New CK27 HST

[Not Retired Yet]

After a very long time I finally have a tractor to help clear some land! Thanks everyone on answering all my questions over the past year. Especially thanks to Chip at ARTRAC. He delivered it early this week. I took a few days vacation to begin learning how to operate it. I got a new CK27 HST with toothbar, 4' grapple, 5' box blade, and 5' disk. I've got a lot to learn but from the 12-15 hours I put on it already I'm REALLY going to enjoy it!

Pushing over trees and picking them up sure beats cutting with a chainsaw, dragging with an atv, and straining muscles trying to pile them up!

 

[Mousefield]

Nice looking rig and you got a few attachments with it. Like the 4' grapple, :thumbsup: see in pic #3 & 4 you are giving it a good workout. Looks like you have fairly level land to play with. Have many happy and safe hours in the seat.

 

[VictorW]

Congratulations on the new toys. Work can actually be a little fun now. You look like you're pretty set with attachments to do all your jobs. I like your grapple. :thumbsup: Have fun and be safe.

 

[CowwFace]

Very Cool!!!

Something tells me we are cut from the same cloth ... you will love digging stumps out!

Be a bit careful pushing the trees over because the top 1/3 - 1/2 of the tree can break off (espically if you have to give her some "Ramming SPEED") and fold backwards thus falling directly on You and/or the tractor ... I'm not sure which would be worse... hehehe.

Tractor on!!

 

[Not Retired Yet]

Thanks! I've got about 13 acres and that small field is the only open or flat spot I have! It's already been a huge plus just being able to move and re-pile the burn stack. Still a lot to learn but I can't say enough about the tractor (or the dealership). I also got a hydraulic top and tilt which really helps with the box blade work.

 

[TractorTidy]

Couple of questions: How is the grapple plumbed in to the hydraulics? What brand grapple? Is the bucket a standard Kioti bucket? It looks larger. Where did the teeth come from?

Thanks.

 

[Coyote machine]

Nice rig and accessories!
Couple of cautions. Since what you showed is your flat spot be careful to not overload your grapple with too much load or too long lengths. Your boxblade gives you about 4-500 lbs. on the back end for ballast, BUT if you're ever on uneven ground you could have some tractor balance issues. So try cutting your lengths in 1/2 or 1/3 what you are currently carrying and bring the load as close to the ground as practical.
As to pushing over trees, especially spindly stuff like tall evergreens, etc.; I know a lot of excavators who won't do what you're attempting even with big machines and cabs- so be very careful- things can get way out of control and you could go over backwards in a worse case scenario. At an absolute minimum use a seat belt with ROPS up and a hardhat strapped to your head!

I used to do tree surgery professionally, so please realize the high potential for injury, or worst case death, from working with trees in an unsafe manner.

Otherwise go slow and enjoy your new workhorse(s).

 

[Spanky100]

After a very long time I finally have a tractor to help clear some land! Thanks everyone on answering all my questions over the past year. Especially thanks to Chip at ARTRAC. He delivered it early this week. I took a few days vacation to begin learning how to operate it. I got a new CK27 HST with toothbar, 4' grapple, 5' box blade, and 5' disk. I've got a lot to learn but from the 12-15 hours I put on it already I'm REALLY going to enjoy it!

Pushing over trees and picking them up sure beats cutting with a chainsaw, dragging with an atv, and straining muscles trying to pile them up!

Not Retired Yet
Looks like you have a great tractor with good attachments to start off. What brand Grapple do you have. Nice land to work or play.

Thanks for the great pictures that were even sized nice for our viewing.

Wayne

 

[Not Retired Yet]

The grapple is from CID Attachments and is electric over hydraulic. It's works well and very easy with the buttons to open/close. It allows for closing the grapple while rolling it back or raising it up. I believe it's the standard Kioti bucket but I don't remember where Chip got the toothbar.

I have the rear tires loaded but still prefer to move stuff as close to the ground as possible - but to get the tree's root ball past a waiting burn pile I had to raise it up... I'm all for slow and steady clearing stuff. Most of the trees I'll still have to chainsaw down and some will need pulled out with the atv before I can pick them up with the grapple. As I get more experience with the tractor and grapple I'll be able to do more with it (and do more comfortably). Glad you liked the pics!

 

[Milton Burro]

Congrats on your new tools. Just don't tell the wife how much fun it is.