RK24 vs 37: Steep gravel driveway question

[jeff9366]

New to the forum, and looking at purchasing a RK24 or 37 to maintain my 20 wooded acres in southern Indiana. I have to maintain a gravel driveway with a 19 degree/35% slope, and am concerned if the 24 will be able to pull a box scraper up that angle without issue? Any thoughts from the group?

Other uses for the tractor are general firewood processing, brush hogging, trail maintenance, etc.

RK24, like other subcompact tractors, has only 9" of ground clearance. You will often high-center in woods. (5" hole + 4" tree branch = 9")

RK24, like other subcompact tractors, is available only with a two (2) range HST transmission, limiting power transfer to wheels at all times but especially when performing ground contact applications dragging up a slope.

Buy once, buy right. Minimally the RK37.



RK Tractors RK24H
2017 -
Sub-Compact Utility tractor
TYM built

Distributor: RK Tractors (a part of Rural King)
Manufacturer: TYM
Type: Sub-Compact Utility tractor
Original price: $10,499 (2017 )

RK Tractors RK24H Power
Engine (gross): 24 hp
17.9 kW
PTO (claimed): 18.8 hp
14.0 kW
RK Tractors RK24H Engine
Yanmar 1.3L 3-cyl diesel

Transmission
Type: hydrostatic (2-range)
Fuel tank: 5.8 gal
22.0 L

Mechanical
Chassis: 4x4 MFWD 4WD
Steering: power
Brakes: wet disc
Cab: Two-post ROPS.
RK Tractors RK24HHydraulics
Valves: 1
Pump flow: 4.18 gpm
15.8 lpm
Total flow: 6.95 gpm
26.3 lpm
Steering flow: 2.77 gpm
10.5 lpm
Tractor hitch
Rear Type: I
Control: position control
Rear lift (at ends): 1323 lbs
600 kg
Rear lift (at 24"/610mm): 1058 lbs
479 kg
Power Take-off (PTO)
Rear PTO: independent
Clutch: electro-hydraulic
Rear RPM: 540 (1.375)
Mid RPM: 2000
Dimensions & Tires
Wheelbase: 57.5 inches
146 cm
Weight: 1610 lbs
Ground clearance: 9.4 inches
RK Tractors RK24H attachments
60" mid-mount mower deck
front-end loader
Attachment details ...
Electrical
Ground: negative
Charging system: alternator
Charging amps: 40
Battery volts: 12
Page information
Last update: September 20, 2020
Copyright: Copyright 2020 TractorData LLC
Contact: Peter@TractorData.com


Five reasons owner/operators trade up from Subcompact Tractors:
More tractor weight.
More FEL lift capacity.
More ground clearance.
Three-range (3) HST (Lower LOW, Higher, HIGH) ~~ rather than two-range (2) HST.
More tractor power.

 

[Snowman754]

I have a RK55H open station and a 100 to 150 foot section that is an 11 degree grade. With a 6 foot box scrape the wheels will spin alot of times going uphill. (In 4 wheel with diff lock). I could use a for or 5 ft box I think with no prob.
In your case I think the other comments are correct. The steepest part won't get done uphill with any tractor. For the rest though I don't think the 24 will be very logical nor will you be happy with the 24.

 

[Ortimber]

Coming from a guy that bought two tractors that were too small, buy bigger than you think you’ll need.

 

[agjones]

And get the backhoe or rent an excavator to nudge the steep out of the driveway.

 

[Muhammad]

Use the money savings to get a small dozer like a magnatrac. Uphill on gravel will give you all kinds of challenges, be it traction or stability.

 

[fried1765]

Use the money savings to get a small dozer like a magnatrac. Uphill on gravel will give you all kinds of challenges, be it traction or stability.

When I was twelve I wanted a Magnatrac.
No more!

 

[Muhammad]

When I was twelve I wanted a Magnatrac.
No more!

They do look pretty cool when you're 12, don't they?

 

[fried1765]

They do look pretty cool when you're 12, don't they?

Oh .....how I wanted one of those!
Magazines had them advertised every month.
Still do...I think.

 

[agjones]

Muhammad makes a great point. I use two of the Magnatracs professionally and they are fantastic workers. In my trail building business these things are unbeatable.

 

[sleuth]

Minimally the RK37.

Would you say the same to someone on only 1 acre?

I have 1 acre on the bottom of a mountain, part of which is covered by a house. I have fences dividing the front and back yard, and the back yard into half. Part of the back yard is only accessible via a 10' gate and a 5' gate. I am wanting a subcompact for gardening and landscaping. I may buy more acreage in the future, but given the limitations on my lot size, I feel like the RK24 is about as big as I can go.