CT235 Questions

[articatsopro]

I am considering a CT235 to do alot of brush cutting, tilling and loader work and maintain my yard with a finish mower. Have not decided on a a mid mount or 3pt as the cost for the mid PTO and deck is alot but it is nice option . One thing I have not noticed does this tractor have steering brakes? I would like to add a hyd top link and box blade down the road any one do this yet with there's? Any cab owners ( i believe Sim's makes it for them) I'm real close to getting this machine just want some more opinions. I am a medically retired disabled vet with 6 acres and I do some brush hog and tilling for friends and family here and there my current setup is too small.

 

[galaxie428]

I have a 230 and use a 72" 3pt finish mower with it. it handles it well. I wanted the MMM but could not justify the cost and did not like that 66" was as big as I could go. I was quoted around $3k for the MMM. I bought the 72" 3pt for $400 and it mowes great.

The one thing I don't like with the 3pt mower is that the tractor is very heavy and the rear tires mash the grass down before the finish mower gets to cut it where it looks really good. In a day or two you can't really tell it but if you are picky about how your yard looks, you might keep that in mind. I mow 4 acreas and it is not that big of deal to me.

With you having 6 acres, I would seriously consider a 84" 3pt. I think I will probably upgrade to one in a couple of years.

No sterring brakes on the 200 series, I think those come on the 300 series on up. Don't hold me to that though.

I have used a 5' tiller with mine and it handled it well. Even though the GP tires extend a little further out than the tiller covers, I did not notice any tire tracks. My GP tires are around 63" the best I can tell.

Hope this helps.

 

[articatsopro]

Do you have a bob tach or pin on bucket galaxie? 84 inches is alot of mower no? How many hours you got on your machine? sorry for all the questions..

 

[Sprocket]

My CT225 has separate brake pedals for steering but they are impossible to use with the Hydrostat pedal being on the same side and all...At least I am not coordinated enough to use them so I just keep them pinned together.

 

[articatsopro]

What year is your machine sprocket? Some dealers say the do some say they don't the one I demoed I did not notice..Ct225 basically same machine just smaller engine..

 

[Sprocket]

What year is your machine sprocket? Some dealers say the do some say they don't the one I demoed I did not notice..Ct225 basically same machine just smaller engine..

I Purchased it in May of 2009 But I'm not sure of the Production Date (it does have the newer 27hp engine)

 

[galaxie428]

Do you have a bob tach or pin on bucket galaxie? 84 inches is alot of mower no? How many hours you got on your machine? sorry for all the questions..

I ordered mine with the bobtach under the misconception that I would be able to run hydaulic attachments with it but I did not ask enough questions and did not realize BC does not make a hydro kit for this size of tractor. Even if they did, the pump does not put out enough flow to run any attachments.

I still take my bucket off when I mow so I can see better and don't have to worry about hitting things with it. It takes just a couple of minutes to do.

My dealer assured me that the 230 would handle 84" fine but I don't know of anyone that is using one for a real life experience. I know I am able to mow with my 72" in high gear in some pretty thick grass but my ground is mostly flat. Others say they have issues in high gear on hilly ground.

My 230 has the separate brake pedals but I am pretty sure I read in the book or elsewhere that they do not work for brake steering. I could be mistaken and there are others on here that know a lot more about tractors than me that will lead you in the right direction.

 

[articatsopro]

I ordered mine with the bobtach under the misconception that I would be able to run hydaulic attachments with it but I did not ask enough questions and did not realize BC does not make a hydro kit for this size of tractor. Even if they did, the pump does not put out enough flow to run any attachments.
.

May want to look into this came across it the other day dont know much about it.http://www.landpride.com/ari/attach/lp/public/features/316-191f.pdf

Also mini skid steer attachments onlt require (most) 5-10gpm and are alot lighter. How do you like the GP R4 tires? Are they good in snow? Ive ran skid steers and loaders in winter but we had alot more weight. Do you use a ballest box when loading? How about tilling would you of rather of went with ag's and or turfs?

