Update to purchase

[gunny0628]

It’s been about a week maybe a little more since the delivery of my 55HC. I won’t write too much because I’m still aching from this summer cold - the older you get the more it feels like it comes from inside your bones.

I’ve put about 19 hours on the tractor. I’ve mowed about 8 acres, 3 with the finish mower and 5 with the brush hog. I like either one really. We have really strong Bahia grass here and it’s thick. But both provide a great cut. I sheared my first shear bolt the first day running the finish mower. Now I’ve got a steady supply of grade 2, stainless and grade 5 to last quite a while. It was totally my fault that it sheared. Thankfully nothing more than the bolt broke and it did its job. I have a slip clutch on the brush hog, hopefully that will hold up.

I mounted a fire extinguisher on the inside of the cab behind the seat. Something I think should be standard, but like boats, the stuff you think they should have (flares, etc), they don’t.



I’ve used the grapple for a pretty large tree and I’ve built up my burn pile so now I have to get burning. It’s easy to add to the pile when you have the tools.

I’ve stored the tractor under an overhang where our mower, gas and hay (great fixings for a fire) are kept, because it’s the only place out of the weather until the carport is built.



The attachments are on pallets on the side of the barn and covered with tarps for now. Everything is staying pretty dry, even with these every day afternoon showers.

I put the dual camera backup camera on the tractor. I love the rear facing camera. The company is sending me a replacement camera for the front because there is some sort of interference. I’ve glued magnets to the mounting brackets so that I can place the forward facing camera on each attachment. The rear camera pretty much faces down at toward the implement that’s attached. I keep it on that screen when I’m mowing and I feel like I can keep an eye on things.

I’m really happy with the tractor so far. The implements are nice, but I feel like the red over goldish paint was a little cheesy. I like the red paint and it’s definitely cheaper to spray over it but whoever is doing the painting did a horrible job. It’s everywhere. Keep in mind this is just on the implements.

The ride is tight and I like it. It feels a little wobbly or top heavy, but I’m just not used to a tractor this large or with big tires. It will just take some getting used to. But the cab is just really nice. And the seat makes up for a lot.

There’s a little noise in the steering. I’ll ask about that tomorrow when I go pick up my carry all. I’ve been waiting for that to come in so I can make something to carry some yard tools on - chainsaw, weedeater, spray tanks, etc.

I’m thinking about tinting the windows. This thing is a huge bubble and I don’t live in the woods. During the day it gets hot. The air conditioner is just awesome. But I think with a little window tint, it would be cooler and I may not need my sunglasses. It’s a lot of glass so we will see.

And the only other thing I did was the grill/brush guard. Which I already started a thread.

Anyways - overall, for the money I spent on everything, I couldn’t be happier. I hope I feel the same way in about six months.

 

[Pecan Farming]

You will like the tractor even more in 6 months. I have the exact same set up. The grapple is awesome as I am sure you have figured out by now. I am on the fence about tinting the windows. I think I would like in the middle of the day but not in the evening or at night. I used to have some woods before hurricane Michael came to town, hence my love of the grapple to clean things up around the farm. Congratulations.

 

[markie61]

The attachments are on pallets on the side of the barn and covered with tarps for now.

For the past 20 years, I've kept most of my implements (and almost anything that was heavy) on pallets. Best way to deal with these bulky items and keep them off the ground. I find that tarps and other watertight materials hold in moisture and increase corrosion, so I don't let them go to the ground - I leave some room for ventilation.

The ride is tight and I like it. It feels a little wobbly or top heavy, but I’m just not used to a tractor this large or with big tires.

My NH is of similar size, but the ride on the RK is definitely choppier. Could be the beet juice, could be the cab adds more weight higher up, dunno - it just does.

There’s a little noise in the steering.

I noticed that whenever I turn, the hydraulics "hiss" compared to the NH, which just makes the "hydraulic working" sound.

I appreciate your updates and user comments. The best thing about forums is bouncing stuff off of each other, like "this idea makes my tractor better" or "my tractor does this and I'm not sure that's normal - does yours?", etc.

 

[Pecan Farming]

For the past 20 years, I've kept most of my implements (and almost anything that was heavy) on pallets. Best way to deal with these bulky items and keep them off the ground. I find that tarps and other watertight materials hold in moisture and increase corrosion, so I don't let them go to the ground - I leave some room for ventilation.


My NH is of similar size, but the ride on the RK is definitely choppier. Could be the beet juice, could be the cab adds more weight higher up, dunno - it just does.


I noticed that whenever I turn, the hydraulics "hiss" compared to the NH, which just makes the "hydraulic working" sound.

I appreciate your updates and user comments. The best thing about forums is bouncing stuff off of each other, like "this idea makes my tractor better" or "my tractor does this and I'm not sure that's normal - does yours?", etc.

When I first got mine it was a rough ride as well. I checked the air pressure in the front tires and it was 35psi. I lower this to 25psi and it made a big difference in the ride. I tested the front tires out to make sure I could still pick up a heavy load without bagging the tires at 25psi. I have no problems and can pickup heavy loads and still have a nicer ride. It made a huge difference in ride.

