First real battle scar on new tractor

getut · Sep 2, 2004

Well.. it had to happen. I just wanted it to be a little longer.

My CK20HST got its first real battle scar (other than simple sapling marks from mowing and brush cutting). I hooked up a single shank subsoiler that I borrowed from my father in law last night in preparation for setting underground dog fencing. The subsoiler is a little too big for either of our tractors and the top link is nearly all the way extended. My 3ph will just BARELY raise high enough to pick the implement all the way up and it still drags in certain circumstances. Well it drug, and I had the top link fully extended for transport, when the tip dug in, it threw the top link into my fuel tank and bent the tank in slightly. Keep in mind that this model has the fuel tank behind the operator seat and a caution sign and its mount on the back of the tank. No functionality lost, you even have to look pretty hard to see it because of the caution sign on the back. The bracket for the caution sign made it crush inward in a symmetrical fashion. So it looks to someone else like it may have been that way all along.
What bites is the fact that *** I *** know its there. I hate when I mess something up, especially when its something as beloved as my new tractor.

Getut

KiotiJohn · Sep 2, 2004

Sorry to hear about your problem. My first scar was some light dings in the front grill from heavy brush poking into it. Good thing it's made with pretty good expansion-type metal grids.
As far as the subsoiler not fitting well: There are two sets of position holes in the three point lift arms. You may be able to move from the holes being used now to the other set and get a better fit. The top link also has 3 different holes at the tractor to adjust position of the top link. Try positioning that in another hole as well. If you need further clarification on this, send me a private message (PM) by clicking on my name and going to my home page/ send private message. John

shvl73 · Sep 2, 2004

Did the same thing with my post hole digger /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. Luckily the tank is not metal & doesn't stay dented /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif.

getut · Sep 2, 2004

Thanks KiotiJohn... I know what your talking about on the top link, but I'll have to look at the lift arms to find what you're talking about. If I still can't find what you're talking about after looking at it tonight, I'll PM you.

Getut

KiotiJohn · Sep 2, 2004

( Did the same thing with my post hole digger . Luckily the tank is not metal & doesn't stay dented . )
Yep, there are some advantages to having plastic instead of sheet metal. I have been accused of making fun of plastics in tractors, but it's not true. I have only EVER used the contrast to explain why some tractors weigh more than others. Glad you didn't have a permanent ding. John

beenthere · Sep 2, 2004

On my subsoiler, I was frustrated with the 'compression' on the top arm, as well as the lack of clearance due to long tooth.
I drilled a hole through the shank, and attached a heavy chain to the shank and to the drawbar, eliminating the top link altogether. The chain pulls in tension and the subsoiler tracks better behind the tractor. Easy to hook the chain up short for 'road' travel and clearance too.

KiotiJohn · Sep 2, 2004

( The chain pulls in tension and the subsoiler tracks better behind the tractor. Easy to hook the chain up short for 'road' travel and clearance too.)
What a great idea. John

virgil · Sep 4, 2004

I have only bought 2 things new in my life.. a car and a boat.
I babied the car around and was always upset that it might get scratched..
When I brought home my new pontoon boat... The first thing I did was get under it with a hammer and put a dent in both of the poontoons. I got that part over with first!

getut · Sep 6, 2004

I got some real seat time this weekend finishing up that project. I was surprised to discover that the damage I spoke about was a little worse than I first thought. I was using the subsoiler to lay the last bit of underground fencing and kept feeling my seat flex. I finally figured out that when the tank had partially crushed it had actually pushed the whole tank, support arms and all, about 1 1/2" closer to the seat.

I got my wife and son to help as I wrapped a chain around a tree and 2 nylon straps around the tank and then hooked the chain to the straps while I slowly drove away. It pulled everything back into alignment and the tank still holds fuel with no leaks, so I guess I'm good to go.

Getut

KiotiJohn · Sep 6, 2004

( I got my wife and son to help as I wrapped a chain around a tree and 2 nylon straps around the tank and then hooked the chain to the straps while I slowly drove away. It pulled everything back into alignment and the tank still holds fuel with no leaks, so I guess I'm good to go.)
I'm glad to hear there was no further damage, and no leaks.
I like having the tank there, but my backhoe seat rubs on it a lot of the time. I keep something between the seat and tank now to avoid the rubbing. John