Attacking that power problem CT225

[arnoldziffel]

On a CT225 how much do you let up on the pedal to make the machine "downshift" so that it will climb the hill?

Let up a little? Let up almost all of the way?

 

[k0ua]

On a CT225 how much do you let up on the pedal to make the machine "downshift" so that it will climb the hill?

Let up a little? Let up almost all of the way?

Let up enough so that the engine starts to regain rpms. In other words, if the engine labors and the rpm's drop, let up a bit and see if the engine rpm's start to climb a bit.

 

[k0ua]

If all else fails and the hill is too steep, stop the tractor and drop the range shifter (LO,MED,HI) to the next lowest range and take off again.. Be sure to step on the brakes as you will be passing thru Nuetral and the tractor will take off backwards as you go thru Nuetral if you do not have your foot on the brakes.

 

[k0ua]

As you gain more experience in operation, you will have sense enough to not try to take a too steep hill in HI, or even in Medium range if you are heavily loaded and the hill is very steep. You will just know by looking that hill is a "go up it in LO" hill when you are loaded down or pulling a heavy load.

 

[pwright]

I had to drive my tractor 7 miles to get it to our property as there are several steep hills on the dirt roads leading there that are real challenges to pull a loaded trailer over. I learned about all the things that James has just said on that 2 hour trip in. But it wasn't until some posts here that I understood why I couldn't just give it more pedal to go on up the hill.

 

[k0ua]

Let up enough so that the engine starts to regain rpms. In other words, if the engine labors and the rpm's drop, let up a bit and see if the engine rpm's start to climb a bit.

Keep in mind the things you have learned all these years (hopefully) about keeping the engine up in its torque band. When faced with a steep hill, and you are heavily loaded, or pulling a heavy trailer you would normally open up the throttle to make maximum horsepower and decide beforehand what range you will be able to take this very steep hill in. And when the engine rpm starts to fall out of the sweet spot then let up off of the pedal to try to keep the engine turning in that rpm range where it makes the most power. All of this should not even require much thought, it will become somewhat intuitive after you gain some operator experience.

 

[k0ua]

I had to drive my tractor 7 miles to get it to our property as there are several steep hills on the dirt roads leading there that are real challenges to pull a loaded trailer over. I learned about all the things that James has just said on that 2 hour trip in. But it wasn't until some posts here that I understood why I couldn't just give it more pedal to go on up the hill.

You probably learned a lot in that short trip

 

[MoKelly]

At first (at least for me), it was confusing using a hydro tractor as I just assumed a hydro was the same as automatic transmission on a car. Once I got that concept out of my head, it became much easier. I will be the first to admit I don't use my CT235 very hard, and there are not many hills on my property, but I have never felt I was underpowered. I am in Medium range 95% of the time and I am happy.

MoKelly

 

[pwright]

You probably learned a lot in that short trip

Yeah. First thing I learned was to not let the wife drive off in the pickup before getting my hat out of it. It was August and I didn't have the sun shade on it yet. :fiery: :laughing:

 

[MoKelly]

Yeah. First thing I learned was to not let the wife drive off in the pickup before getting my hat out of it. It was August and I didn't have the sun shade on it yet. :fiery: :laughing:

Perhaps, living in New Mexico, you need to invest in 2 or perhaps 3 hats and keep one in the garage?

MoKelly

 

[arnoldziffel]

These comments regarding correct control and use of the hydro pedal have been instructive.

I wonder how many tractor owners have given up and sold perfectly capable tractors due to not grasping and practicing this concept?

 

[k0ua]

Yeah. First thing I learned was to not let the wife drive off in the pickup before getting my hat out of it. It was August and I didn't have the sun shade on it yet. :fiery: :laughing:

I have found the canopy was one of the best things I have purchased for the Kioti. I still wear a hat, to swat horsefly's and such but the canopy sure works except in the early morning and the late afternoon.

 

[k0ua]

These comments regarding correct control and use of the hydro pedal have been instructive.

I wonder how many tractor owners have given up and sold perfectly capable tractors due to not grasping and practicing this concept?

It wouldn't surprise me. We have had a guy or two ask about how the telescoping lower links actually did for them.. They had never used them. They just hooked up the old familiar way. Kick and knock and cuss.

 

[pwright]

These comments regarding correct control and use of the hydro pedal have been instructive.

I wonder how many tractor owners have given up and sold perfectly capable tractors due to not grasping and practicing this concept?

More than a few I imagine. I found the Bobcat manual to be annoying to read as for every paragraph of actual information there was a half-page of dire warnings about loss of limb or life if used improperly. I certainly didn't learn about the proper way to use the hydro pedal by reading the manual the night before we trailer it up to near the property. Thank goodness for this site.

 

[pwright]

Perhaps, living in New Mexico, you need to invest in 2 or perhaps 3 hats and keep one in the garage?

The tractor barn does have extra hats in it unfortunately I was 7 miles away driving the tractor to the property for the first time.

 

[MoPops]

I have never operated a CT225, but my Kioti DK35se (I think that would be a CT335) will spin the tires on solid ground in Low AND Med range. Of course it wont do it in High range. This is with my ballast barrel on the back, and with fluid loaded rear tires, so I am not hurting for traction either. Test your rig when you get it, push into a solid immovable object in Lo and Med and see what happens. I use my gravel pile.

Got it yesterday.. Seems like lots of power to me. I was spinning the tires a little too often in my opinion, but I have no rear weight or loaded tires.
I had a blast with it. The only problem was time.. I didn't have enough. Ha:thumbsup:

 

[MoPops]

More than a few I imagine. I found the Bobcat manual to be annoying to read as for every paragraph of actual information there was a half-page of dire warnings about loss of limb or life if used improperly. I certainly didn't learn about the proper way to use the hydro pedal by reading the manual the night before we trailer it up to near the property. Thank goodness for this site.

I thought the same thing as I went through mine.. It looks like an example where the lawyers, perhaps, had a little too much input...
No offense intended for you lawyers out there.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have a 225 and while it is not a powerhouse. It does fine. The only time I struggle is when using a rotary cutter in think grass on steep hills. I have to use low range. It is fine for dirt work and all other jobs.