CK 20 - More power?

[lcisled]

First off - this is not a thread to complain about the CK20H.

Overall, this is not a bad tractor. I would just love to have about 5 more hp for PTO implements. Looked to trade it for same size chassis, more power and I constantly get told it is a throw away tractor (only worth $6500, etc.) and they want $10K to trade. I can sure do a lot with a wrench for 1-3 K for add ons and get what I want.

Anybody ever thought of doing some changes to the motor to get more power out of it?
Obviously I am out of warranty and thinking of doing some tinkering to get more power. Wondering if anybody here thought about pump improvements, etc. Something along the same lines that happens to diesel pickups,etc.

What made me think of it is that when looking at different makes of tractors they use the same size motor and put out different power (JD 3120, JD 3320, JD 3520, JD3720).

If you have something constructive, I would love to hear it. If you don't, please keep it to yourself. I know they set them up from the factory, blah, blah, blah. I know any more power and I will tear the driveline out of it, blah, blah, blah. I am willing to pay the price to get some more out of it in a custom type of way.

Anybody tried it and found different injectors, pumps, etc. somewhere that I can try?

 

[plastikosmd]

good question...wish i had an answer...I think the 3320 (one I own) is a bit different than the others listed...I remember looking into that..it has a slighly more displacement..but less power than the 35/37. I chose that cause I tend to run at less than PTO RPM. The higher HP models are smaller but have turbos, one small, one bigger. (This is from memory..and maybe bit off.) There are some here that have added turbos to not-turbo engines. It does seem to take some work. It may not be the easiest but big on the cool factor.

 

[dfkrug]

I can sure do a lot with a wrench for 1-3 K for add ons and get what I want.

That is a good sized budget.....I think you should consider turbo charging it.
There are a number of threads on TBN about just that subject and some
posters have successfully done it to various makes of CUT.

As long as you don't go nuts with over say, 10psi of boost, you should be
OK. You will prob need to go up in injector flow before you reach that
boost, however. You should be able to get 25% better power with a
conservative set-up.

The CK20 is an excellent tractor, but I agree it needs more power. If you
decide to sell it, don't trade it in!

 

[Gittyup]

Hmmm..... You're talking a lot of work and expense to get a few more hp out of that tractor. Trading it in is a losing proposition. A Kioti dealer would give you the best trade in value, I'd think.

Me, I'd sell it privately and buy what I really need. If you want to stay in that size frame, there are few choices that will give you more hp: some kubotas, deeres, and the TYM T273. The TYM is a very nicely sized machine, but will also suffer in the resale value game. Just be deliberate and make sure you get enough tractor the second time round so you're not facing the resale value dilemma again.

If you do decide to turbo or whatever, it will be interesting to follow. Please post your progress for all of us to read. Good luck.

 

[IH3444]

One of the quickest, easiest ways to get MORE POWER is to just change all fluids to high quality synthetic fluids. The next step I would investigate is find out the injection timing, and if possible advance it a bit. Next step is of course to have the injection pump recalibrated, and install a bit larger injector nozzles, or larger injectors. Then there is the turbo route, but turboed engines usually have a different piston, especially the top of the piston is configured for a turbo. Hope this helps. I would figure with just the oil changes, a 1hp gain engine wise, but an additional 1hp pto gain also. Good luck. Use power service also, it boosts the centa rating of diesel fuel.

 

[Tim M]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/109307-increasing-horsepower.html

 

[lcisled]

Thanks for the replies.
As I said, I looked at the other tractors - all are either wider or longer wheelbase, do not have the options (position control vs. quarter inching, no independent circuit for the rear hydraulics, lower ground clearance, etc.), and then they think they want $10K to trade (or 18-20K to buy outright if I did sell my tractor-after what I bought this for, they are not showing me the value).
So, to be truthful, that option is out, not only for the money, but the undesirable options on the other tractors.

I can go synthetics, but not sure that is going to get me where I want to go.

We have a good diesel injection shop near here. I am thinking about taking it there and having them give it a tune and a boost if possible.

A turbo would be the step after that, but I am not sure I want to go there.

Anybody done any mods and know where to get parts (bigger injectors, turbos, intercoolers, etc)?

 

[Gittyup]

Thanks for the replies.
As I said, I looked at the other tractors - all are either wider or longer wheelbase, do not have the options (position control vs. quarter inching, no independent circuit for the rear hydraulics, lower ground clearance, etc.), and then they think they want $10K to trade (or 18-20K to buy outright if I did sell my tractor-after what I bought this for, they are not showing me the value).

