Price Check Price check and review on CK20 TLB

[IslandTractor]

CK20 in "den" with big brothers prior to emigration to far off island.

PS: Harvard Outdoor Power in Harvard MA was very friendly and helpful as a dealer.

 

[IslandTractor]

Safe arrival at new home

 

[IslandTractor]

30 minutes after arrival on the island, the first stump is delivered (note: operator still working on technique but backhoe seems powerful and very well suited to CK20)

 

[IslandTractor]

The first change over from backhoe to bush hog was a bit too exciting.... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. With the engine off, I had flipped the backhoe seat up to get at the attachment pins on the subframe and did not realize it left the seat pushing on the control sticks. I started the engine to pull slightly away from the backhoe and I couldn't figure out why I wasn't moving forward.... then /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I realized I was moving UP /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif! The backhoe had lifted the rear of the tractor 12 inches off the ground. I was on a tripod and rising. I had no idea what was happening at this point, but I can, in retrospect, acknowledge that this was my initiation moment for "pucker factor". I shut off the engine, jumped off the tractor and surveyed the situation (pucker factor withdrawl syndrome clouded my thought process so I forgot to obtain a photo of the exact moment). I then realized the seat had been resting on the controls and the backhoe had lifted the tractor. I slowly lowed the beast to the ground (without power). It was a dangerous situation for a newbie and one I had not seen discussed previously on TBN /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. Here is a photo (reenactment) of the seat hitting control levers. Has anyone else experienced this event?? Seems to me that the ability of the flipped up seat to activate the BH controls is literally an accident waiting to happen. OSHA??

 

[IslandTractor]

OK, I survived removing the backhoe and 30 minutes later managed my first ever 3pt hitch attachment to the Bush Hog. I said attachment....adjustment took a while longer as I figured out the mysteries of 3pt geometry. I was able to plow some really nice furrows in the meadow before coming close to getting the thing adjusted properly (who knew it could be angled sideways once raised from the resting ground position) /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Live and learn. Once adjusted it worked very well at clearing brush. Not sure yet if it is civilized enough or I am good enough to use it instead of a finish mower to cut the lawn area around the house. We'll see.

Although the CK20/Bush Hog was very effective, after 3 hours use I was wondering if I should have bought a PowerTrac. Looking over your shoulder all the time and backing into brush is tiresome. Once I get the area cleared I will be able to drive forwards to keep it mown however. Otherwise I will need to include a neck massage as part of the operating costs of bush hogging.

 

[JayC]

Nice set of photos! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

<font color="orange"> It was a dangerous situation for a newbie and one I had not seen discussed previously on TBN . </font>

It wasn't too long ago I saw a couple similar posts. I don't think it was Kioti related, though. I can't remember where I saw it. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

With all that stuff, were you able to drive the 3 miles in HI? How long did that take?

 

[IslandTractor]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( With all that stuff, were you able to drive the 3 miles in HI? How long did that take? )</font>

I could drive in Hi except when going up hills. To give you an idea of what kind of hill, I can drive the hill with my Nissan Pathfinder in 3rd gear but not 4th.

 

[cag]

Ed congratulation on the Ck20 and thanks for the many pics /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif...cag

 

[sodamo]

Great photos. I think Kiotis make terrific island tractors /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif)

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Seems to me that the ability of the flipped up seat to activate the BH controls is literally an accident waiting to happen. OSHA?? )</font>
I hate to say it, but it's pretty obvious that if you put something up against the control levers, they'll get pushed!! Sorry, but I saw that right away on mine the first time.
Are you using a remote hookup for the backhoe, or running off the power beyond on the main valve? You didn't mention having to move the PB lever over on the main valve when you changed over to the brush hog, so I guess maybe you have a remote?
John