New Owner/No Traction

RunninOnEmpty · Apr 28, 2011

Hello, I'm a proud owner of a new Kioti CK20S HST. I took the machine out today for the first time.

I tried to move a few piles of fill (mostly dirt/grass). Here's the problem: As soon as the teeth on the bucket touches the pile the tires spin!
I have no traction & can't dig into the pile.

I have the tractor in Low w/front tires locked & go in around 2000RPM.
I'm not sure about the black lever by left foot, supposed to lock in all 4 but I can't tell if it's locking in or not.
I push down on the lever w/foot & seem's like nothing happens.

What am I doing wrong?
Thanks!

Marveltone · Apr 28, 2011

Need more information. What kind of tires? Are they filled? Do you have any other added weight? Does your FEL bucket have any teeth?

Joe

RunninOnEmpty · Apr 28, 2011

Filled R4 tires & tooth bar, no added weight. Checked & the Hydro fluid seems low, could that have anything to do with it?

moored4 · Apr 28, 2011

If you have nothing on the back end(3ph) then you need to add some counter balance! :thumbsup: And welcome to this bunch of tractor Nuts!:laughing:

Lloyd_E · Apr 28, 2011

Sounds like you need more rear weight. My 45 with no weight on the rear will do the same thing. Also depends on how hard the soil/earth is that you are trying to dig into.

Good luck...

PS: Saw Jackson Browne a few weeks ago! Great solo concert!

RunninOnEmpty · Apr 28, 2011

Lloyd_E said:
PS: Saw Jackson Browne a few weeks ago! Great solo concert!

Lucky Dawg! :thumbsup:
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I thought maybe I was going into the pile w/too much/little throtte or RPM's.

Marveltone · Apr 28, 2011

Weight is your friend. It can make a world of difference. I usually keep the box blade on the back, as it makes a very useful tool, as well as ballast and traction aid.

Good luck!

Joe

RoyJackson · Apr 28, 2011

You need rear ballast...probably 500lbs or more. Tooth bar too, if you don't have one.

Loaders do well in very loose material (fresh mulch, for example). Once the material dries out and gets a bit of a "crust"...well, they don't do so well then.

Highbeam · Apr 28, 2011

A lot of it is technique too. You don't want to just try and stab the bucket into the hard material. Instead try and scrape and scoop up the outer several inches.

I just moved 90 yards of fill dirt from 9 piles last weekend. I do not have filled tires but I do have a boxblade for ballast. When I dropped the BB the tires spun like crazy. That counterweight is very important to allow you to get in there and load.

If your tractor was broken, the tires wouldn't spin. If your tires spin or your engine stalls when trying to load then the tractor is doing fine. It is operator error.

To load the tires of a CK20 isn't saying much. Those tires are pretty small.

SPYDERLK · Apr 28, 2011

Are either or both of the fronts spinning or only the rears?
larry

RunninOnEmpty · Apr 28, 2011

SPYDERLK said:
Are either or both of the fronts spinning or only the rears?
larry

It seem's the fronts are alternating. There's a black lever below the left foot that I believe is to lock all four, I step on it w/left heel but not sure if it's engaging or not.

From what you fellows are telling me I need more ballast in the rear. Now to tell the Mrs. I have to buy a finish mower for added weight.

RoyJackson · Apr 28, 2011

RunninOnEmpty said:
It seem's the fronts are alternating. There's a black lever below the left foot that I believe is to lock all four, I step on it w/left heel but not sure if it's engaging or not.

From what you fellows are telling me I need more ballast in the rear. Now to tell the Mrs. I have to buy a finish mower for added weight.

Actually, finishing mowers aren't that heavy until you get to 6' or more. And, IMHO, they're awkward for ballast.
If you need a finishing mower....well, get one. But a ballast box is a better choice for ballasting (most weight in a compact size).

There's a black lever below the left foot that I believe is to lock all four

You do need to read your Operator's Manual. You should know what a control is...not think you know. That's for your safety and the safety of the equipment.
I don't own a Kioti, but if it's what you think it is...it's a differential lock (works on the rear wheels only). You use it when one rear tire is spinning and the other isn't rotating.

RoMad · Apr 28, 2011

I also have a ck 20. It sounds like you need more weight and more practice. Just keep at it and you will get much better. When you are taking a bite with the front end loader don't go in too deep and when it starts spinning raise the bucket or tilt it up a little until you keep moving forward. Different material will let you take bigger or smaller bites. You will get the hang of it with more practice. My box blade weighs ~450 lbs and it really helps but it is wider than the tractor and i have to be careful when in close quarters.
I know what that lever does that you keep pushing with your foot, but you do need to read your owners manual more thouroughly for you and your tractors sake.

grsthegreat · Apr 28, 2011

I'm not sure what the filled rear tires on the CK20 have added. On my DK45 the rear fill adds 900 pounds. i have industrial tires, and hardly ever loose traction, but i dont have the front ripper teeth.

These teeth are probably digging in too deep. you can try to back drag with the teeth to break up the ground some first also. Go in flatter when going foreword. see if this helps.

The rear pedal IS for rear tire differential lock ONLY as Roy said. The front tires cannot be locked as the rear ones can. just like most 4x4 trucks, its not true all wheel drive.

JonKioti · Apr 28, 2011

I almost always have my backhoe on my CK-20 when using the loader. Without it, the tires can spin with very little trouble. All four of my industrial tires are filled, which helps considerably but a counterbalance of some sort is the best way.

By the way, don't let this discourage you with your purchase - the CK-20 is an excellent tractor. I have bought two of them so far.

Jon

Johndeere3720 · Apr 28, 2011

I would highly recommend a ballast box or a box blade. :thumbsup:

the6shooter · Apr 28, 2011

You really don't want to keep your heal on the differential lock either, especially in turns. it's not a posi-trac. weight is your biggest problem.

And you can make a ballast box in your spare time. or buy a ready made one.
Use some forward momentum going into your dirt , Stop and use the breakout force of the loader. Roll the bucket back and lift.
hope this helps
davi

JoelD · Apr 28, 2011

No such thing as locked 4 wheel drive on these tractors, if so, the front end would tear it's self up in short order.

Remember a front end loader is a front end loader, not designed for digging. My 12000 pound dozer would spin the tracks if I tried to dig with the blade.

you'll get the hang of it with practice

joel

VictorW · Apr 28, 2011

With my bh, about 700lbs, hanging on the back of my CK30hst, there is a big difference in traction and even my 6ft back blade makes a difference. You have to remember it's not like one of the bigger DK45s or more which still like a little rear weight. We just have to take smaller bites. As mentioned, you'll get used to how to go into the material. I usually have the bucket level for piled up material and use the lift and curl at the same time once partially into the pile. As far as engine rpms, you don't want to go below 2,000 because that is what is needed to make the hst tranny work properly.

RunninOnEmpty · Apr 28, 2011

Thanks again everyone for your help. I've been lurking for quite some time here. I'm new to operating a tractor w/loader & appreciate everyone's advice.
I don't have the Operator's Manual yet, when the dealer delivered the machine he forgot it but will mail out.