More horsepower? CT225

outsidezion · Oct 10, 2015

Love my CT225 with backhoe. It is the perfect, all-around homesteader size. It plows snow, hauls firewood, plows deer plots, lifts logs..... and is nimble on my 93 acres.

Yet, it would be bomber if I could squeeze another 5 hp out of it. Is this possible?

I came from a Kioti DK40 which I loved. That felt like a big tractor in comparison and I do not regret the downsize but sometimes miss the power.

tman1020 · Oct 11, 2015

Anything is possible. What year is your tractor?

outsidezion · Oct 11, 2015

tman1020 said:
Anything is possible. What year is your tractor?

I believe its a 2009. It's not that HP is inadequate. And the hydraulics are fantastic. But it does seem with the hydrostatic, it could have been designed better for another 3-5 hp.

MESSMAKER · Oct 11, 2015

I have the same tractor. I know what you mean. I have to drop to low range due to lack of power a little more than I would like. I think a 235 is probably perfect, but I have never used one.

buickanddeere · Oct 11, 2015

Trade up in size.

CT235 appears to be more HP in the same chassis.

CT120 21 hp 2008 - 2013
CT122 22 hp 2008 - 2013
CT225 27 hp 2008 - 2013
CT230 30 hp 2008 - 2013
CT235 34 hp 2008 - 2013
CT335 38 hp 2008 - 2013
CT440 41 hp 2008 - 2013
CT445 45 hp 2008 - 2013
CT450 49 hp 2008 - 2013

tman1020 · Oct 12, 2015

Talking about more hp is always cool. I was under the impression that the early ct 225 only had 24.5 hp or something like that. I may be wrong on that but a vin check on the motor should verify. I did see the posted chart so I'm second guessing my self now. It would be good to confirm your current hp first But if it is the motor with 27 hp I don't see where upping hp will help much with drive power because the hydro relief is set at a set pressure and it is not adjustable with out modification. (Assuming we are talking hydro trans)the ct 225 and 230 share same setting. the ct 235 has a higher hydro setting. Where you would notice extra hp is at the pto.

As a side note the kioti version of the 2011-2013 model(and other years but not sure starting year) have the same motor with same displacement just one letter different on model but the kioti shows 28 hp. So my thought is it would be hard to notice that 1 hp but makes me wonder how did they achieve the extra hp ( if it really is different) and is there more to be had?

outsidezion · Oct 14, 2015

tman1020 said:
As a side note the kioti version of the 2011-2013 model(and other years but not sure starting year) have the same motor with same displacement just one letter different on model but the kioti shows 28 hp. So my thought is it would be hard to notice that 1 hp but makes me wonder how did they achieve the extra hp ( if it really is different) and is there more to be had?

Yeah, I was hoping there was something like a set-screw or an emissions tuning setting that could be tweaked.

Bill Guenthner · Oct 14, 2015

outsidezion said:
Love my CT225 with backhoe. It is the perfect, all-around homesteader size. It plows snow, hauls firewood, plows deer plots, lifts logs..... and is nimble on my 93 acres.

Yet, it would be bomber if I could squeeze another 5 hp out of it. Is this possible?

I came from a Kioti DK40 which I loved. That felt like a big tractor in comparison and I do not regret the downsize but sometimes miss the power.

Just remember that everything on the tractor is designed for the horsepower it came with. What happens to the hydraulics, gears, loader, hoses when you push 118% of rated power through them. Will they hold up? Will they fail earlier? I don't know. Then again, in the pictures I've seen it looks to be about the same physical size as my Kubota and it's 33HP so maybe the CT225 engine is undersized.

tman1020 · Oct 14, 2015

I have seen guys turn up fuel pressure until just before you start to see black smoke on larger tractors with some impressive hp gains. I'm thinking that this is how Kioti achieves the different hp ratings of this motor in different tractors. But I'm just guessing and not a mechanic. It would be cool to hear about someone's experiences and results that tries it.

MESSMAKER · Oct 15, 2015

Bill Guenthner said:
Just remember that everything on the tractor is designed for the horsepower it came with. What happens to the hydraulics, gears, loader, hoses when you push 118% of rated power through them. Will they hold up? Will they fail earlier? I don't know. Then again, in the pictures I've seen it looks to be about the same physical size as my Kubota and it's 33HP so maybe the CT225 engine is undersized.

I think all the components are the same as the 235 which has 34 hp. I would think you should be good as long as you did not go above that.

Jabonee · Oct 15, 2015

No adjustment for the rack for the application. You cant turn it up. If you have a fuel injection shop near you you can have the pump bench tested and set up. I've see quite a few of these pumps not set up correctly(delivery valves)and delivering different amounts of fuel to each injector.

tman1020 · Oct 15, 2015

Jabonee said:
No adjustment for the rack for the application. You cant turn it up. If you have a fuel injection shop near you you can have the pump bench tested and set up. I've see quite a few of these pumps not set up correctly(delivery valves)and delivering different amounts of fuel to each injector.

That's interesting is that generally something that is difficult or expensive to have done?

Jabonee · Oct 15, 2015

tman1020 said:
That's interesting is that generally something that is difficult or expensive to have done?

I can change the pump out in about 2 hrs. A novice tech can do it with the service manuel. Not sure what the shops in your area charge. Flate rate in our are area is about $75 depending on the pump.

tman1020 · Oct 16, 2015

Thanks

powerscol · Oct 18, 2015

OR as the chassis is the same for the 235, find a used larger engine and drop it in. Should be a direct bolt fit. But before putting it in, get it tuned up. Many of the HP tricks that are used on gas work on a diesel, especially air flow tricks.

newbury · Oct 18, 2015

Check out everything attachments, I seem to remember reading that Ted tweaked a tractor earlier this year .

Jabonee · Oct 20, 2015

Just remember guys you can not turn Bobcat injection pumps up. The stroke of the rack is some what fixed.It is connected to the throttle/governor via a spring. I would not mess with the throttle adj. especially if you have a lot of hrs. on the unit. Some injection pumps have a stop on the rack. This is what is being adjusted in the posted video. Bear this in mind and I've seen it happen. Its just like the plumbing in your house and you have low water PSI. You call the plumber and he turns up the PSI. A hour later you start springing leaks and the kamode is running. With diesel engines they usually come apart or start making horribly noises.

MESSMAKER · Oct 21, 2015

That does not sound good.

tman1020 · Oct 21, 2015

There's always The option of adding a turbo. I have read a couple of threads on here of guys that have done it two other tractors and they seem to have been happy with it. Plus it sounds kind a like a cool project. I'm happy with the power of mine too but who doesn't like more power?