I don't think this is true for the TYM T273. New with loader were being sold recently for under $11K. The wheelbase is about 10" SHORTER than the CK20. Better specs in just about all areas over the CK20. They have true position control too. Not sure about rear hydraulics; I think one set of rear remotes are standard. PTO is electric over hydro like the DK's. Hydro tranny, QA loader, and mid PTO are all standard.

But, what about buying used? For example, a used TYM is for sale near me with just 75 hours. They are asking $8500. Sell yours and find one of these for near even money. Also, Montana sells this same tractor under their badge. Not many other brands that fit the same characteristics as the CK20, though.

Wish I could offer suggestions on increasing HP of the CK20. I just don't know how. I may be naive, but I'm doubtful you'll be able to get what you want/need with mods and add-ons.

 

[jimmyj]

To me, sell it private and buy larger. Mod's will never make you as happy as a bigger tractor and seem like a lot of effort. They might cause it to lose resale too as that sort of thing scares me away from stuff. I don't know exactly what work you want to do, maybe if you shared some folks would have alternate ideas for your issues outside of more HP.

On the other hand, maybe it will increase the resale appeal. Tough time to have to sell or trade.

Good luck.

 

[IslandTractor]

I did a DK40se modification to my CK20 which doubled the power and got 250% upgrade in loader power at the same time. For directions on how to do this modification just give your dealer a call.

 

[IXLR8]

I did a DK40se modification to my CK20 which doubled the power and got 250% upgrade in loader power at the same time. For directions on how to do this modification just give your dealer a call.

I want to do the same upgrade to my CK30, but the checking account just laughs at me.

 

[lcisled]

I looked at the TYM. Everything is cool with the exception of the ground clearance. 4" is a big deal as I jump curves to get onto lots for ground prep. You did catch me off guard with the price. I was under the assumption they were trying to price with the big 3. Same for larger chassis tractors-not much use in a 15,000 sq. ft lot with a deck on the back of the house to work around. Like I said, not willing to spend more $ and still not have it like I want it. I can tinker and get there cheaper. Maybe not all the way there, but closer to the mark

As I said, the CK fits just right in all categories, except hp. Talked to the pump shop. and with a Bosch pump they are interested in taking a look at it, pretty sure she could be tweaked. Talked a little about timing, they want to take a look to see what it would entail. They talked turbo, but as I said, probably not willing to go that far. Most of us know how it is-just a little more and it would be perfect. If I get no more, I can still work with it, I would always wonder what could be.

The tractor paid for itself very quickly. I know what it can do, and it is worth far more than a gas lawn mower (that is what they tell me it is worth). Any work I get out of it is a bonus from here on out.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Isn't the JD 2720 the same size as your CK20? It sure isn't much larger. That does have position control, and more HP.

 

[lcisled]

Looked hard at a 2720. There is a lot to like about that tractor, and it exceeds the CK 20 in most capacities.
It is 7 inches longer on wheelbase, which translates into another 8" wider turning radius.
The deal breaker is the rear remote hydraulics-no separate circuit for them. You have to somehow divert it from the dual SCV for the loader. Also got on the boards here and found the conversations about the 3pt arms hitting the tires (can't believe John Deere let them out on the market like that). Didn't look any further. This is green country, and John Deere has never gotten it right for me (in this size-my other tractor is a 4400). The reason I have a CK20 is that my option at the time in JD was a 4100. Looked at them and they were more money, and definitely not what I wanted.

 

[IslandTractor]

I want to do the same upgrade to my CK30, but the checking account just laughs at me.

Talk to Uncle Rick about a 0% bailout plan and trade in. You'll need to do it today though.

 

[IXLR8]

Talk to Uncle Rick about a 0% bailout plan and trade in. You'll need to do it today though.

I have had talks with wise Uncle Rick... just couldn't make it work. The other issue, my truck/trailer will handle the weight of the 30 but not the 40... So I am stuck with the 30 until I win the Lottery.... then Rick will be the second to know I won!!

 

[ChuckinNH]

Well, I didn't realize that the 2720 was that much longer since I haven't really seen one. I do like my Kubota B2620 because of it's size, weight, and manuverability, but it doesn't have position control, and I've used mine enough to wish that it did sometimes. You can set a lowering limit, and I do that when using the rotary cutter, etc. but it takes wrenches to do it. The B2920 is the same size, but has the same positioning issues too.

 

[lcisled]

I also looked hard at a Kubota 2920. I think that I could work with the position control, liked the power, size and capacities. Would have been the closest match.
Got a new dealer in town(actually a branch of another dealer). Thought we could do business. I was wrong about that. They are pretty proud of their machines. So proud that I think they were $2K higher than what a Deere would cost me. As I said, this is green country, so I am not sure what they are thinking. Not interested in any kind of negotiation either.
That is why I am asking the question about more power with my CK20.