My new CK 35

[Rowdius]

Well, I didn't take any "clean" pics... just didn't seem right. Here is my new CK 35, had 2 hours on it when I bought it.

Pic 1

Pic 2

Here is paddock #3 back in March. Several piles left from when I had access to a dozer, along with some wood that did not get burned.

Pic 3

Got most of the wood out of the way, now to start leveling things a bit
Pic 4

Smoother, but not quite there yet. I don't have the new box blade in yet, and the old one is a bit small... but that's okay, I can do it just as well with the loader.
Pic 5

Pic 6

Tomorrow I will knock down the last pile, rake the brush into burn piles, and do the final grade on the paddock.

Old and new
Pic 7

MikePA: Changed HUGE inline pics to links.

 

[JoelD]

Welcome to the pack.

Great pics.

Only problem is, where's the rocks?

Have safe fun.

Joel

 

[Rowdius]

lol, if you want I'll trade you some sand for some rocks.

 

[JoelD]

Ahhhh, if it were only that easy, if it were only that easy.

I literally have more rocks than soil.

How my forefathers did not starve to death I'll never know.

Sure makes diggin an adventure though.

Have fun with your new machine, Kioti makes a good tractor.

Joel

 

[Cyberroc]

Congrats on the new Machine!!! Funny thing, I got a new CK35 this week also.

Dont worry about the 2 hours, its pretty much standard. Figure at least 1-2 hours for test time by Kioti (I believe all tractors will have at least one hour from the factory). The second hour is usually put on by the shop during the build/testing and loading/unloading for delivery.

I was able to see mine still in the crate and watch the build progress; which only took a few days. At time of delivery it had 2 hours on it as well and I would be suspicious if it did not.

I only have about 4 or 5 hours of my own in already and cant wait to get more! Congrats again, I can believe how well these things are built and yet ride so smooth.

*EDIT* Forgot to ask, are you sticking the bucket as you back grade or are you using the float option?

.

 

[Dmace]

Congrats on the purchase and Welcome to the Pack!

The boxblade will make a big difference when it comes to grading that sand. The first time I used mine, I pulled up the rippers and lengthened the top link so the rear blade would smooth and boy what a great job it did.


I have tried it with the loader in float position but it does not do much unless you have a lot of weight in the bucket. A large rock usually takes care of that.


Click thumbnails for larger images.

 

[Rowdius]

Dont worry about the 2 hours, its pretty much standard. Figure at least 1-2 hours for test time by Kioti (I believe all tractors will have at least one hour from the factory). The second hour is usually put on by the shop during the build/testing and loading/unloading for delivery.

lol, I was more bragging than griping, if it had had 100 hours on it, I'd still been happy.

*EDIT* Forgot to ask, are you sticking the bucket as you back grade or are you using the float option?

.

It really depends on what I am doing. I actually do more of my fine grading going forward than back, with about half a bucket full of material. Really, in most cases, the only reason I backdrag in float is not to waste the time I'm using to back up, to take care litte windrows. If I'm doing my fine grading, I do not dump the bucket after each pass, a full bucket cuts much smoother, and adding a little tilt to things as you are scraping will help fill in low spots as you grade.

Really, the key is to get the ground under your wheels level. Then set your angle of attack, and make sure the weight of the machine is not on (mostly) the bucket. For example, most buckets have a little play at the pins. Next time you are doing some work, set your bucket on the ground with what ever angle of attack you want, even have the blade at 45 degrees to the ground. Then slowly, slowly raise the bucket. Before the blade comes off the ground, you'll see a little play in the bucket, and that will tell you that the weight of the bucket might be on the ground, but the weight of the machine in on the wheels. This will allow you to grade (going forward) smoothly and without gouging the ground. Of course it is not exactly that simple, but it gives you the idea. I've always believed that backdragging is fine, but if I cannot cut it smooth, then backdragging is really only covering up problems, not really fixing them... unless the soil is of the right moisture, etc, etc, etc.

How have you liked your CK-35? I've been pretty impressed by mine so far. About my only gripe is that I'd like to have a little bigger bucket.

 

[Rowdius]

Great photos, I bet you really like having that front glass when loading trucks, but then, I've always enjoyed the taste of dirt.

Congrats on the purchase and Welcome to the Pack!

The boxblade will make a big difference when it comes to grading that sand. The first time I used mine, I pulled up the rippers and lengthened the top link so the rear blade would smooth and boy what a great job it did.


I have tried it with the loader in float position but it does not do much unless you have a lot of weight in the bucket. A large rock usually takes care of that.


Click thumbnails for larger images.

 

[Rowdius]

Well, I put a couple more hours on the ck today.



Finished raking for now, pushed it up into a burn pile.
Pic 1

Of course I've got to clear and grub out this next section sometime or another:
Pic 2


This is the end product for now. Later this year I will use the tiller to mix in some composted manure if I can afford to haul it in, and then plant wheat for winter grazing. There are still a couple of bigger stumps I have to dig out on the far end of the paddock, and along the left edge of the photo. Wished I could afford a backhoe
Pic 3


And this is where we started:
Pic 4

MikePA: Changed HUGE inline pics to links.