CK30 HST vs Gear

[MotorSeven]

I hope i'm not driving 'yall nuts with questions, and this may have already been asked. But, a dealer in MS said that he felt that the HST on the CK30 underpowered the tractor. I haven't read any complaints about the HST. For those that have it, are you satisfied with the performance?
I do have some pretty steep hills on my place and plan on dragging alot of "stuff" up and down, so would a gear drive be better in that application? I appreciate the input /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif.

RD

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Not specific to Kioti, but the vast majority of tractors will not climb a hill in HI range. Some will climb a hill in MID range. Any tractor will do best in LOW range.

Also, many people, including new dealers, treat a HST pedal as if it is an automobile accelerator pedal, this is a mistake and it will lead to disappointment. If you use your range selector properly and your HST pedal properly you should have no problems with a CK30HST dragging just about anything up or down just about anywhere.

 

[rapracing]

As stated in the previous reply the HST pedal cannot be used the way a throtle would. When the tractor lugs you down shift by leaving up on the pedal not mashing it. I live on some steep terrain. (River hill in central Pa) and have had a 30 HST for about 6 weeks /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif(not a long time I know) but I have not been disappointed in the machine. I think the benifits of the HST far outweigh having to slow down on the few occassions that I have. If its' really steep you probably don't want to be flying up and down any way. I use mid range to climb with and have had not problem most of the time with the pedal all the way down. Once I tried Hi and it started to lug so I dropped to mid. I am not sure I would be worried about the HST for the power loss as much as I would consider the benifits and ease of use. Also in low I never have to use brakes and only rarely in mid. The engine and transmission take care of it and bring me to a stop when I let up. Hope this helps

 

[albmn10]

Hello Motor, I would have to agree with bob and ra here. Is this the dealer that will sell you a ck30 gear for a little over 9 k minus the loader.. I hate to say it but i think he doesnt really know how to use the hst. My ck30 hst with my loader heaping is about a half yard, and it easily climbs out of steep mud banks with the bucket full.. The hst pedal is not a gas pedal, put it in low on steep hills and youll find it very hard to stop.. I havent heard a single person here complain about the hst and there are alot of ck30 hst owners... Usually the ones who complain about the hst on tractors really do not know how to use them... They make loader work a breeze, if you like it, get it, you wont have any problems..

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="red"> I havent heard a single person here complain about the hst and there are alot of ck30 hst owners... </font>


There have actually been several complaints about the CK30HST. I believe ALL of them were from people unfamilar with HST, none of them were mechanical issues, all were user error. The same issue has come up with other brands as well, and again most all of those were people using the HST pedal as a gas pedal assuming that more pressure on the pedal equates to more power, when the opposite is true. More speed equals less torque, less torque equals less power. The key is picking the correct range.

 

[Steve_Miller]

I only have the CK20 gear and I know it won't climb a steep hill in third gear high and probably not in second either. Everyone has their own preference and mine just happened to be gear.

Steve

 

[EldonC]

Hi: After much pondering ,I bought a CK30 Gear in May.My reasons were that for my particular applications,I felt the proven gear transmission would serve my needs best.I like the foot throttle for a quick extra burst if needed and with gear I can idle the engine and use what throttle I need on demand.While I am not aware of any reliability problems with the Kioti HST,such is not the case with all makes with HST.
Having said all of this ,for use with a loader there is absolutely no question,HST is superior.In my case loader work represented less than 10% of my usage.My research showed that there is a slight power loss but I have read no reports stating that it is significant enough to deter one from HST.I am very happy with my gear CK30 but so is everyone I've talked to with HST.I think they are both superb tractors.
Whichever decision you make I think you will be very happy.

 

[MotorSeven]

Thanks for the responses, this comparing/conteplating/shopping/investigating is exhausting. Initially i thought i wanted the CK30HST....well after "all of the above", i still think it is the best feature/value package. However, i am sure i can come up with a few more questions before i pull the trigger...lol!

RD

 

[RedRocker]

I take my tractor where angels fear to tread with no problems. Like I said, it'll spin the tires, just have to choose the proper range. I never use Hi on my place, low and med are about it.

 

[HODAK]

I have 62 hours on my CK30HST and I can honestly say it has probably been in med for 60 of those or more. Plenty fast for getting around my 12 acres and just right for mowing with the pedal all the way down and turning around in the field is quick. Lo was used for FEL work and even then I put it in Lo so I could move around slower while I got the feel of the tractor. Hi is for transporting on a nice smooth road in my opinion. There are a few gravel roads on my place and if you get moving too fast, you'll get bounced around pretty good. Yup, med is just right. Power or speed, whichever you need just by moving you toes and heel /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[kIOTICK30]

I've had no problems with mine 50 hr's and counting. You do have to learn how to use the HST. After that it's a cake walk. Alway's remember when you bog down pull let up on the peddle that's about it.

 

[VictorW]

49 hours on my CK30hst and most in med range. I use high to get places even with a full loader bucket but not up hills. Use low when really pulling or very steep hills. Also, I have hardly ever used the brakes. The hst slows you down very well as you ease up on the pedal. About 3500# on an attached trailer going down hill required just a little brake.
What I learned from the members here is not to mash the pedal down when you start to go, especially in high range. Push the pedal down slow just as you would feather a clutch if you had to start out in high gear.
So far, no complaints with the hst. You just need to pick the proper range for the job just as you would use the proper gear.
Good luck with the decision. I think either will work fine.

 

[KiotiJohn]

The CK30HSTs that I've tried were anything but underpowered. I was amazed at how strong a puller this model is. It actually feels stronger than only 30HP.
I suspect that dealer just simply wanted to rid himself of the shuttle shift CK30 he has on his lot. HST has become predominant among most of todays buyers since most have never owned a tractor and want the convenience of HST.
John

 

[TractorLegend]

I would venture to guess my property in rural east Lewis County WA at the foothills of the Cascades just off the Cowlitz River valley has some of the steepest land one would care to endeavor. I have drug huge tree chunks all over kingdom come with the CK30HST, front end loaded and mowed with a 72 in RFM and dont think you will have any trouble. I believe the convenience of HST is amazing. Low gear for loads---shouldnt go fast in this condition any how. Mid works great for mowing and I can vary speed w/ pedal.
High is for the tractor races and I never use it. My ground is too lumpy to be crusing at warp speed

 

[Egon]

Does not the HST allow one to have the engine at full power/torque mode while barely moving or starting up.

Egon

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Does not the HST allow one to have the engine at full power/torque mode while barely moving or starting up. )</font>
Yes, you can have full throttle, and ease the HST pedal down and barely crawl. Comes in really handy with tilling new, hard soils for one thing.
John

 

[TForan]

I moved 20 yards of top soil yesterday with my CK30 HST and left it in medium range. Easily filled the bucket and it is very stable with a load. Just a killer little tractor!