience is with my fathers 1953 Massey-Harris Pony, which he still uses!
So, I have a few questions:

With only 5 hours on the tractor, will it be o.k. to mow a 8-10 acre field. My dealer said to keep the RPMs at 2400-2500 for mowing (the fields have been mowed with garden tractors for years and kept like lawns). Should I take breaks to help "break-in" the tractor, or vary the RPMS?

Will it be o.k. to drive the tractor on the main road for 3 miles at 2,000 RPMs? Will this hurt the break-in of the motor and I have been told that driving on pavement will wear out the tires (it came with AG tires). I would be driving on the pavement only 2-3 times a year.

The break-in section of the manual was kind of limited.

I appreciate your help.

NHCK20 · May 25, 2006

I am the happy owner of a new CK20 std with the KL120 and KMR03-60! My only tractor experience is with my fathers 1953 Massey-Harris Pony, which he still uses!
So, I have a few questions:

With only 5 hours on the tractor, will it be o.k. to mow a 8-10 acre field. My dealer said to keep the RPMs at 2400-2500 for mowing (the fields have been mowed with garden tractors for years and kept like lawns). Should I take breaks to help "break-in" the tractor, or vary the RPMS?

Will it be o.k. to drive the tractor on the main road for 3 miles at 2,000 RPMs? Will this hurt the break-in of the motor and I have been told that driving on pavement will wear out the tires (it came with AG tires). I would be driving on the pavement only 2-3 times a year.

The break-in section of the manual was kind of limited.

I appreciate your help.

KiotiJohn · May 25, 2006

Have no worrys about running at PTO speed (where the 540 mark is on the tach), but you can vary it while you're mowing. In the lighter stuff, just lower them a bit, and go back up if you're in tough, tall stuff. Because it says an implement runs at 540 doesn't mean it HAS to be at that speed, but you don't want to go significantly higher or lower than that, as a GENERAL rule.

Going down the road at whatever speed you wish is not a big deal, except that you need to ensure that you ARE NOT IN 4WD, as hard surfaces and 4WD do not go together well on compact tractors. It will really wear your tires and also can cause gear damage to the front wheel drive assy.

Once again, vary the speed on your transports down the road.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to not drag the tractor's engine down a lot (lugging) as this is much more detrimental to the seating of new parts, and not a great idea afterward either.

When you hear the engine pulling down, just ease up on what you're doing and let the engine recover a bit.

Oh and BTW, I have that same sexually transmitted disease (STD), a Kioti CK20 (HST).

John

KiotiJohn · May 25, 2006

Have no worrys about running at PTO speed (where the 540 mark is on the tach), but you can vary it while you're mowing. In the lighter stuff, just lower them a bit, and go back up if you're in tough, tall stuff. Because it says an implement runs at 540 doesn't mean it HAS to be at that speed, but you don't want to go significantly higher or lower than that, as a GENERAL rule.

Going down the road at whatever speed you wish is not a big deal, except that you need to ensure that you ARE NOT IN 4WD, as hard surfaces and 4WD do not go together well on compact tractors. It will really wear your tires and also can cause gear damage to the front wheel drive assy.

Once again, vary the speed on your transports down the road.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to not drag the tractor's engine down a lot (lugging) as this is much more detrimental to the seating of new parts, and not a great idea afterward either.

When you hear the engine pulling down, just ease up on what you're doing and let the engine recover a bit.

Oh and BTW, I have that same sexually transmitted disease (STD), a Kioti CK20 (HST).

John

CBB · May 25, 2006

Welcome!

For pavement, make sure the four wheel drive is off. Pavement does wear on the tires but it is going to take YEARS to need replacement. Tractors are like tough and durable.

RPM's? Follow the manual. I have mowed at lower RPM's and just gone slower. From age 9 to 14, I was only allowed to operate the farm tractors at 1200 RPM--mowing or anything else and just use the gears to adjust.

CBB · May 25, 2006

Welcome!

For pavement, make sure the four wheel drive is off. Pavement does wear on the tires but it is going to take YEARS to need replacement. Tractors are like tough and durable.

RPM's? Follow the manual. I have mowed at lower RPM's and just gone slower. From age 9 to 14, I was only allowed to operate the farm tractors at 1200 RPM--mowing or anything else and just use the gears to adjust.

KiotiJohn · May 25, 2006

( From age 9 to 14, I was only allowed to operate the farm tractors at 1200 RPM--mowing or anything else and just use the gears to adjust. )
Shoot Cbb, when I was that age 1200 was almost PTO speed!
John

KiotiJohn · May 25, 2006

( From age 9 to 14, I was only allowed to operate the farm tractors at 1200 RPM--mowing or anything else and just use the gears to adjust. )
Shoot Cbb, when I was that age 1200 was almost PTO speed!
John

CBB · May 25, 2006

( ( From age 9 to 14, I was only allowed to operate the farm tractors at 1200 RPM--mowing or anything else and just use the gears to adjust. )
Shoot Cbb, when I was that age 1200 was almost PTO speed!
John )

Oh yes...I recall reading about those first steam engines. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

CBB · May 25, 2006

( ( From age 9 to 14, I was only allowed to operate the farm tractors at 1200 RPM--mowing or anything else and just use the gears to adjust. )
Shoot Cbb, when I was that age 1200 was almost PTO speed!
John )

Oh yes...I recall reading about those first steam engines. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif