Barnyard Drainage Project

[To20Chris]

I put about 7hrs on the LK3054 today, working on puting in a drainage system for out barnyard (aka: pony mud wrestling area). I am extremely impressed it so far. This is a 28' x 36' area, extremely confined, and access is through the forebay support posts (about 9' opening). I could never have done it without the split brake peddles. I never thought I would use them much, but in the mud I could make it turn like a skid steer! I used 2nd gear low range, and ran with the hand throttle. Used the clutch with my left foot & the brakes with my right. Here is a question for the CK20HST guys: how would this work with the hydro? Can you set a low ground speed with the cruise control to free your feet for the brakes?

I find I am much better with the BH than I am with the FEL so far. Mostly that is because I'm trying it in a confined space, but I have a hard time getting a reasonably full load without pushing the dirt so far it ends up against a wall, or back in the ditch. Then I have to drag it back with the blade and try again! But I'm learning!

I took tomorrow off, so I hope to get the pipe and stone in & level it off. I'll put landscape cloth over the stone, and then put fines over it all. I couldn't be happier with this machine so far. My wife is delighted at the prospect of fixing this mess up, and so far the Kioti is putting on a good show! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[To20Chris]

Another view

 

[To20Chris]

And another

 

[To20Chris]

& another

 

[RobS]

Nice looking work Chris, you must have a fairly narrow bucket? Are you using slotted drainpipe? Rigid or corrugated?

That's also a great looking barn in the background. How old is it?

I agree, it's easier to use the backhoe deftfully than the loader. Some of that is the visibility with the backhoe cutting towards you /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[To20Chris]

RobS - I got a 12", as this is the kind of work I was planning on doing with it. I have a lot of other similar projects planned. I'm using 4" corrugated & slotted for the field, and I'll adapt it to non-slotted on the other side of the wall. I usually switch it to Sched 40 before I bring it to the surface.

You are probably right about the FEL - the hard part is not being able to see it.

The barn was started about 1835, with 2 later additions. I think the earliest section was built with parts of an older barn (recycling!)

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Here is a question for the CK20HST guys: how would this work with the hydro? Can you set a low ground speed with the cruise control to free your feet for the brakes?)</font> It's next to impossible. I played with doing it with the cruise on and pressing one pedal, but it really lugs the tractor down. I don't need to do it anyway, so I don't bother. It would be a problem, I think, if one really needed to do this a lot as the brakes are on the same side as the hydro pedal.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have a hard time getting a reasonably full load without pushing the dirt so far it ends up against a wall, or back in the ditch. Then I have to drag it back with the blade and try again! )</font> I have one word for you: Toothbar
John

 

[To20Chris]

John - you have a toothbar? I would never have guessed! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I'm hoping sucsess on this project might prompt the boss to make additional funds available...........

 

[lablovers]

To20Chris,
Nice work. I agree with you about the left/right braking ability. I too was working in a confined area and could not have done it without using brake/steering. I never even though about this in regards to HST.

Beautiful property you have there. The 3054 can only make it better.

 

[To20Chris]

Thanks! I would think that the CK20HST would be more manuverable in a confined space, and the easy back and forth would be handy, but it does seem that the hydro peddle would be better placed on the left. I guess that would be too strange!

I never thought that I would use the brakes split, but I can see that I will probably do that a lot. Working in such a confined area is quite nerve-racking. You have to watch all 4 sides at the same time, and sometimes the top too!

Chris

 

[KiotiJohn]

Brakes on the left would be fine, drive pedal on the right. But not both on the same side! But like I said, not a problem for me. I let off the pedal and it stops unless on a hill, I use the brake then. John

 

[To20Chris]

Well, I finally got to finish the barnyard area on Wednesday (nice day+vacation+tractor= /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif). The rain had turned the piles of dirt and mud into un-rakeable clumps, and I could not get the LK back in there without tearing everything up brake-steering it, so I had to get the Gravely out and put on the rotary plow. Another excellent machine if you ever run across one! Here are some shots of the end of the project.

 

[To20Chris]

Another shot

 

[To20Chris]

Finished

 

[To20Chris]

The "team", at least for this project (Fergie didn't get to help this time!)

 

[lablovers]

Nice teamphoto. I never get tired of looking at a 3054. Something about having a BH hanging off the back. Makes a man want to cry with shear joy. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Something about having a BH hanging off the back. Makes a man want to cry with shear joy. )</font> Oh shut up Richard! Can't you wait until I get MY BH to make those kinds of comments? LOL /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif John

 

[lablovers]

KiotiJohn,
Sorry to cause you such distress. You know how emotional us men can be. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Or maybe it is just my feminine side coming out. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif You know living on the left coast does things to a man. Just the sight of a BH can bring me to tears. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Be sure to send some pictures when yours does show up. I have been following your saga and want to be sure you actually have it in hand or attached.

 

[To20Chris]

It rained very hard here last night, and may again today - the barnyard handled it quite well. It was dry enough this morning to walk on with regular shoes and not get them wet. Also, it appears the quick re-grading I did behind my barn may have worked well too, as previously we would take on water in the stall by that corner. So, all-in-all the Kioti scored big points with the boss on the first couple of projects /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

To be honest, I've wondered at times if I should have spent the money to buy it, as opposed to hiring/renting. But for me, time is a big problem, and trying to organize these projects around the weather with contractors is a real pain - enough that they probably would not get done if I did not have the tractor here and ready when the opportunity presented. A few successes really helps, and I'm very glad that I bought it now!

 

[Lloyd_E]

Chris,

Very impressed. This is one post I will NOT show my boss. She's into horses etc and the list is far too long.

I think this will elavate you to Yoeman or Esquire.


regards,

lloyd