A Learning Experience

woodchuck123 · Apr 7, 2015

Well I have to say that my first "real" tractor has been a wonderful learning experience - a gift that just keeps on giving. I picked up a CK35 a week ago and it has been a ton of fun with some small episodes. First off I bought the shuttle shift - tried both the HST and SS and thought I would be OK with the SS. The first thing my wife wants me to do is build a big ol' dirt pile to run the retrievers from - we train field dogs. Well 40 buckets loads of dirt later from an old dirt pile to a new dirt pile and I know I should have got the HST. Also I discovered that a bucket full of wet sand weighs a lot. Took me some time to figure out the right speeds/gearing to attack the pile and move the load without stressing out the tractor too much. Oh well live and learn.

Next comes cutting the fields. We have a very very heavy and wet stretch of grass that already needs cutting. Off I go with the 5 foot cutter I bought. Works great until it hits the really heavy stuff and I am going too fast - boy it doesn't cut much and what is all that smoke coming from the cutter. Yes we have a clutch and it is definitely slipping. OK learned my lesson - go slower in the deep stuff - hopefully I didn't permanently bake the clutch.

We have also just finished having someone clear a couple of acres of gnarly woods. Lots of roots, very wet, tons of debris from an old homestead - was probably a dumping site for the farm in past years. They cleared out the trees - mostly - but have left a ton of stuff on and in the ground to clear up. Yes off we go with the tractor and a newly purchased ratchet rake and landscape rake. Well even with four wheel drive I managed to bury that tractor in all that detritus piled up over the years. Yes you can use the FEL to pull yourself out. Probably should have looked into the AG tires instead of the R4s. Haven't quite figured out what to do with all the stuff the landscape rake of ratchet rake has pulled up - anyone need old bicycles, shoes, tractor parts, bottles galore mostly broken, clothes etc.

Greasing - oh yes you have to grease the tractor. My first attempt at the grease gun was a disaster. Put the cartridge in, did the FEL joints then left it over night. Next day the internal spring had pushed past all the grease in the tube when I pulled back the lever most of the grease came out the back end - note to self - pull back the lever when not in use. I'm also considering wearing latex gloves next time - what a mess.

Funny thing is I really enjoy being on the tractor - looking forward to many learning experiences.

Cheers

Ian

VictorW · Apr 7, 2015

If you do a lot of loader work the hst is a little better but I'm sure you'll get the hang of shifting. For full heavy loads in the fel bucket, you should have some counter weight on the rear like one of your 3pt implements. Makes it handle better and safer. The tractor speed/gear and what your cutting comes from practice and experience. The R4s can back up with mud and not dig in much. You'll learn when to stay out of certain areas. Be carefull using your bh when stuck. I've used mine to swing the back end if I started to bury the tires but do it carefully. The subframe mount is strong but not made like a dedicated frontloader/bh unit. Your grease gun seems to be not working right. I've never had to pull the rod back when not using it and I've had several grease guns. Happy tractoring.