 

[fried1765]

It’s been about a week maybe a little more since the delivery of my 55HC. I won’t write too much because I’m still aching from this summer cold - the older you get the more it feels like it comes from inside your bones.

I’ve put about 19 hours on the tractor. I’ve mowed about 8 acres, 3 with the finish mower and 5 with the brush hog. I like either one really. We have really strong Bahia grass here and it’s thick. But both provide a great cut. I sheared my first shear bolt the first day running the finish mower. Now I’ve got a steady supply of grade 2, stainless and grade 5 to last quite a while. It was totally my fault that it sheared. Thankfully nothing more than the bolt broke and it did its job. I have a slip clutch on the brush hog, hopefully that will hold up.

I mounted a fire extinguisher on the inside of the cab behind the seat. Something I think should be standard, but like boats, the stuff you think they should have (flares, etc), they don’t.

View attachment 615318

I’ve used the grapple for a pretty large tree and I’ve built up my burn pile so now I have to get burning. It’s easy to add to the pile when you have the tools.

I’ve stored the tractor under an overhang where our mower, gas and hay (great fixings for a fire) are kept, because it’s the only place out of the weather until the carport is built.

View attachment 615319

The attachments are on pallets on the side of the barn and covered with tarps for now. Everything is staying pretty dry, even with these every day afternoon showers.

I put the dual camera backup camera on the tractor. I love the rear facing camera. The company is sending me a replacement camera for the front because there is some sort of interference. I’ve glued magnets to the mounting brackets so that I can place the forward facing camera on each attachment. The rear camera pretty much faces down at toward the implement that’s attached. I keep it on that screen when I’m mowing and I feel like I can keep an eye on things.

I’m really happy with the tractor so far. The implements are nice, but I feel like the red over goldish paint was a little cheesy. I like the red paint and it’s definitely cheaper to spray over it but whoever is doing the painting did a horrible job. It’s everywhere. Keep in mind this is just on the implements.

The ride is tight and I like it. It feels a little wobbly or top heavy, but I’m just not used to a tractor this large or with big tires. It will just take some getting used to. But the cab is just really nice. And the seat makes up for a lot.

There’s a little noise in the steering. I’ll ask about that tomorrow when I go pick up my carry all. I’ve been waiting for that to come in so I can make something to carry some yard tools on - chainsaw, weedeater, spray tanks, etc.

I’m thinking about tinting the windows. This thing is a huge bubble and I don’t live in the woods. During the day it gets hot. The air conditioner is just awesome. But I think with a little window tint, it would be cooler and I may not need my sunglasses. It’s a lot of glass so we will see.

And the only other thing I did was the grill/brush guard. Which I already started a thread.

Anyways - overall, for the money I spent on everything, I couldn’t be happier. I hope I feel the same way in about six months.

Fire extinguishers anywhere are ALWAYS a good idea.
Fire extinguishers with plastic valve handles are NEVER a good idea!
If the manufacturer had been required to install an extinguisher, a metal handle one would have likely been required by law.

 

[gunny0628]

Fire extinguishers anywhere are ALWAYS a good idea.
Fire extinguishers with plastic valve handles are NEVER a good idea!
If the manufacturer had been required to install an extinguisher, a metal handle one would have likely been required by law.

I’ll look for one with a metal handle. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[gunny0628]

When I first got mine it was a rough ride as well. I checked the air pressure in the front tires and it was 35psi. I lower this to 25psi and it made a big difference in the ride. I tested the front tires out to make sure I could still pick up a heavy load without bagging the tires at 25psi. I have no problems and can pickup heavy loads and still have a nicer ride. It made a huge difference in ride.

I may try this in the front tires as well. I have so many bumps and uneven ground, when I mow the tractor just feels like it’s going to tip over. Obviously I’m really cautious right now, and I’m sure in a few months I’ll learn even more how it handles and I’ll get used to it.

 

[gunny0628]

For the past 20 years, I've kept most of my implements (and almost anything that was heavy) on pallets. Best way to deal with these bulky items and keep them off the ground. I find that tarps and other watertight materials hold in moisture and increase corrosion, so I don't let them go to the ground - I leave some room for ventilation.


My NH is of similar size, but the ride on the RK is definitely choppier. Could be the beet juice, could be the cab adds more weight higher up, dunno - it just does.


I noticed that whenever I turn, the hydraulics "hiss" compared to the NH, which just makes the "hydraulic working" sound.

I appreciate your updates and user comments. The best thing about forums is bouncing stuff off of each other, like "this idea makes my tractor better" or "my tractor does this and I'm not sure that's normal - does yours?", etc.

So my implements are off the ground but I have one large tarp - like seriously huge, 65 feet long and heavy duty, that is covering everything except the brush hog/rotary cutter. That has its own tarp.

So my other project today is to figure out a way to get some ventilation under the tarps.

 

[gunny0628]

So my implements are off the ground but I have one large tarp - like seriously huge, 65 feet long and heavy duty, that is covering everything except the brush hog/rotary cutter. That has its own tarp.

So my other project today is to figure out a way to get some ventilation under the tarps.