 

[archerm3]

My CT225 has separate brake pedals for steering but they are impossible to use with the Hydrostat pedal being on the same side and all...At least I am not coordinated enough to use them so I just keep them pinned together.

yep.

All the CT2xx's I have seen all have steering brakes, but they are bolted together, and technically you'd have to have a third foot to engage them and keep the hydro going. You can take the bolt out in order to slide the brake connection pin back and forth.

But, if you feel froggy, you can set the cruise and then use your now unworked right foot to apply the brake.

 

[archerm3]

I ordered mine with the bobtach under the misconception that I would be able to run hydaulic attachments with it but I did not ask enough questions and did not realize BC does not make a hydro kit for this size of tractor. Even if they did, the pump does not put out enough flow to run any attachments.

I still take my bucket off when I mow so I can see better and don't have to worry about hitting things with it. It takes just a couple of minutes to do.

My dealer assured me that the 230 would handle 84" fine but I don't know of anyone that is using one for a real life experience. I know I am able to mow with my 72" in high gear in some pretty thick grass but my ground is mostly flat. Others say they have issues in high gear on hilly ground.

My 230 has the separate brake pedals but I am pretty sure I read in the book or elsewhere that they do not work for brake steering. I could be mistaken and there are others on here that know a lot more about tractors than me that will lead you in the right direction.

What do you mean by a hydro kit? I have remotes on the back of mine, all I need is a long hydro line to run an attachment up front. Some of the attachments don't take all that much gpm, you can get by with some of the implements (I looked at getting the rotary brush). Pick an attachment at bobcat, look at the spec's they will tell you your gpm requirement.

 

[galaxie428]

Also mini skid steer attachments onlt require (most) 5-10gpm and are alot lighter.

I may be mistaken but I thought there was a post on here just a few weeks back where someone asked if the mini attachments would match up to the bobtach and the answer was no.

How do you like the GP R4 tires? Are they good in snow?

I have only had my 230 since summer so i have not used it in the snow yet but I have a blade for my truck so I probably will not have a lot of use for it then.

Do you use a ballest box when loading?

I do not have a ballast but I have needed one several times. I would recommend it. I have used my mower as the ballast and it makes a big difference. I am going to fab a ballast up this winter though.

How about tilling would you of rather of went with ag's and or turfs?

I am happy with the GP's but most of my work is done in my yard so ag's were not an option. If I used the tractor for mostly field work then I would have gotten ag's. The GP's do well in the grass and do not seem to tear the yard up.

What do you mean by a hydro kit?

There is a kit you where can install remotes on your loader so you do not have to have additional lines that run back to your rear remotes and risk getting them caught on something. You just use what comes on the attachment.

 

[archerm3]

There is a kit you where can install remotes on your loader so you do not have to have additional lines that run back to your rear remotes and risk getting them caught on something. You just use what comes on the attachment.

Caught on what? Whether you put lines or bobcat puts lines, either way there's gonna be lines on the loader.

 

[galaxie428]

Caught on what? Whether you put lines or bobcat puts lines, either way there's gonna be lines on the loader.

He mentioned running lines back to his rear remotes from the attachment. I would think you would run a risk of catching one of those lines on something assuming he runs them underneath his tractor.

 

[archerm3]

He mentioned running lines back to his rear remotes from the attachment. I would think you would run a risk of catching one of those lines on something assuming he runs them underneath his tractor.

Well, yes I understand that, but factory front remotes are going to have to be run from the back anyways (where the hyd taps are, not the remotes, but the distribution block), it just depends on your diligence in running the lines to the front in a clean configuration compared to what some factory install might be like. A few zip ties here, some plumbing strap there, shouldn't be hard at all. I would just go right underneath the floor tub from the rear remotes, alongside the tranny case, clear the hydro pedal linkage, then zip tie into the loader hydraulic lines, and terminate at the loader bottom brace, leaving the lines there, disconnected, when not in use. You could install a QD where the loader QD's are if you remove the loader frame.

Look underneath, there are all sorts of things that "could" snag down there, theoretically.