See the Kioti?

KiotiJohn · Apr 26, 2005

Great job. Did you find that your mower was all you thought it would be? Could you have used anything a little larger, or is that the max you could go with grass that tall?

I know that was a lot of work for any smaller tractor, but the CK20 sure did a number on it. Probably need to talk her into letting you go over the whole thing again to really chop it all up finer!

Thanks for the pics. "Action" shots are the best.
John

JayC · Apr 26, 2005

Nice pics. I love action shots. How many acres was it that you cut?

getut · Apr 26, 2005

Last year after moving into our new house and getting my CK20, that is about the same height of the pasture grass when I cut it the first time. I have the 5' Kioti cutter and most of the time was able to maintain speed at about 3/4 pedal in low range on the hydro. When I got into some swampy areas, I would occasionally have to creep through and would have to back very slowly into some honeysuckle vines that were covering some apple trees.

I just cut it the first time this year and it was about 24" tall. I cut the 95% of the thing with full pedal in low range... only time I slowed down was when it got bumpy and that same swampy area that has something reeds growing in it that are hard to cut.

DirtHauler · Apr 26, 2005

KiotiJhon....Yes, the mower worked great. It's the Kioti 52" and as you know, the max for the CK20 is 60". I had to set it at about 4" because the grass was so tall and still wet from the rain, just to get it knocked down. About 75% of the job had to done in 2nd low @ about 2100 rpm, the "shorter" grass I could do in 3rd low @ about the same rpm. The only time it came close to stalling was when I hit a hidden mound of hard dirt but I always keep my hand on the 3 point lift lever and raised it a little till the rpm's picked back up. The owner has these lots mowed three to four times a season, I'll go back in 3 or 4 weeks and re-mow using the flail mower set @ 2" this will "chop" it up pretty good and probably a few mice too! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

JayC ...... It's 2 1/2 acres total. 2 one acre lots and a 1/2 acre lot that slops at a pretty good angle, I didn't do this one as it's a little "hairy" trying to go up and down a steep slope on very wet tall grass and soft ground, I'll attempt this later when it's dry /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

KiotiJohn · Apr 26, 2005

( I have the 5' Kioti cutter and most of the time was able to maintain speed at about 3/4 pedal in low range on the hydro. )
Robert, is that the rotary or finish mower? I have the 4' rotary mower, and have always felt that I could easily use the 5' even in tough stuff.
DIRTHAULER I don't blame you for staying off that wet slope. You might not have been able to post afterward if you had done it!
Once again, thanks for posting as I think it helps others to see just what a small frame CUT can do.
John

8Buzz8 · Apr 27, 2005

Nice pics DirtHauler, the CK20 certainly had the wood on that lot.
I bet she was also real glad to get her view back too!

Buzz.

getut · Apr 27, 2005

Actually both.. I have the 5' in both the finish mower and rotary cutter, but the rotary cutter was what I was talking about in that post.

KiotiJohn · Apr 27, 2005

( Actually both.. I have the 5' in both the finish mower and rotary cutter, but the rotary cutter was what I was talking about in that post. )
Thanks Robert. I'm glad to have confirmation that the 5' operates well on the CK20. Most people I know who have them are getting the 4', but could go up. Nice to know.
John

getut · Apr 27, 2005

One caveat though... I think it operates well on my CK20 because it is hydro and I can vary the pedal to the load. Up to approximately 2 foot tall grass I can run wide open throttle and 100% pedal and it does fine. Much more than that or an unusually thick patch and I have to back off the pedal. NC does have pretty lush grass so when I say an unusually thick patch I do mean THICK.

If I'm in thicker stuff that forces me to slow down I usually do it this way... start at mid throttle and get going.. bring it up to full throttle at a small load (3000 RPM) and then increase speed until it pulls the RPM down to around 2500-2600 RPM then back off the pedal just enough to maintain that level of load. I consider that my maximum forward speed for the conditions. Most of the time, in reality I can't even maintain that level of speed because of bumps.

DirtHauler · Apr 27, 2005

Just went and looked at another mowing job I'll be doing this weekend, another 2+ acres of over grown grass. This one I'll use the flail on so the owner can maintain it with his lawn tractor.
The other job, also this weekend, involves moving 10 yrds. of duck compost 150' up a hill with a 12+% grade (why do hills look steeper looking down then up?), spreading it on a garden plot then tilling it in. Any one know how long it will take to move 10 yrds. with a 48" bucket?
I will try to take pics and post of this "adventure"! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

~~~~ Norm