Now I have done it! What a mess!

[k0ua]

You know, I always thought the treadle made more sense, but after sitting on one I think I might prefer the two pedal system. Of course, I haven't actually driven either one yet. Next week!

How would you compare the HST operation itself (pedal system aside) vs the L3400?

Less whine in the Kioti, less diesel noise, seems to be a higher faster reving motor. More torque available in Med range, Havent tried Hi range yet. That is usually just road gear for flat smooth roads. Both work well, they are just different, but the Kioti seems to have more "guts" than its 2 horsepower difference would suggest. If you drive one, you will not want to let it go..That much I will warn you right now.

James K0UA

 

[radrock]

I got about 2 hours of seat time, today before the rain, but I had to modify my old Kubota bucket to fit the Kioti, I cut out the angle piece in the center of the bucket I had left when I put the SSQA plate on, but with the Kioti one lever system on the SSQA it hit the one lever linkage.. Was never a problem with the Kubota as it used the 2 levers.. when I got the welds ground out, and the piece of steel removed, the stupid thing was too tight for the retainer latches to break over center and latch down. So I ground out the notches in the SSQA plate a bit so it would fit. It was always tight even on the Kubota, but would work, but not with the Kioti. Anyway I got it on and going now, so that I have 2 buckets again, the new wide Kioti bucket and my "beater" narrow bucket for digging and general abuse. I also worked on my ballast barrell a bit to make it easier to hookup the toplink, I cut it all the way up so the toplink could just lay down from the top now without having to "thread it through the hole. I also protected the edges with some split tubing I made out of some tubing. I then cut about 4 inches off of the drawbar That thing just stuck out way too long to suit me, and would not have been able to keep a clevis on it as it would have hit the ballast barrell. The bandsaw made short work of that, and finished the edges with a flap disk to remove the sharp edges. The it started to rain, and I went in and took a nap

James K0UA

I hear you on the nap hahaha. Sounds like you do a little welding. I wish I could but too old to learn now. My Massey has an extremely too high ROPS. I took the top part off yesterday. I am going to have a shorter top made. Can't get it in the garage and when it's folded back I run into the **** thing all of the time. thought maybe I broke my nose once. And when standing up it leans forward and it catches every tree limb you drive under and drags them on top of your head. It sure was nice mowing thought. You said you have a two pedal Hydro on this? Is this side by side or front and rear? Mine is side by side and I love it. I wouldn't have anything but a hydro tractor now. It is so nice for mowing and even digging with the bucket. It's raining here for the second time today. It looks to be slowing down now. You have a good evening! George

 

[k0ua]

I hear you on the nap hahaha. Sounds like you do a little welding. I wish I could but too old to learn now. My Massey has an extremely too high ROPS. I took the top part off yesterday. I am going to have a shorter top made. Can't get it in the garage and when it's folded back I run into the **** thing all of the time. thought maybe I broke my nose once. And when standing up it leans forward and it catches every tree limb you drive under and drags them on top of your head. It sure was nice mowing thought. You said you have a two pedal Hydro on this? Is this side by side or front and rear? Mine is side by side and I love it. I wouldn't have anything but a hydro tractor now. It is so nice for mowing and even digging with the bucket. It's raining here for the second time today. It looks to be slowing down now. You have a good evening! George

Hi George, yes it is side by side pedals. I doubt you are too old to learn to weld, get a DC stick machine and some 7014 and start laying beads.. or a MIG if you have more money. It is empowering, the ability to "glue" metal together, and fix holes, and put metal back when you take too much off. It is such a feeling of accomplishment. I highly recommend it! I am 57, and kinda nerdy, If I can weld you can weld.:thumbsup:

James K0UA

 

[LD1]

Hi George, yes it is side by side pedals. I doubt you are too old to learn to weld, get a DC stick machine and some 7014 and start laying beads.. or a MIG if you have more money. It is empowering, the ability to "glue" metal together, and fix holes, and put metal back when you take too much off. It is such a feeling of accomplishment. I highly recommend it! I am 57, and kinda nerdy, If I can weld you can weld.:thumbsup:

James K0UA

Speaking of welding.......


So when you gonna burn some paint off that new kioti Bucket hooks????? FEL trailer hitch????? Extra skid plates?????

Any mods panned for her yet?

 

[k0ua]

Speaking of welding.......


So when you gonna burn some paint off that new kioti Bucket hooks????? FEL trailer hitch????? Extra skid plates?????

Any mods panned for her yet?

Was just thinking about that, I have the hooks, and will weld them on soon. I gotta check out the top of the Kioti OEM bucket, and see if it is strong enough by itself, or needs a little help.. I need to find some paint that matches pretty close too. I whacked off 4 inches of the draw bar today, and used some "ford dark gray" it wasn't even close.

James K0UA

 

[LD1]

Was just thinking about that, I have the hooks, and will weld them on soon. I gotta check out the top of the Kioti OEM bucket, and see if it is strong enough by itself, or needs a little help..

James K0UA

It probabally needs a little help. A few hundred lbs of reinforcement to the bucket, a few more lbs for a baseplate for the hook, then the hook.........yep, that should get you back down to a lift capacity you are used to and comfortable with:laughing:

 

[k0ua]

It probabally needs a little help. A few hundred lbs of reinforcement to the bucket, a few more lbs for a baseplate for the hook, then the hook.........yep, that should get you back down to a lift capacity you are used to and comfortable with:laughing:

I kept the Carters off of the Kubota, but I don't think I am going to need them as it has the telescoping links and sway bars.. I have hooked up a couple of times. and not much trouble. Oh, that rear 3pt handle back there is kinda cool too when you are hooking up!

James K0UA

 

[Martian]

Congrats on the tractor! :thumbsup:

But I am wondering what is going on with the avatar and signature?? They aren't going well together:laughing:

 

[k0ua]

Congrats on the tractor! :thumbsup:

But I am wondering what is going on with the avatar and signature?? They aren't going well together:laughing:

Well I have been thinking about that, but I hate it when other people change their avatar, because you start to recognize them by their avatar and it messes you up for a while. But I realize it is a mismatch, I am just not sure what to put in and I have only had it for a day. I was thinking I would wait until I have some cool picture then put that as the avatar.. what do you all think?

James K0UA

 

[MossflowerWoods]

James,

I have 2 hooks welded straight ontop the bucket.

I believe I was one of the guys telling you to use the triumphant stump pic as your avatar, but dude, the times they are a changing and you need to change the avatar.

Just do it, it will feel good!

Be well,

David